You Can Rent These Instagram-Worthy Tablescapes
When it comes to my decor hoarding tendencies, almost nothing is off limits—I could spend hours going down a rabbit hole in search of a tissue box cover or drawer pull. But tabletop is a different matter. Perhaps due to the limits imposed by my New York apartment (complete with a tiny table and general lack of storage), amassing a proper collection of "nice" dishes, linens, and serving pieces has never been at the top of my priority list. Lately, though, with so many of us relegated to at-home dining, I've found myself scrolling enviously through the perfectly curated tablescapes that dot my Instagram feed before.
Luckily for me (and my wallet), there's a new crop of companies giving customers the chance to rent picture-perfect table settings for their next dinner party (since, let's face it, I'll probably only use that $300 block-printed tablecloth I've begun coveting twice a year). And when I say "rental," I'm not talking about the usual nondescript plates and too-shiny napkins; instead, these startups have gathered top-tier labels that'll have any in-the-know girl going weak at the knees, which means you can get your hands on that Amanda Lindroth tablecloth or La DoubleJ plates you've been coveting without making a major investment—or worrying about how you'll fit them in your already-full cabinets. The best part? When you're all done, just send it all back as-is—no dish-washing or laundering required.
Read on to find out about three of the companies making it a breeze to dominate the tablescape competition.
Social Studies
For the design connoisseur.
With a roster of early investors that included Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon, it's no surprise that Social Studies garnered some heavy buzz when it launched in 2019. The concept makes setting a gorgeous table essentially foolproof: Just choose one of their super-chic tablescapes like the Aerin Lauder-designed Super Tuscan (the next best thing to being there right now!) or the Dorothy Draper-inspired Christmas Chintz (complete with Dodie Thayer lettuceware plates), the number of guests, and the date of your event, and they'll ship you a package with everything you need—linens, dishes, glassware, flatware, candles, and even little details like salt cellars and bud vases—plus an extra place setting, just in case.
This holiday season, Social Studies is rolling out its new Multi-Home hosting option, which lets far-flung family and friends celebrate at the same table—in spirit, at least—by sending matching tablescapes to guests in multiple locations. Just BYO Zoom link.
Cost: $22 to $52 per place setting.
Freshly Set
For the grandmillennial.
Rather to curate your own selection? Freshly Set is for you. Founded by Atlanta-based interior designer Emily Painter and her husband Austin, the company specializes in mix-and-match table linens and accessories with a distinct vacation-ready vibe: Think block-prints from brands like Marigold Living and Penny Morrison, scalloped raffia placemats by Blue Pheasant, and vintage florals from D'Ascoli. The standard rental period lasts four days (Freshly Set advises scheduling delivery for a day or two before your event just in case), and when you're done with your linens, just pack them up and slap on the prepaid label—they'll take care of the rest.
Cost: $22 to $65 for a tablecloth, $2.50 to $6 per napkin.
Hestia Harlow
For the one-stop shopper.
The newest entrant in the rent-a-tablescape scene, Washington, D.C.-based Hestia Harlow offers "event in a box" experiences for parties of four or more, with options designed for everything from lowkey-luxe dinners to holiday extravaganzas. Every curated package include all the basics you need to host a superbly styled dinner, like linens, dishes, flatware, and napkin rings, all of which can be packed up and returned within two days of your event. Want to take it to the next level? Choose from a list of extras like coordinating centerpieces, fresh floral arrangements, cocktail kits, specialty stations (think s'mores or caviar), and hand-lettered place cards. (You can even do personalized pumpkins for your Thanksgiving table!) And don't forget the kids' table—Hestia Harlow's "half hosting" packages have all the fixings for a kid-friendly holiday party or birthday celebration.
Cost: $40 to $55 per place setting.
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