How to Create a Tablescape Inspired by HGTV’s 'Table Wars'

Taking inspiration from the show's winning designs, DIYer Ursula Carmona shares her budget-friendly tips and tricks for creating a similar look on your own tablescape.

November 15, 2021

By: Keri Sanders

Show: Table Wars

Related To:

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Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Photo By: Stephanie Diani

Photo By: Brittney Gazaway

Table Wars: The Look for Less

If you love the winning looks from HGTV's Table Wars, you'll love these budget-friendly recreations designed by DIYer Ursula Carmona, the creative mind and blogger behind Home Made by Carmona. Read more about Ursula here. Then check out her smart designs and DIY tips you can recreate in your own home.

Watch the Video: A Handy Home Blogger's House of DIYs

Episode 1: Opposites Attract

As seen on the "Opposites Attract" episode of Table Wars, contestants Rachel Burt Garcia and Wilfredo Emanuel created this tablescape around the theme "Day/Night." Ursula chose to focus on the day side, creating her own bright and sunny tablescape with loads of color and texture.

Crafting the Centerpiece

“For this centerpiece, I’ve chosen to use dried flowers,” explains Ursula. “Part of the perk of a dried flower is simply that it lasts. Dried florals like lavender really add a beautiful scent to your bouquet.” To create the centerpiece, Ursula started with a wide-mouthed bowl placed on a lazy Susan. She then added folded chicken wire to the bowl to hold her stems in place. You can get a similar effect using clear tape as a grid on the bowl’s opening. From there, Ursula simply used her longest stems at the bottom, building inward until she achieved her ideal look.

Place Setting Inspiration

In the original "Day/Night" table, texture and florals play a major role, and Ursula plays that up with her layered place setting.

Perfectly Paired Place Setting

Ursula added a pop of color with bright green place mats topped with floral dinner plates. To add even more interest, she topped the look with textured glass salad plates. "Now tell me that's not gorgeous!" says Ursula.

A Touch of Glam

"You can't go wrong with gold flatware," says Ursula. "And this hammered texture? I love it!"

Folded Napkin Inspiration

Green rose napkins had a major moment on the original Table Wars tablescape, so Ursula opted to recreate the look in bright pink.

Rose-Colored Napkin

“Napkins are a great way to zhoosh up your place setting," says Ursula. While you can buy napkins in your color choice, Ursula used fabric dye to get the exact shade of pink she wanted to complement her color scheme. Check out the video below to learn how to recreate the rose shape.

Watch the Video: How to Recreate 'Table Wars' Dayside Table

The Final Product

“Saving a buck doesn’t mean sacrificing design," explains Ursula. "And with a little creativity and resourcefulness, you’ve got yourself a stylish tablescape." The finished product is bright, cheery and ready for a dinner party!

Watch the Video: How to Recreate 'Table Wars' Dayside Table

Episode 2: Winter Wonderland

On the "Winter Wonderland" episode of Table Wars, contestant Jenevieve Penk delighted the judges with a garden gnome-inspired tablescape that featured a suspended Christmas tree and all the glitz and glam one expects in a holiday showstopper.

Close-Up Inspiration

Close up, we see how Jenevieve layered various shades of green and blue to add instant holiday vibes. Additionally, organic elements blend beautifully with glamorous metallics for the truly festive feel that inspired Ursula's budget-friendly recreation.

Scavenged Centerpiece

With this table, Ursula's main objective was to recreate the magic of the original tablescape, focusing on creating a cozy holiday vibe with plenty of sparkle and seasonal greenery. “I love fresh greenery for a tablescape," she says. "I’m always running out to my garden and clipping little bits here and there for my tables. You can’t beat free, and the smell of fresh-cut evergreens is sure to bring the holidays to your table.” To create your own evergreen garland, consider boxwood, cedar, cypress, pine or magnolia. A mix of several is even better! Once you have your greenery, simply tie clippings together using floral tape or wire.

Sprinkle In Some Sparkle

“I’m bringing the glow and ambiance to the holidays with these teak taper candles, because what are the holidays without a little sparkle?“ says Ursula. To mimic the look, start with tapered candles in varying heights and coat the bottom portion in craft glue. Sprinkle with glitter and allow to fully dry before adding to your candle holder. For a perfectly straight line, use tape before adding glue.

Edible Eye Candy

“Food can also double as part of your decor, and bonus? I love that this dusting reminds me of a magical winter snow," says Ursula.

Place Setting Inspiration

As seen on Table Wars, layers of glitter and color created the perfect holiday place setting that inspired Ursula's recreation in the next slide.

Blue Christmas

“Some people think of green for the winter season," says Ursula. "But we really want to embrace some of those blue undertones in addition to our greens, just like in the inspiration.”

The Final Product

"When I think of winter, I always think of cool-tone colors, holiday shapes, greenery and a whole lot of sparkle," explains Ursula. "This holiday tablescape brings my winter wonderland vision to life. And by using foraged greens and homemade holiday pieces, it doesn't break the bank.”

Watch the Video: How to Recreate 'Table Wars' Winter Wonderland Table

Episode 3: Decades

As seen on the "Decades" episode of Table Wars, contestant Wilfredo Emanuel was tasked with channeling the 1920s. Using large architectural elements, multi-layered floral arrangements and plenty of gold, black and white, he impressed the judges and brought his glam art deco vision to life.

Centerpiece Inspiration

A closer view of the decor reveals a dramatic centerpiece, striking gold pieces and soft candle lighting, which serve as the inspiration for Ursula's design.

Center of Attention

For her DIY version of the original table's centerpiece, Ursula chose to focus on the feathers. Starting with a wide-brimmed vase, she filled it with a ball of chicken wire to hold the feathers in place. To add a little bling, as Ursula did here, simply use a touch of spray adhesive on the end of your feathers and sprinkle them with gold glitter. “I’m not afraid to use a little glam in my design," says Ursula. "I like a little sparkle, and I like a lot of drama. I don’t often have a chance to work with feathers, but I’m glad I did this time because there’s something really sassy about them, don’t you think?"

Setting the Scene

A jet-black tablecloth serves as the ideal backdrop to allow the glitzy place setting and centerpiece to pop. “Part of the appeal of art deco is the unique pieces," explains Ursula. "So, in this case, we’ve got a beautiful gold-rimmed set that will look great for everyday use, but it really helps set the stage for our theme."

All in the Details

Since the starburst motif gained popularity in the art deco era, these glasses were the perfect choice to drive the theme home.

The Final Product

“Pretty things don’t have to be expensive, and this table is proof of that," says Ursula. "We just recreated the glamorous art deco look of the original design for a fraction of the cost. Our homemade feather centerpiece steals the show, adding movement and elegance. The color palette is simple, but black and gold? They bring glam. And with a touch of texture and ambiance, this is luxury on a budget.”

Watch the Video: How to Recreate 'Table Wars' Art Deco Table

Episode 4: Nature Nuptials

For the "Nature Nuptials" episode of Table Wars, contestant Jenevieve Penk designed her cheery tablescape around the idea of an Amalfi Coast wedding. To get the look, she leaned into a punchy design filled with bright yellow, silk florals and plenty of Italian flare.

Ursula's Ideas

“I just love this Amalfi Coast lemon design," says Ursula. "It really takes you right back to the Italian coast. It’s such a playful table." To mimic the look at home, Ursula chose to focus on a few key factors: lemons, dashes of blue and pattern mixing.

Place Setting Inspiration

The original place settings, seen here, pull in plenty of texture and pattern, resulting in a charming design that feels fun and elegant but not too stuffy.

Going With Gingham

To get a similar look, Ursula started with a yellow gingham tablecloth. “I love how playful and fresh this tablecloth is," she says. "We’re going to have this lemon theme, and that pop of yellow is perfect.” According to Ursula, it's usually easiest to start with the base to get the look and the style that you’re going for and work your way up from there.

Place Setting Perfection

“These placemats are a great way to add texture,” says Ursula, who opted for a natural woven option. From there, she chose a blue patterned plate that ties in beautifully with the chinoiserie vase and a DIY napkin that pulls in the lemon theme perfectly. "I just want to say, don’t be afraid to mix and match your patterns," she says. "It adds visual interest to your tablescape.”

Adding Pattern With Paint

To make your own printed napkins, simply cut a lemon in half and dig out some of the fruit with a spoon to leave just the outline of the lemon. Using a paint brush, add yellow fabric paint directly to the lemon and press down firmly on the napkin. Repeat until you reach your desired look. “It doesn’t have to be perfectly uniform," says Ursula. "Don’t be afraid to vary it up a little bit. The imperfection just lends itself to character."

The Final Product

“We captured the essence of the original design for a fraction of the cost," says Ursula. "This tablescape is great for so many occasions — summer gatherings, bridal showers, brunch with friends — it could even be part of your home’s seasonal table set. By using bright, punchy colors, a few playful patterns, organic elements and a few DIY projects, this tablescpae came out great!”

Watch the Video: How to Recreate 'Table Wars' Amalfi Coast Tablescape

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