After a year full of ups and downs, by the time we got to December I had decided that one thing was for sure: I wasn’t going to let 2020 stop me from creating a joyful table to celebrate the holidays this year. I wanted something that felt warm, light, and – quite literally – peaceful.
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-1.1.jpg)
So I started here – with this peace wreath. Which immediately had me thinking… elevated hippie? Sure, why not! Let’s add some magical mushrooms, and groovy flowers, but make it modern and keep it organic.
I handed the wreath – and all floral duties – over to my right hand gal, Carey at Bleedfoot Florals. She gussied up that peace sign with beautiful dried bits, and left the table soft with airy plants and mushrooms…
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-12.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-3.1.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-5-4.jpg)
To build this meandering ‘runner’ of florals, mushrooms and candles, I started with a small vintage dough bowl (thrifted!) that that we filled with a few totem candles, and then carefully added bits of sage, dried flowers and mushrooms to. From there, I lay down a couple strands of wood bead garlands, and started tucking the candles and mushrooms in between. Keeping things imperfect makes this feel natural and easy.
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-4.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-11.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-7-5.jpg)
My biggest task for this table was actually creating these little mushroom cakes! This was definitely out of my skill set, and while I could have hired a baker for the task, I really wanted to attempt this myself. We made a basic white coconut cake baked in large ramekins and double tiered to make them small, but high. Then I followed a recipe for meringue mushrooms, and crossed my fingers!
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSCF2328.jpg)
We added coconut to the frosting which gave it a… unique texture. I’m not sure I would recommend that, but I didn’t mind the organic nature of it! I placed the mushrooms around the cakes with a bit of sage for color, and they became a fun addition to the setting.
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-14-4.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-9.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSCF2616.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/peace-love-and-mushrooms-coco-kelley-holiday-tabletop-13.jpg)
![peace love and mushrooms coco kelley holiday tabletop 2020](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DSCF2338.jpg)
To be honest… styling this table was probably one of the highlights of the year. The way this beautiful setting came together felt effortless – and that’s something worth celebrating in a year full of hardships and exhaustion. For me, styling fills me up and brings me joy, but I realize that may not be the case for everyone. These tables are always about inspiration, so I hope that you can take some from this setting and create it in your own way – whatever that looks like for you. It’s never about perfection, but the love and creative energy that you put into it that matters the most.
![](https://cassandralavalle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/mushroom-holiday-tabletop.jpg)
Sources :: 1. taupe champagne coupes | 2. modern gold flatware | 3. wood pedestals | 4. wood garland | 5. peace wreath | 6. cream linen napkins (similar) | 7. mushroom twist taper candlestick | 8. cream totem candles | 9. cream dinnerware set | 10. glazed concrete taper holders