I run Divine Home & Office, a Denver-based interior design and staging firm, and I've designed countless tablescapes and entertaining spaces. Here's how I'd approach each theme with specific styling tips: For **70s retro**, think warm amber glassware and brass candlesticks with burnt orange napkins. I always use varying candle heights to create that intimate, groovy lighting--swap overhead lights for table lamps and candles like we do for cozy Thanksgiving gatherings. Add a macrame table runner and serve cocktails in vintage coupe glasses. **Murder mystery/Gothic** calls for deep burgundy linens with matte black candle holders--I love mixing textures here. Use pewter chargers, dark florals like deep red roses, and dim lighting with pillar candles at varying heights. The key is layering rich fabrics and metallic accents to create drama. For **Regency glamor**, layer your place settings starting with gold chargers, fine china, and cloth napkins with neat rings. I always tell clients that mixing metallic accents lifts any tablescape--use gold flatware and crystal stemware. Create a statement centerpiece with white flowers in a silver urn, and don't forget personalized name cards on small cream cardstock. **New England charm** is about blue and white striped table runners with white dinnerware and navy napkins. Add natural elements like small potted herbs or driftwood pieces as centerpieces. **Harvest/farm-to-table** should incorporate mini pumpkins, pinecones, and fresh herbs directly from your garden--I often use rosemary sprigs tucked into napkin rings for both decoration and aroma.
Here's my take for all seven, with ideas you can lift straight into a shoot or a menu. 1- For a 70s retro vibe, lean into warm pools of light, swag a pendant low, add ribbed amber glass, then serve bite-size classics like prawn cocktail, fondue, and a round of Negronis on a mirrored tray, the soundtrack is disco and soul. 2- Murder mystery with a touch of Gothic wants drama, think deep tablecloths, black taper candles, cut crystal, oxblood napkins, and a moody strings playlist, pass small plates that feel indulgent, like beef carpaccio or truffled mushrooms. 3- Regency glamour reads candlelight, polished silver, and footed compotes piled with grapes and pears, layer fine china with simple white linens, add handwritten place cards, and play a chamber ensemble mix. 4- New England charm is crisp and coastal, blue and white tableware, striped runners, rope napkin rings, bowls of lemons, serve oysters, chowder shooters, and a butter-basted roast fish, keep the playlist light folk and soft rock. 5- Harvest and farm to table should feel generous and seasonal, a linen runner, mismatched stoneware, bud vases with dahlias or herbs, a menu written on kraft paper, serve roast squash with sage, a grain salad, and an apple galette. 6- Bringing the outdoors in is all about scent and texture, set potted herbs at each place as take-home favors, use green glassware and botanical linens, add citrus branches or ferns down the center, pour a herbal spritz and keep the music airy. 7- Southern comforts shines when the food lands oven to table, think cast iron on trivets, enamelware, and family-style bowls, one pot mains like shrimp and grits or braised short ribs, a sweet tea bar, and a little blues. Quick furniture note from my world, a round pedestal table keeps legs out of the way so conversation and serving flow. Happy to email high-res styled images for each theme if you can provide it - hope this helps!