How to Tablescape, Choosing the Right Goblet Colors for Your Table Setting Collection
I have been tablescaping for many years now and along the way I have learned a few things. When I started setting tables by themes, I chose goblets for my tables based purely on what color I needed, how easy it would be to find the same six or twelve goblets that I would need for that table setting quickly, and the purchase price. Most of my purchases came from Ebay, HomeGoods, and Pier 1 (our store is now closed) because I usually try to buy tablescaping items in sets of 6 or 12 (there are 12 in our extended family) and those sources were the easiest and most inexpensive to use to find what I was looking for. A large percentage of my tablescaping purchases since the beginning have been done online because there just aren’t enough stores in my area with the merchandise that I need in stock and I don’t have the time to wander around looking for things. My purchases are a mixture of old and new products but many of them are made on the secondary market (used). At the beginning, I bought several goblet sets on Ebay that were discontinued, sometimes a few goblets at a time. Some goblet sets were vintage (at least 20 years old). Estate sales and garage sales have been other great sources for goblets as well. Dollar stores often have glass and plastic goblets in many colors and the price can’t be beat! These days it is difficult to determine what is glass and what is plastic because the quality of plastic glassware has improved so much.
Once in a while I find something that is expensive but I really love it and I know exactly how I would use it on several tablescapes. When that happens, I buy one or two at a time over several months until I have the number that I need to complete my set.
After choosing the plates for your tablescape, the next decision to make is what color goblets you want to use on your table. It is always a good idea to look at your existing dish patterns and think about what color goblets would match them in addition to your clear goblets. Most people start with clear goblets and they can be used for any table setting.
I am showing three different patterns of clear glass goblets that I use on my table settings; on the left, my wedding crystal, Lismore made by Waterford; in the center another Waterford goblet from their inexpensive line, Marquis, the pattern is Brady. I found them at HomeGoods. On the right is my mother’s wedding crystal from 1938, Rock Sharpe made by Libbey, the pattern was called Ridgeway (I purchased additional pieces on Ebay). You can see my Waterford goblet on a St. Patrick’s Day tablescape here. I used the clear Marquis goblet on a Summer tablescape here. I added my mother’s Ridgeway goblet to a Spring tablescape here.
I took an inventory of 120+ tablescapes that I did in the past to see what goblet colors I have used most often and I used clear goblets the most often after red ones. I often use them with a colored goblet when I don’t have another goblet color that works with that color or I want to tone down the colors on the table.
The color goblet that I have used the most often on my tablescapes over the past several years is red. I use my red goblets several times a year; Valentine’s Day (see one here), any patriotic holiday (see one here), summer tables themes like Strawberries, Watermelons, and Picnics, and at Christmas time (see one here). A red goblet would be my first purchase after a clear goblet for a tablescaping goblet collection. I found these Red Waterford Marquis Brookside goblets at HomeGoods several years ago and I use them constantly. I have seen them for sale from time to time on Ebay.
I have red goblets in a few other patterns as well. My kitchen is white with red accents so I have a few extra red glassware patterns. I found these goblets on Ebay, no one (even Replacements) knows the pattern name.
These plastic goblets were a gift from my kids. They are perfect for a picnic themed table!
I bought these red spiral goblets at Pier 1 several years ago. I will miss Pier 1!
After red and clear the goblet colors that I have used most often on my table settings are black and dark blue.
Black is such a basic color that it can be used over and over depending on the table theme. I have used black goblets several times on Halloween tables (see one here) and also as a secondary color on other table settings that have black accents (see one here). I bought these black goblets on Ebay and they were one of the first sets that I bought several years ago. They are Lenox Midnight Mood black glass water goblets and they were made between 1974 and 1982. They are 7 1/4 inches tall. When I started buying goblets I didn’t pay attention to the height but now I like to buy goblets that are at least about 8 inches tall because my table is large and I think they show better.
A dark blue goblet is very versatile, I have used them on patriotic tables as well as table settings for spring (see one here) , summer (see one here), and winter. I bought these blue goblets on Ebay, you can still find them for sale there. They were made by Libbey in the 1970’s and the pattern is Tulip in Dusky Blue.
After black and dark blue, my next most used goblet colors have been lime green and sage green. I bought these lime green goblets at Pier 1 several years ago and I have used them often, on Spring tables (see one here), St. Patrick’s Day tables, Summer tables (see one here), and Fall (see one here) and Thanksgiving tables. They are actually a brighter green than this photo shows, almost a neon green. A bright green goblet is a great choice and it can be used throughout the year.
This photo shows this sage green goblet as a bit brighter and greener than it actually is, I bought them at Pier 1 when I started tablescaping fiftenn years ago. They are actually plastic, I have several plastic goblets and I use them often. Sometimes it is difficult to tell whether goblets are glass or plastic now, the designs have improved so much. As with the lime green goblets above I have used them often, on Spring tables, St. Patrick’s Day tables, Summer tables, and Fall (see one here) and Thanksgiving tables (see one here).
After these goblet colors, the other goblet colors I have used most often over the past several years are (in order of frequency of use) cobalt blue, turquoise, amber, yellow, and brown. (I have other goblet colors that I use less frequently.)
I hope this all gives you some ideas about what color goblets you want to add to your tablescaping collection. Think about some of the table designs you want to create in the next year and that will help you decide what you want to purchase that will be used rather than an impulse buy that will just sit on a shelf gathering dust.
To see over 270 different tablescapes that I have created please click here. If you are on Facebook, join my new Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas Facebook group for lots of tablescaping inspiration! Just click on the Facebook Search box at the top of the page and type in Tablescape and Table Settings Ideas or click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2553689988183392
If you live in Southern California join our Facebook tablescaping group Southern California Tablescapers BTS Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/440356398581157 We are planning a gathering for tablescapers in January in the Los Angeles area..
Don’t miss the Tablescape How-To tab at the top of my blog for DIY tips and tricks.
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