Want to know what makes us swoon? Designing a seasonal tablescape, that’s what.

Here at Central Square Florist, we know that this time of year calls for a massive update of our dining table, and not just for the big day in November. We’re refreshing linens, plateware and decor, as well as repairing the upholstery on chairs, polishing up some china and ensuring that we’ve got everything placed in the sideboard in prep for some holiday hosting. And while these tasks may seem a little mundane, one that is not is designing the overall look of the table. Or, as it’s often called, the tablescape.

The direction of your tablescape will be dictated by your centerpiece, which is the one item on the table that captures the mood and spirit of the event at hand. Formal, informal or somewhere in between, your centerpiece signals to your guests what kind of an occasion it is. The tablescape follows suit. So if you place Autumn Roses at the center of your meal, for instance, you’re conveying a sense of grace. The roses express elegance and romance, while the eucalyptus and other greenery provides contrast. A few berries added in provide interest.

A tablescape around this centerpiece could include a soft, swirling runner made of a lightweight fabric. Votives in amber glass or taper candles flanking either side of the roses. Add richly-colored napkins or a deconstructed runner of red and orange leaves down the center of the table, which will pick up the hues of the roses. If you follow the lead of the centerpiece, you can’t go wrong.