Have you ever been bowled over by an excellent meal before you’ve even sat down at the table to eat? You might have attended a ball, a wedding, or an equally glittering social event where a great deal of effort has gone into designing your place setting, creating an aesthetic that compliments the food you eat and enhances the whole experience. Tablescaping doesn’t necessarily have to be exclusive to fancy venues and swanky hotels. If you are planning to host any occasion where people will be sitting down to eat, make sure to honour your guests with a stunning display that will make them feel like VIPs.
There are a few essentials to consider before you start getting carried away with the ostrich feathers and candelabras. First, decide on the theme or vibe that you’d like to achieve. Think about the menu, and maybe let the food dictate the tone, be it a traditional three course dinner, a Mexican feast, an Asian banquet or an informal dinner with friends. The links below will help you browse the new homeware collections, with lots of inspiration for updating your table with fresh ideas for summer hosting.
Where to start.........
Start with well-chosen table linens, dinnerware, glass and serveware. Think of these as the foundation on which to build your concept. When shopping for tableware, select key classic products that will remain timeless and lend themselves to a variety of uses. Look for crockery that can be bought individually, rather than in sets, so that you have the choice to add to your collection as you go. This also gives you the freedom to mix and match different sets that work well in combination.
Allow plenty of time, beforehand to set the table. Each place setting should have the following cutlery set, (knife, fork, dessert spoon/fork) with additions for extra courses. With so many striking and unusual designs and colours in glassware you can add a touch of elegance by making sure everyone has a water glass, a wine glass, and, if there’s likely to be a celebration, a champagne flute too. You’ll find an exciting selection here.
Making a statement
A simple way to make a statement or introduce a colour scheme, is to use placemats or tablerunners. Coordinate these with napkins in contrasting or complimentary colours, or types of fabric, folded, or in decorative napkin rings, that also complement the table setting. These rattan napkin rings are perfect for adapting with your choice of ribbon, fresh herbs or flowers. And no one wants to wait forever while the sauces and condiments get passed around, so be generous and provide a few of these, to keep everyone happy.
Get creative
Once you’ve nailed these basics, you can let your creative table dressing skills loose and finish the effect with decorations. What better way to do this than with flowers? Depending on the size and orientation of your table, think about how best to incorporate the floral element. Be careful not to crowd the table with oversized arrangements that might interfere with conversation. Grouping small posies and mini bud vases like these along the middle of the table, interspersed with un-fragranced votive candles, can be just as impressive as a dramatic floral centrepiece. Carefully chosen statement candlesticks or decorations such as balloons can help to complete your theme and achieve contrasting heights and drama. But be wary of overwhelming the table. Think Coco Chanel, and maybe take off the last thing you put on!
With Spring now sprung and summer on its way, here are some beautiful design ideas to help inspire you to decorate the table for family feasts, romantic evenings, big birthdays and midsummer celebrations, for a dining experience that your guests will never forget.
Writing Credit : Emma-Jayne Whelan
