Tampa-based Jenna LeBlanc of Jenna Sue Design has been diy-ing for more than a decade. In 2008, she purchased her first fixer upper, and since has moved across the country, renovating even more spaces, including a six-bedroom California cottage and her current Florida home, which unexpectedly burned down during renovations in 2018. Over the years, she has taken her love for design and expertise for simple yet beautiful DIYs, showcasing the step-by-step processes on her blog. 

We sat down with the designer to get her take on what makes the perfect holiday table. Better yet? You may have some of these items lying around your home already. 

Choose Your Theme

Decorating for the holidays is one of LeBlanc’s favorite pastimes, something she looks forward to each year. She challenges herself to come up with a new theme and color palette that’ll work all season long, and this year, she drew inspiration from floral centerpieces, rich, moody burgundy, sage green, wood, gold, and silver tones. 

Lean Neutral

While her current look, which she’s named “Harvest Chic,” worked well for Halloween, she feels it’s neutral enough to use for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and later on this winter as well. “For Thanksgiving, simply add in amber/rust tones or dried grasses,” she says. “For Christmas, mix in bright whites and pine needles.”

Shop on a Budget

Who doesn’t love cost-friendly decor? LeBlanc searched for budget finds for her table, including rope taper ivory candles from World Market, a burgundy runner, floral printed napkins, gold flatware, green ceramic plates from Amazon, glass votive holders, brass candlestick holders, and a wood cutting/serving board. 

Include an Easy DIY

The star of her holiday table is the DIY floral centerpiece. While “it may look complicated and a bit daunting, I stick to a pretty simple technique that has worked for me every time,” she says. Overall, it took her 30 minutes, which included taking photos along the way. “There’s really no right or wrong way to do it—it’s a time to be creative and have fun!”

So, grab a compote bowl or wide vase, chicken wire netting or floral foam, tape, varying dried florals, and wire cutters or pruning shears if using fresh florals. Place the netting in the bowl, secure in an x-pattern with tape, and start laying in greenery, florals, and more to get a one-of-a-kind look.