Kelly McGauley. Photos: Chris Emeott
Leona Rose Interiors curates a distinctive holiday tablescape that embraces family and tradition.
To be a holiday host is to take on an important role in the seasonal landscape. And while the responsibility may bring a modicum of stress, it presents an opportunity to whip up some holiday magic.
Comfort food will undoubtedly be a fixture of the festivities, elevated by exceptional presentation and décor. For our holiday issue, Leona Rose Interiors owner Kelly McGauley created a tablescape at the home of Kowalski’s Markets CEO Kris Kowalski Christiansen, using new and heirloom items. The result is fun, festive and tailored to the Kowalski family’s traditions.
We connected with McGauley to learn her approach to creating a holiday tablescape that elevates and accommodates an abundance of victuals.
How do you approach the planning and curating process? What are some logistics to keep in mind?
With the Kowalskis, we started with some initial communication. What do you have that we could utilize? How large is the table? How many place settings? Do you have place settings that you want to utilize? How are you serving? Do you want to do family style? Buffet style? Keep in mind conversation [when selecting items]; we want some height to make it interesting, but the height has to be see-through versus blocking. You want to be able to see the people across from you. So, that’s how we start, and then we take Lorraine, our van, and we fill her up with options to supplement so that we can be efficient in our time, as well.
For the minimalist, what items are non-negotiable for a tablescape?
At a minimum, you want to have your place settings because we need to accomplish what we’re there for, right? You need a meal. But then you want to incorporate some items to create some softness and some tactile interest with nice tablecloths, nice linen or cotton napkins. Add just a little bit of greenery to speak to what the holiday is. It might be just a simple napkin ring that’s done in garland with a little bow. The end. A couple of candles—and it’s simple. It’s easy. I think it doesn’t need much more than [a few] well-appointed items.
For the maximalist, what can be left out?
I don’t always need the big floral arrangement. It can be really successful, but how are you executing it? It’s all in how it’s executed, versus what it is.
What color palettes are you drawn to for the holidays?
The traditional red and green is always nice, but if you don’t want to go that route, I would go neutral with a little bit of metallic. Less is more. When you keep a nice, neutral color palette, it lets other things become more important. The people become more important, the furnishings, the china, the goblets. You have to make sure, when you’re doing any kind of design, who is the lead singer? Who are the backup singers? And making sure that everybody’s playing their part appropriately.
What is your favorite way to elevate a tablescape?
I love repetition. For example, let’s say we’re using eucalyptus leaves. [Add] more eucalyptus leaves, more eucalyptus leaves! Lots of the same thing, and then lots more of the same candlesticks up and down, so it’s repetition. The same items, just repeat them over and over.
How do you balance a lush tablescape with family-style meals?
There isn’t one correct answer for everything, and it’s about the ability to think outside the box and create new ways of making something work. One of the thoughts that I had with this particular project is to incorporate tiered items [to] create some interest, and we have different bowls that sit on those, so they have a home once they go around the table. [Another approach] is to have a cart off to the side, pass dishes around, and then set them back on the cart.
Where else in the home can hosts look to extend their seasonal décor?
Where will the guests be in your home? In your initial entryway, I would definitely add a little something there. You want to make sure that you’ve touched on the powder room because almost every one of your guests will be there once or twice. You could decorate every single room in the house if you want to, but if you’re really trying to focus on just a few and doing it well, make sure it’s the areas where your guests will be.
Bring something new to the table this Thanksgiving with two holiday recipes from the Kowalski’s Markets team.
Leona Rose Interiors offers holiday styling services for the entire home.
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