Tablescapes: Artwork, Lamps, and Books

click thumbnails for larger pics

The art of arrangement can be tricky, but there's one formula that works almost every time. Framed artwork + a handsome table lamp + a stack of coffee table books = instant tablescape. We've seen this formula brought to life in countless house tours, catalogs, and magazines...

Each one of the photos above expresses a different relationship between the three components. Some have a cluster of artwork with just one or two books, others showcase a vintage lamp alongside more modern art. Most of them feature the artwork as the star of the arrangement, with lamps and books as supporting cast members. For more, click on the links below:

• 1 Apartment by Phoebe Howard
• 2 Kathleen and Alex's Guest-Ready Condo
• 3 Country Living
• 4 The Fahden's Clearly Clean and Simple
• 5 Tine K Catalog

Comments (5)

Easy to do and easy to look contrived or retail like most of these. The trick is so it looks effortless, the items look like the have been together for years, harmony and interest.

posted by LoriSF on March 25th 2009 at 11:39am
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Can we use "arrangement" or "tableau" instead?

"Tablescapes" makes me think of the dreaded Sandra Lee and her silk flowers.

http://www.semihomemade.com/tablescapes/

posted by heather77 on March 25th 2009 at 12:27pm
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Apparently Nate Berkus is selling "ready-made" tablescapes on the Home Shopping Network starting in April. Isn't that cheating?

posted by arcgrrl on March 25th 2009 at 1:35pm
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i don't like a bunch of superfluous stuff just sitting around. things need to have purpose.

posted by tabithacat on March 25th 2009 at 1:47pm
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Agreed! Purpose. My bf puts lots of little tchotchkes along the shelves of his side of the bookcase. It's impossible to dust or remove a book without rearranging every little thing. Just too much clutter for me.

As AbFab sagely said "Surfaces dahling! Surfaces!"

posted by Modfan on March 26th 2009 at 11:30am
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