My Instagram and Pinterest feeds are full of beautiful, colorful, and carefully styled tablescapes with one major problem: they all look exactly the same. I love a scalloped plate and ribbon-tied napkin as much as the next person, but even I have to admit, I'm bored with trends.
Vintage and antique pieces have always inspired me, so I decided to turn to historic photos of iconic tastemakers to break the cycle of algorithmically driven table decor trends for 2026. Who better to begin with than 20th-century style icon Jackie Kennedy?
Archival images of the former first lady's home in Georgetown from 1960 show that she entertained using a traditional tea service. Her styling includes a silver tray filled with silver teapots and their accoutrements. She uses classic china cups and a white tablecloth.
Though I'm not a strict adherent to traditional design styles, in today's age of AI-generated product design, there's something incredibly charming about these older, heritage pieces that were passed down through families. I spent hours browsing antique silver tea sets on 1stDibs, and modern iterations of the silver tea pot at Crate and Barrel to build an edit of the best pieces for recreating Jackie O.'s look at a range of price points. Here are the products you need, and the styling tips I'm using for the most timeless spring tablescape possible.
Recreate The Look
This beautifully detailed tea service has everything you need to make drinks for 6. I love the arching elegant shape of the tea pot.
This Christofle tray features one of its most historic patterns, Malmaison, with its delicate palm and lots leaf frieze. It's the ideal thing for adding a traditional edge to your entertaining this spring.
Delightfully pared-back and yet gracefully detailed, these broderie napkins will tie together every kind of tablescape. Use ribbons instead of napkin rings for an added flourish.
Simple and utterly timeless, this cake stand is the perfect addition to an afternoon tea spread. Pile it with cakes and it becomes a spectacular centerpiece.
Get the vintage look for less with this embossed metal canister. The matching spoon provides a dramatic finishing touch.
For a truly timeless tablescape, nothing can beat the ultimate luxury of this beautiful tea set. They have the same traditional feel as Jackie Kennedy's but with added pattern and style.
Though I'll definitely be hosting a few traditional afternoon tea parties this March, what I love most about these elegant silver pieces is that they are versatile enough to work in a range of place settings.
For a fun, modern look, I'm planning to pair a silver teapot with my red checkered tablecloth and red placemats for an elegant spin on the picnic look. I'm also ideating around a simpler look that uses just candles and the silver pieces to really let them shine on their own. Regardless, I will definitely be integrating a lot more antique silver into my entertaining this season.
When you're feeling stuck with the classic sources of inspiration, turning to historic photographs is a great way to find something more unique. If you enjoy our celebrity news and interior design advice, why not sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest features?
