Tablescape 101: Mixing the old with the new

Keeping your table dynamic with old finds and new updates

Thanksgiving always seems to usher in the holiday season and with it comes silver that needs polishing (see my silver hack here and guide to polishing your antiques and silver here), heels that need resoling, and holiday cards that need addressing.

There are so many guides to holiday tables and you can really spend a small fortune on annual updates. Trust me. One of my favorite things to do with a holiday table is to mix and match old finds with a few updated pieces. To me, this gives a table that extra dimension. The right pieces will spark a conversation and I’ve found that antiques always have stories to tell.

Discover new uses for your pieces. One of my favorite things about old silver is its character. I found the gravy ladle and tongs above at Evergreen Antiques on a trip to Annapolis, MD over the summer. The detailing on these pieces completely sold me. I mixed this ladle with a brand-new silver gravy boat purchased at Williams-Sonoma (on sale here). A vintage oval silver platter completed the look as its stand. A photo of this pairing is in my recent Save vs. Splurge entertaining edition here. It always pays to think outside the box with your old finds.

The straws in the bar setup above are in an old sugar container I found without its lid at an open-air antiques market in Virginia. You’ll find loads of these lidless pieces at great prices just waiting to be given a new purpose. I loved the shape and it’s perfect for this use. The polka dot straws also add a whimsical touch along with the Paper Source tassel wine charms. I am so in love with this acorn ice bucket we found at Gray Antiques‘ store a few months back. They have some fabulous finds and an Instagram feed that is packed with design inspiration.

2. Think outside of perfect sets, when it comes to your vases, candlesticks, china, or flatware. I always keep an eye out for items that would work with what I already have – both old and new. I used vases picked up new from places like Target and Home Goods, as well as a few older ones picked up at antique markets. Don’t overlook thrift shops either. You’d be surprised what people toss out, especially close to year end.

One of my favorite things to mix are old candlesticks. You can do this with brass, silver, rose gold…really, the sky’s the limit. I especially love it with brass. Make sure you use candlesticks of varying heights to avoid a one-note table.

3. Keep your table from looking static by mixing in the right new pieces. A new, matching tabletop certainly has its place, of course, but mixing new finds with old ones adds an extra dimension to your spread. I mixed the new gold chargers above (under $10 for six) and our gold-rimmed china and crystal with beautiful antique silver flatware found recently and a mix of different brass candlesticks – as well as my great-grandmother’s silver candlesticks. It created a beautiful look.