Creative inspiration from a stylist who designs contest-winning tablescapes.
Laura Chubineh has turned her love of creating unique, interesting tablescapes for her family into something thousands of her social-media followers now emulate. Sharing her ideas through the seasons has garnered Laura national media attention. In fact, she was the winner of our first tablescape contest! After hundreds of tablescape submissions were narrowed down to the Top 10, our community selected Laura’s red, white and blue tablescape as their favorite. We couldn’t resist sharing several more of her summertime tables because we know you will find them as inspiring as we do!
![pears as centerpiece of floral tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4373.jpg)
![floral tablecloth and pears and bouquets as accents for summer tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_4282.jpg)
![aerial view of red white and blue summer tablescape with hydrangeas and carnations](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_2292.jpg)
![4th of July side table decor with small flags and plate of blueberries and strawberries](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_1645.jpg)
![red white and blue bouquets for summer tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_2327.jpg)
![gingham and wedgewood style blue and white plates](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_2556.jpg)
![lemons and orange with yellow and green accents for summer tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_1747.jpg)
![citrus themed summer tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_1797.jpg)
![summer tablescape with citrus theme](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_17202.jpg)
![white lilies and oranges in central bouquet in citrus themed tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_1728.jpg)
![outdoor tablescape with orange and blue color scheme](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/FD393E70-A610-4233-9599-6791F0EEE414.jpg)
![outdoor summer tablescape with fruit layered into bouquet of hydrangeas](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/IMG_2030.jpg)
![orange and blue tablescape](https://www.cottagesandbungalowsmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/76884448-6065-4DE3-99D6-D4AC8227D1DD2.jpg)
Laura’s Tips for Top-Notch Tables
- I always love to blend old and new. Displaying vintage and modern elements adds so much more interest to the tablescape.
- I usually start with the centerpiece and then match my plates and place settings to that. If I’m doing a large, detailed centerpiece, I keep the settings a bit simpler.
- Always layer! I add a variety of elements around my centerpiece as well as layering my plates and even placemats on top of my tablecloth. Adding a fun element on each plate is also a special touch I try not to miss.
- For my summer tables, I make as much use of fresh fruit as possible. Not only are they bright, cheery and easy to find, you can always eat them later! Try lemons, limes, apples, oranges, pears and strawberries. I even add them to my floral bouquets by placing them on long wooden skewers.
- For a touch of “glam,” I lean toward candles of all sorts, tiered trays and multiple bouquets.
- When I style my indoor dining table, I make sure to coordinate my sideboard with my table.
- Experiment with your designs by creating quick sketches on paper. In addition, find and collect ideas online via magazines, Instagram, Pinterest and blogs to keep your table-styling fresh.
Love Laura’s tablescapes? Follow her on Instagram @thespilledsugar and see her Christmas tablescapes over here. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration!