This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a commission if you make a purchase through our affiliate link at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Gathering tablescape ideas for your Mother’s Day meal? This post will cover how to set up this modern Mother’s Day table setting, complete with links to find just about everything shown!
As a mom and daughter, Mother’s Day often pulls double duty. Some of the day is just for me – and some is devoted to spending time with my mom and mother in-law. I enjoy it and am so happy to have these amazing women in my life!
When I thought about how I might want to set up a table this year for a meal with mom, I found myself gravitating toward soft earth tones. I searched high and low for the perfect watercolor floral napkin, which ended up being the jumping off point for the rest of the design.
I’ll share with you how I set up this Mother’s Day tablescape, including tips and links to where you can find just about everything in this look – so you can set the table in your own home!
I’ll share with you how I set up this Mother’s Day tablescape, including tips and links to where you can find just about everything in this look – so you can set the table in your own home!
This post is all about Mother’s Day table setting ideas.
Linens
I mentioned in the intro that the napkins were the jumping off point for this tablescape. I’m not kidding when I say a semi-ridiculous amount of time was spent searching for the perfect napkin. The criteria were 1) earth tones, 2) watercolor print, and 3) cotton material. Finally, I found them!
To me, these are so pretty and perfect for summer entertaining. The print is sort of tropical with hints of copper and ocre.
AND the napkins are reversible, with the opposite side being a green geometric print. Two looks in one!
I folded the napkins in a fan shape, and then secured it with these delicate gold napkin rings. Their light airy design allows the floral print to shine. These are a recent add to my collection, and I’m excited to have them in my collection.
While we’re on the subject on linens, the tablecloth is a familiar favorite on this blog – a cotton-linen blend in flax. While the exact one is no longer available, I’ll link another option for you in the “Shop the Post” section below.
Mother’s Day Centerpiece
Next let’s talk centerpiece. I went out on a limb – literally and figuratively – in this look. Yes, it includes magnolia branches. But it’s also not linear. Or symmetrical. Gasp!
(I’d love to know in the comments what you think? Did it work? Or was it a huge fail?)
The centerpiece has three components – 1) a footed bowl, 2) a ceramic vase, and 3) a brass candlestick holder.
First, let’s take a moment to appreciate this amazing piece of modern art – also called a pedestal bowl. The shape. The terra-cotta clay material. It’s just perfection. Plain and simple.
To pick up on the reddish copper-y tones in the napkins, fresh ripe pomegranates were added to the bowl. Fruit as decor is a-ok in my opinion – especially if you are very intentional about placement. Oh, and use odd numbers of fruit. That is more pleasing to the eye. Here, we used 5 pomengranets.
Okay, moving on to the ceramic vase. This white vase is unfortunately no longer available, but I’ll link a similar option in the “Shop the Post” section below. Magnolia branches from my garden were clipped for this photoshoot. I will say, they wilted quite quickly. So, if you aren’t blessed with a magnolia bush as we are – you can use any pretty floral branch. I’ll link to a faux magnolia option for you at the end of this post.
Lastly, I pulled in some shine with this unusually shaped brass candlestick holder. The holder is one unit that holds two candlesticks. The taper candles are bees wax, which tied in with the ocre shades in the napkins.
I grouped the three components so they were slightly out of line and overlapping one another. This seemed to balance the asymmetry (ironically).
Placesetting
Next, let’s go over the placesetting for this Mother’s Day look – the charger, plates, and cutlery.
The acacia chargers are an oldie but goodie wood plate. I’ve had these for quite some time, and wrote about them on this post about a blue and rattan Easter table.
Using my everyday white plates, I stacked the salad plate on top of the dinner plate, for some added dimension. Then placed the napkin on top of them.
The cutlery is matte gold. I found them last summer when I was planning this tropical themed dinner party and have enjoyed using them ever since!
Above the table is a place card in a gold triangle holder. These holders are fantastic. They come in a large pack at a reasonable price – perfect if you’re planning a larger event.
Glassware
Lastly, the glassware. Or should I say, copper ware? I LOVE these mule mugs and thought they would be a fun twist on traditional glassware. Mules for moms! I don’t recall the exact brand, but will link a similar option below.
Garnishing the mules was almost as exciting to me as setting the table! I used a slice of lime and a generous bunch of mint in each mug. In reality, a straw might be helpful for guests. So, you could consider adding that to your tablescape.
Mules can easily be made sans alcohol. Check out these recipes for mocktail – and cocktail – ideas!
The mules were placed on coasters so they wouldn’t sweat all over the tablecloth. Unfortunately, failed to plan far enough in advance and did not have six of the same coasters. So, instead I alternated what was on hand – slate and agate coasters. Sometimes in hosting, you have to improvise!
Lastly, for water I pulled out basic clear wine glasses. The place settings needed the height, and who doesn’t feel just a little fancier drinking water from a stemmed glass!?
Shop the Post
- Place card holders | 2. Plates | 3. Cutlery | 4. Taper Candles | 5. Napkins | 6. Footed Bowl | 7. Mule Mugs | 8. Napkin Rings | 9. Candle Holder | 10. Vase | 11. Faux Magnolia Branch | 12. Charger Plate | 13. Tablecloth
I hope you enjoyed this look into my Mother’s Day table setting and that it gave you lots of ideas and inspiration to treat your mom to a beautiful meal – and, more importantly, shared memories of time spent together!
Before you go – If you liked this tablescape, be sure to check out the tablescape section on my site for more.
And don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest if you don’t already so you won’t miss out on what’s catching my eye and new content from my posts. Hope to see you there – and back here sometime soon!
Cheers!