The Art of Setting a Table

Maine boutique owners share their dinner party style tips

Gathering around the table with friends and loved ones is what makes dinner parties and holidays so special. Set the scene for your festive feasts with locally made home goods found at Maine’s many artful year-round retail districts and shops. Here, we share inspiration, expert style ideas and product picks from Maine’s local boutique owners on how to set the perfect winter table.

Opt for small-scale décor.

Table centerpieces and floral arrangements add distinctive style, but they should be low enough for dinner guests to make conversation across the table. Try low-profile accents such as fresh pine garlands from a Maine tree farm, colorful gourds or hardy fruits from a winter farmers market, short candles or slender taper candles, or small decorative objects that reflect the season.

Elevate the dining experience with textiles.

Table linens immediately turn a dining experience into a special occasion. Start with a clean, neutral tablecloth or table runner for your foundation, and add placemats to anchor each place setting while integrating texture, color or even a pattern. Creatively fold cloth napkins for a pop of color and dimension or use napkin rings for an upscale touch.

Balance colors and textures for a curated look.

A harmonious color scheme brings your whole design together, and contrasting textures create a multilayered look. Whether you’re aiming for classic winter whites, a coastal cottage Christmas theme or a cozy ski lodge vibe, mix textures that play to your style, such as linen, natural stones, wood, ceramics, glass or metals.

Arrange silverware mindfully.

From a salad course to freshly shucked Maine oysters, the flatware placed at each setting provides cues to the upcoming meal. Choose utensils to make the dining experience as seamless as possible, and arrange them in the order guests will use them.

Add a personal touch.

Make your guests feel welcome with personalized details including handwritten name cards, custom menus, or even a small party favor to take home, such as mini jars of locally made jam, a tiny tin of Maine sea salt or other goods made by Maine makers.

Where to Shop & Stay

Stock up on everything you need at these independently owned shops in Maine.

Rock Paper Scissors

With all the candles, bowls, serve ware and party decorations on display at this shop in Wiscasset, it’s easy to set the scene for an unforgettable dinner party. Attending a party as a guest? Grab a unique gift and some gorgeous wrapping paper to put together an easy present for the host.

• Stay Nearby: Just a 10-minute drive from Wiscasset’s boutiques, seafood restaurants and picturesque Sheepscot River waterfront, make yourself at home in nearby Newcastle, at the Newcastle Inn. This historic inn touts a daily breakfast with locally sourced ingredients, plus rooms with cozy amenities such as a fireplace, soaking tub and river views.

Center for Maine Craft

Representing more than 300 Maine artists, this retail gallery in West Gardiner features everything from basketry and ceramics to decorative fiber and glasswork made by Maine artists, perfect for truly one-of-a-kind décor.

• Stay Nearby: Less than a 20-minute drive away, escape to the picturesque countryside of Maple Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast, an inn and conference center on the outskirts of Hallowell. Head into town for a bite to eat and to peruse the antique shops along Hallowell’s main thoroughfare.

FOLK

Before your next gathering, browse the curated selection of modern home goods, kitchen accessories and thoughtful gifts at this boutique in Kittery. While you’re here, pick up a set of colorful glassware and a bottle of natural wine to go with it.

• Stay Nearby: Stay along the banks of the Piscataqua River in Kittery at The Water Street Inn, a modern boutique hotel in an 1870s home, and browse the shops of downtown, such as kitchen gifts at Yarrow and housewares at HS Mercantile.

Trove

Form meets function at this artisan boutique in Searsport, where handcrafted home goods like specialty textiles and hand-thrown pottery bring a touch of sophistication into everyday living.

• Stay Nearby: Take in views of Penobscot Bay from the elegant Captain Nickels Inn, a bed-and-breakfast housed in a historic mansion once owned by a sea captain. Then, stroll down Main Street, lined with antique stores and gift shops, and stop into Hey Sailor! for fancy cocktails and vintage vibes.