The $25 tablescape challenge: A clementine design that's pretty as a present

Our $25 tablescape challenge asks creatives to show us how to style a dinner party table on a budget. They're allowed to use their existing servingware, table linens and any food that's part of the meal — but the rest needs to come in on budget. We think this bright and whimsical execution by photographer and designer Lady Hayes really proves that a little creativity goes a long way!

The small but mighty clementine is the star of this table. Hayes relied on thrifting, the clearance section of the fabric store and a few simple DIYs to create the look. To copy it at home even if you can't find exactly the same materials she used, she recommends sticking to two to four colours, combining a few different textures, and incorporating a few free elements from nature. Let's see how she used her budget to create this design. 

Materials:

• Wrapping paper - $3.99
• White fabric - $5
• 4 placemats - $4
• Pom poms - $4
• 4 small vases - $2
• 2 craft paints - $2.50
• Dried thistles and grasses - free, foraged
• Ornaments - $1
• Fresh curry leaves - $2
• Cardstock - from the recycling bin
• Toilet paper rolls - from the recycling bin
• Candy - leftover from Halloween

Total $24.49
 

How Hayes says it all came together: 

I chose a vibrant and durable orange and green wrapping paper as the base of my tablescape so that I could incorporate my favourite holiday fruit, the clementine. 

I used tape to wrap my tabletop like a present and it gave it a real 'wow' factor. I picked up four placemats at the dollar store and added pom poms with a glue gun for even more texture. 

I used fabric from the discount section at a fabric store to create a table runner and napkins. For the napkins I cut off four pieces of fabric (about 6 inches wide and 1 metre long), sewed seams along the edges, then knotted them and placed them back on top of my black plates. I simply twisted and bunched up the remaining material to create a table runner with depth and dimension. 

For the centrepieces, I thrifted four small vases and painted them green using craft paint with 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in to give the finish a matte, chalky texture. I cut some dried thistles and grasses from my yard to make simple arrangements for the vases. 

I turned four simple ornaments from the thrift store into "Christmas clementines" that guests can take home! I used orange craft paint with baking soda and painted some old cardstock the same green as the vases to make the leaves. I tucked fresh curry leaves from the grocery store into my napkins and the table runner to add another fresh element to the table. Fresh cuts from the bottom of the Christmas tree work beautifully as well.

Finally, I made holiday crackers using remaining pieces of the same wrapping paper, empty toilet paper rolls, leftover Halloween candy, and some cute notes, jokes and charades cards to up the fun!