Tabletop Styling Sources and Tips

As a Lifestyle Prop Stylist, we are always looking for new trends and styles, color palettes and the classic sources for styling tabletops.  For product shots and some lifestyle shots, I tend to go with classic, beautiful white plates. Depending on brand (& style mission for brand) I go for fun, whimsical and trend and opt for more colorful designs.  Here are my go-to Shops, Sources and Tips for complete tabletop styling.

These are the top items I'm looking for when I style and prop a tabletop.


WHAT TO SOURCE or PURCHASE:  

▪︎ Plating
▪︎ Glassware
▪︎ Utensils
▪︎ Linens (Table/Napkins/Towels)
▪︎ Grounding Items:  Trays, Baskets, 
▪︎ Layering Items:  Chargers, Placemats, Plates
▪︎ Accents:  Vases, Vessels

In getting all these items, my goal is to add texture and layers to the styling.

I say "source" because I also borrow items for photo shoots from brands in addition to purchasing for my clients, and purchasing to have in my prop collection.  I teach you how I do it in our Photo Stylists Guide To Borrowing For Photo Shoots.

SIX THINGS I DO IN EVERY TABLETOP STYLING PHOTO:

(1) Layer. Think: linen or surface, then placement/tray/plating, then layer plating.

(2) Texture.  Add items like woven chargers, placemats, napkins with texture.

(3) Movement. Think: "swirl" a napkin/toweling around/next to plate.

(4) Life.  Add "life" to shoot with florals, fruits, herbs ~ to add a freshness and "life".

(5) Shape. Be mindful of shapes. I love to add a plate that has a "ruffle" to it.  Eyes are drawn to different shapes, this will highlight your food or products.

(6) Star. The product, food, etc. whatever you are styling (selling) is always the "star".  It has to be obvious. You don't want to distract away from that in your style selections. Goal is to "compliment" the product ~ not "distract".

TOP PRIORITY IN PROP COLLECTING

What I have always done as Tabletop Prop Stylist is: collect the basics first.  Collect basic, white/ivory clean line look, a variety of color options and THEN fill in with trends, speciality items, unique pieces. When you have your white plates, you can then fill in your tableshop with color by adding linens, florals and accessories. Food will "pop" on white plating and will be the "star".  Food can of course "pop" on color plating as well, but you have to be mindful not to select plating that will distract the eye from the food. (or the product you're styling)

These are the white plates I use from CB2.  I have/use the entire set of sizes.

Great example of texture on plates. White Plates From Looks Like White.

Plates from Crate and Barrel.  Great example of how eye catching a shape can be with the "ruffle" edging on plate.  Also another example of texture in plating is this matte white dinner plate.

WHERE TO LEARN AND SEE TABLETOP TRENDS

Styling tabletop is an on going, keeping up with the trends on style, designs and palettes.  Every year I go to the lifestyle, home and tabletop trade shows to see them first hand.  It's twofold:  (1) to see the products in person and (2) to establish relationships with the brands.  I talk about in the 5 Best Investments I Have Made In My Prop Styling Business.

Onto some of my favorite sources!

LINENS

I always go for linens that have some type of texture if using tablecloths. Waffle and Gauze Are My Go-To- Fabrics for napkins.  They offer a flowing “movement” to styling tabletop AND texture.  The washed, “lived in” texture adds the “lifestyle” element  to styling food and beverage.  Also think about going to your local fabric store.  If you are styling a tight shot for the camera (or even if you are not) you only need  a small amount.  We have a commercial grade textile company in our area that we go to. We highlighted this tip on our Instagram. Oftentimes, you can get a very high quality, high designer fabric for a fraction of the cost.

Napkins By Quince.

UTENSILS

Love Leif collection and variety of utensils.  They offer small, delicate utensils that are perfect for small plating and vignettes in styling.  Sometimes a traditional size utensil can be too big and “clunky” for a shot.  They have beautiful hammered designs.

Spoons By Leif.

CLASSIC CLEAR GLASSWARE

William Sonoma is where I am going for beautiful, clear glassware where I want the drink to shine and for the liquid to be the focus.  William Sonoma has thin, very clear glass that is perfect for photo styling.  They also offer many type os silhouettes and styles ~ so a great selection to chose from.

COLORED GLASSWARE

Anthropologie and Terrain by Anthropologie is my favorite source for colored glass. A trick of the photo styling trade:  I opt for etched glass when beverage styling because it is very “forgiving” if you are using faux ice.  Faux ice is less noticeable because of the etching, BUT also the etching detail is beautiful for styling.  Another great choice is the colored coupes from Joss and Main. They offer a variety of colors.  Great for beverages and desserts. Want some more detailed beverage styling suggestions? Check out our 15 Tips and Resources From Beverage Stylist To Make Beautiful Drinks.

Colored Flutes by Anthropologie.

Juice glasses by Anthropologie.

Ombre Tumbler by Terrain.

Colored Coupe by Joss and Main.

COLORED DINNERWARE

If I'm styling something for a brand or company with a fun, whimsical colorful vibe ~ I'm going for the color dinnerware and accessories.  These are some of my favorite sources.

Glaze Stoneware Plates by Terrain.  Love that these have a "texture" to them.  They add a "depth" to your images.

Tableware by Hester and Cook.  Great color and great combinations to place together.  They offer different sizes as well as coordinating color pinch bowls. 

Year and a Day offers a complete core set in variety of colors.

TABLETOP ACCENTS

To add the trend or color in photographs, I go to speciality shops.  Here is a favorite: 

Jill Rosenwald is beautiful choice for accents to tabletop or stand alone vessels for tabletop styling.  They offer shopping by color palette, by print and by shape.  Since gingham is on trend, these gingham pinch bowls would be a great style choice for the table.

Bowl by Jill Rosenwald.

FLEA MARKETS, TAG SALES, MARKETS

Many items can be "mass produced" being you may see a lot of them in styling shots.  Sooooooo, I go to the fleas, tag sales and market to get some really unique pieces throughout the year to add to my tabletop prop collection.  Three times a year, I go to the Brimfield Flea Market, one of the biggest in the United States.  These are places I go to find unique items and items that are inexpensive.  For example, being from New England, I have clients who love the traditional new england Thankgiving photo shoots and love the patina and older untensils ~ they are everywhere at the Flea Markets. 

Also, some of the items I collect for tabletop styling is platters, wood bowls, all textiles (here is where you can get some really unique patterns and fabrics) and salt and pepper shakers.  That has come over the years of styling and seeing what clients want and need.  ALSO, I talk a lot on the Blog on the many ways a Stylist can make money and add to their income streams.

One of the ways I do this is offering a "shop style" service, where i go to the markets, photograph items (just using my iphone.) and send to clients to see if they want to purchase.  I set this up beforehand. (Let them know I will be going to the shows and the dates and get list of what they are looking for.)  I do this for both Photographer Studios that have in-house props and for brands with dedicated studios who also have in-house props. Like us Stylists who are always looking to collect for our prop collection, they are too.  For detailed flea market tips, we did a post on Tips For Photo Stylists Sourcing at Flea Markets.

If you want to learn more about the tools, products, and tips of lifestyle and food styling we have a 1 hour video and checklist.

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 Bonnie ~