Mastering the art of designing beautiful tablescapes enables us to offer our guests a variety of table settings. We use charger plates to set a beautiful table. We regularly change the look of our breakfast presentations at Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast. When I graduated from college I took a job teaching home economics in a Christian School in Eastern Pennsylvania. At the time, Lenox offered an annual table setting competition. What fun I had encouraging my students to design and submit their themed tablescapes. Several of them won the cup and saucer prizes, and I still use a beautiful serving tray the company sent me for having multiple winners. At least one of my students, Lois, had maintained an interest in beautiful tablescapes. We stay in touch on Facebook and she often shares beautiful tablescapes that she finds.

Beautiful Hartington China and Waterford Crystal at Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast, Jacksonville, IL

No hotel in town sets a beautiful table like we do at Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast! One of the easiest, and often least expensive, ways to change the appearance of a tablescape is to change out the charger plate. Charger plates aren’t designed to hold food; they are used for decoration. Here at Blessings on State, the charger serves as the decorative foundation as we serve a variety of courses. We have several charger plate options, and they vary greatly in both the appearance of the charger and the impact on the place setting. Chargers come in many different colors and materials. They can provide texture to a place setting. They also can vary greatly in price. One might choose a delicately hand-painted wood charger from Italy for $100 or a bright shiny red charger from a dollar store for $1. The red charger used in the featured blog photo is plastic, and not at all expensive.

In this video, our assistant Kelly demonstrates how changing just one item – the charger plate – can change the whole look of your place setting. Please follow along as we share our work here at Blessings on State. We hope that you will be inn-spired to use some of these ideas in your own home!

Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast ~ Jacksonville, Illinois
About Blessings on State Bed & Breakfast

Experience a stay in our award-winning Bed & Breakfast located in a magnificently restored 130-year-old mansion in the heart of the historic district. Pampered luxury is our goal, to delight both business and leisure travelers. We offer two upscale guest suites, each with private sitting rooms and private baths. We provide multi-course gourmet breakfasts, 24/7 family-friendly hot and cold beverages and snacks, and cookies and milk at bedtime. Wi-Fi is available throughout our home and each suite has a digital satellite TV and all-season fireplace. We are located just steps away from Illinois College, the Governor Duncan Mansion and Illinois School for the Deaf and our neighborhood is highlighted on one of Jacksonville’s historic walking tours. Escape the standard hotel room and enjoy your own private suite in the finest Jacksonville area lodging. Book direct for the best rates.

Many thanks to Steve at Steve Weber Films for his collaboration on our video projects.