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You're Styling Your Tables All Wrong—Shea McGee Reveals How to Fix It
Including the pieces that make any guest feel welcome.
Shea McGee, founder of Studio McGee, knows that the key to a show-stopping tablescape is layering. An over-styled table will make your guests feel like they’re at a museum rather than a dinner table. But your setting shouldn’t feel flat, either. Contrast is crucial. In her newly released cookbook, she reveals some of her best gathering tips, so we chatted with her about how to make the center of the party feel inviting.
“In Around the Table, I talk about how over the years I’ve built what I like to call a pantry of linens — versatile pieces in soft, neutral tones that I can mix and match, so I’m never starting from scratch when I host.” With soft, beautiful linen, there’s plenty of room to add contrast in your table decor and serveware. That’s how you accomplish that collected look.
McGee loves florals that feel gathered, rather than arranged. “One of my favorite ways to do that is with a row of small bud vases down the center of the table instead of one large arrangement,” McGee says. “It feels simple and charming, and it keeps everything open so you can actually see and talk across the table.”
McGee loves when her tables feel gathered, rather than staged. But when she’s in the mood to compose a specific floral arrangement, she leans into a mix of textures. “Something soft and delicate paired with a little bit of foraged greenery. Even a few clippings from the garden or a sprig of rosemary can make it feel finished.”
The biggest mistake she sees people make in their tablescapes, though? When everything sits at the same height, flattening the table’s story. “There’s no movement, no sense of layering,” McGee says. Luckily, this is an easy fix: just start varying your heights. You don’t have to get the tallest flower vase known to man, but a few well-placed trays and taper candles go a long way.
“Use a cake stand to lift a serving piece, stack a bread board or two to create a lower riser, let your candlesticks do the work on one end, and a small floral arrangement anchors the other. It doesn’t have to be complicated, but that variation gives the table rhythm and makes it feel more considered,” she says.
Ready to find your favorite pieces to layer your dinner table? McGee shared some of her hosting go-tos below, from a dreamy tablecloth to the feast-ready table itself.
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Your choice of tablecloth sets the tone for your gathering right away, and this is one of McGee’s favorites. “I love to style with a signature print or pattern each season — Arboretum is my go-to for spring,” McGee says. “A great linen really does so much of the work for you. A natural runner or tablecloth can instantly ground the table and set the tone for everything else. It’s the same way I approach interiors — it always comes back to the foundation.”
Adding height with some candles can add major dimension to your table, without getting in the way of conversation. “Layering in a few Neeva Glass & Silver Tealight Lamps just elevates everything,” McGee says.
Don’t forget about your plates. These patterned serveware will make your favorite recipes shine. “I can’t resist statement serveware—the Honor Serving Platter is one I always reach for,” McGee says.
If you need to bring the dinner party outdoors, you should have a stylish way to transport utensils to and from the kitchen. “For outdoor entertaining, I keep things a little more relaxed but still intentional,” McGee says. “The Rattan Utensil Caddy is such a simple swap from formal place settings.”
A little texture elevates even the simplest cutlery. “I like to mix materials, so it doesn’t feel too matched: something woven, something a little more polished, something matte,” McGee says.
McGee loves to pair these stout goblets with the above serving set to really pull the table together, without anything feeling too fussy. “When everything feels balanced and a little restrained, the whole experience just works better,” McGee says. “The table is the stage, not the show. Everything should complement rather than compete.”
As important as your tablecloth is, the table itself is your true foundation. “At home, I love styling the Phipps Dining Table,” McGee says. “It has turned legs and a honey oak finish that's beautiful on its own, so it doesn't take much to make it feel complete.”
And if you need a table for the great outdoors, find one made of a weather-resistant material like moisture-wicking teak. “If you're investing in one outdoor piece, I always recommend the Linwood Teak Dining Table — it’s a staple, and features a self-storing butterfly extension leaf, so there’s always room for extra guests,” McGee says.
Little details like a cute butter dish are welcome on any table. It’s hand-painted for extra charm and thoughtfulness. “I always include something with a bit
of character—a handmade piece or a linen that’s been softened over time. Those
are the details that make it feel relaxed and like it’s meant to be used, not just looked at,” McGee says.
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