To everything there is a season. I have been seeing fall content on social media for about a month now, and I have to admit, not so long ago, I would have jumped right on that train. After losing both of my parents before I turned fifty, I found myself overwhelmed with the task of “stuff”. If you’ve been there, you know. During that time, I came across a book titled “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning”, and it completely reframed the way I look at stuff.

In the book, the author discusses how no other country outside of the United States does seasonal and holiday decorating. Think porch signs, faux pumpkins in every texture and color, and all the decor you could need for your next social media post. But none of it is real. It is stored away and brought out at will whenever you feel like it. Only in America.

In most corners of the world, homeowners may have a few cherished vases or vessels, and their “decor” is simply whatever grows seasonally where they live. They embrace the seasons and whatever comes with it and that’s how they decorate. They simply live in each season for the duration. No bins of fall decor, or boxes full of ceramic bunnies and easter eggs. There’s nothing wrong with those things if decorating with them makes your house feel like home. But for me, I got rid of all my seasonal decor (except Christmas, but even that has been drastically reduced)

I’ll get around to Fall tablescapes soon. but right now we are still in a heat wave. It’s still summer. I’ll simply embrace what’s available now. Farmer’s Market hauls and late summer blooms.

Each event I do is as unique as the client I am working with. Therefore, it stands to reason that each experience is also a little bit different. Some clients need everything from a vision and cohesive design, to execution of the tablescapes, flowers, place cards, and anything else that will be on the table. Some clients just need a design and a source list that tells them where to get everything and they are happy to do the actual work themselves. But many clients need something in between, and that’s what the consultation is for - for me to figure out what a potential client actually needs and put together a game plan.

I recently helped to design a destination micro wedding in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The bride-to-be already had a fabulous Pinterest board (always helpful for me to get a sense of the aesthetic) and showed me pictures of some beautiful vintage items she had thrifted for the wedding. What she needed was a clear design vision with a board to show her ideas, and sourcing. Hot Springs itself, has a lot of Art Deco design, and the Craftsman house they had rented out had a similar aesthetic. I leaned heavily into the vintage vibe she wanted and added in some art deco design elements with custom, single-use placemats that grounded the entire tablescape design.

The pitch deck included both DIY elements that would be easy to recreate, as well as simple decor ideas that would be easily purchased or thrifted.

In addition to creating the custom layered placemats, the bride wanted to work through the actual mock-up as well as have a mini workshop for family members helping with the flowers, so I was happy to oblige. They brought all of the things that had procured, I had some placemat samples with different patterns already made up, and we started out with a mini workshop to put together some flower arrangements that would be easy for them to replicate. From there we started trying out different iterations of flowers and candles to find what looked/worked the best. I go through this process all the time when designing for clients, so it was fun to share that process interactively with the bride! She got to see different pattern iterations for the placemat and see which one looked the best with everything else she already had.

I had never done an interactive mock-up with a client bringing their own decor before, but it worked beautifully to ensure that the bride was happy with the overall look and also comfortable with her team of sweet family member being able to recreate the look on her big day. Custom Design, Custom Experience.

photo cred: @allieatkissonimaging

Somehow it feels apropos to be writing this on the eve of the 250th birthday of America. Imagine all those years ago, the people who had come to this land for a new life, a new beginning, a new chapter. And as independence was won, so began another new chapter for this country and it’s inhabitants.

It can be scary, starting something new, something different. The not knowing what “next” will actually look like. The not knowing how it will go or what challenges will be faced.

A few years ago, a little dream was set in our hearts. It was a dream of moving somewhere less crowded, less hectic. A place where we could reconnect with nature and the kind of people we used to be before life became so crazy. And then I would think about having to leave behind my entire client base for a business I had worked so hard to get out there and I would get cold feet about actually making that change. But that little dream still existed and still tugged at my heart.

So, over the past year I started working on some new aspects of the business that could be done from anywhere. I began to make and ship custom single-use placemats designed for specific events, and I started doing virtual designs for clients that are either not local or just need help putting a cohesive design together. And as I worked on some of these new avenues, I felt less nervous about having to start over building a new client base.

And so here I sit writing, two weeks after moving to another state to start a new chapter, thinking about how it must have felt 250 years ago when our country began a new chapter. It must have felt somewhat like this - simultaneously terrifying and exciting. My location may have changed, but I’m still the same Wheeler Haus Designs that I’ve always been - committed to providing the very best to each and every one of my clients, both near and far. So cheers to all my previous clients, and here’s to meeting many new ones in the future!

January invites us to pause and reset, and our tables can do the same. After the layers and sparkle of the holidays, returning to a simple table feels calm, intentional, and grounding. It’s a reminder that elegance doesn’t require excess—just thoughtful choices. I truly lean into my all-white dishes and neutral and simple tables.

White dishes are the ultimate foundation. Not only are there amazing options that are both affordable and accessible, but you can also find dishes that complement any style aesthetic and easily pull together an effortless table. White dishes adapt beautifully and never feel out of place.

One of the greatest strengths of a tablescape with simple white dishes is its ease. You can build it with pieces you likely already own and adjust it effortlessly for everyday meals or casual entertaining. It’s approachable, flexible, and refreshingly low-pressure.

When the palette is simple, small details shine. A folded linen napkin, a natural element, or soft candlelight adds warmth without complicating the design. These quiet touches are what make a table feel welcoming and lived-in.

At its heart, this back-to-basics approach is about creating a table that feels comfortable and inviting. One that encourages lingering, conversation, and connection.

For me, January is a month to exhale, sit quietly, and let the noise of the holidays fade before inviting inspiration back in. I favor simple, neutral tablescapes over the explosion of color and pattern- on- pattern tables that are typically my signature style. This is the month I go back to the basics. When a table is layered with fewer elements, I notice my thoughts slow down too. Open space, neutral tones, and simple textures give my mind room to wander and rest.

January tables often come together from pieces I have had for years. Reusing and reimagining familiar items feels grounding and reminds me that creativity doesn’t always require something new. A piece of vintage silver, or crystal candlesticks I have had for 30 years feels calming somehow.

These quieter tables aren’t about impressing or styling for a moment. They’re about creating for myself, letting intuition guide me, and enjoying the process without expectations. I look forward to sharing a few simple tables with you!