If you’re dining at home instead of out somewhere then don’t think it’s any less of an occasion. Here tablescaping experts SET reveal how you can create a table with real wow factor…
Decorating your table is a bit like decorating your home. The best designs give a hint of your personality and the party that’s going to unfold. If your style is bold and you’re gathering friends for a night of unabashed fun, then include lots of colour and interest in your table. If your taste is a little more refined and it’s a classy evening of fine food and wine, then stick with more neutral tones and elegant tableware.
To help you design your own tablescapes we suggest you consider these points. We’ve focused on a spring table as this is one of our busiest times, and as we all begin to come out of hibernation it’s a wonderful theme for a tablescape.
Here are some simple steps to follow in order to achieve a table that will impress your guests:
Decoration: You can find things around your home to elevate your table. You could use family heirlooms or items picked up on your travels; perhaps some beautiful shells or decorated eggs at Easter. As well as adding an individual touch it’s a good conversation starter. We prefer a more scattered effect rather than having one larger centrepiece which can be overbearing and halt the flow of conversation.
Include something fresh: It feels natural to include something fresh in spring when the world around us is bursting into life. You can never go wrong with flowers and there’s an abundance of them in gardens or to be picked on walks at this time of year; use plenty of bud vases (or old jam jars) of snowdrops or tulips or perhaps some blossom branches. If you fancy something a bit different you could use fruit or vegetables. For a Middle Eastern feast, pomegranates and figs work well or if Mediterranean food’s on the menu some oranges and lemons (with their leaves if you can get them) work beautifully. One of our favourite looks is to include some pot plants or pots of herbs (which have the added benefit of smelling wonderful).
Atmosphere: In the evening, candlelight (or a cordless lamp) is a non-negotiable for us as everything looks better in low light. But even during the day we often include candles for scent. A small, scented candle makes everything feel a little more luxurious! If you really want to wow your guests, then you could include handpainted candles in your tablescape. We’re running some workshops with amazing local businesswoman, Milly, of Ivy & Arlo where you could make your own! Keep an eye on our Instagram for more information.
And remember that you don’t need to go out and buy new tableware just to fit a theme. It will be the overall effect that people notice and not the individual items. If you do want to invest, then a standout item like a beautiful tablecloth will catch people’s attention – but it doesn’t need to cost a lot.
You can use beautiful fabric as a tablecloth (try the wonderful local business, Haines for smaller pieces of designer fabric at reasonable prices) and the high street has great napkins (try La Redoute or H&M for linen ones). We also have a pick-and-mix service where you can hire individual items to add a bit of pizazz to your existing tableware.
ABOUT SET:
We love every aspect of planning a party! We supply our curated styles and bespoke looks for dinner parties to remember. We can also help plan, coordinate and execute all aspects of larger events. And if you’re interested in learning more about throwing fabulous parties at home, keep an eye on our Instagram and website as we run various workshops throughout the year.
We deliver our luxury settings to your home to transform your table and your party. With SET you have the option to rent the complete tabletop: beautiful crockery, glassware, linens, candles, flowers and more, or you can select individual pieces. We also create bespoke designs for events, whether it be an intimate dinner party or a larger celebration.
We have recently expanded our services to include tableware sourcing. Having worked with some of the best contacts in the business we can find you something a bit different to the offerings on the high street at competitive prices. Whether you are looking for a new set of plates or an alternative to the traditional wedding list, we can help.
We also love running workshops to give hosting inspiration. We’ve run tablescaping masterclasses with Jo Malone London and cracker-making at Christmas, and this spring we’re incorporating candle painting into our workshops.
GET IN TOUCH:
Website: set-table.co.uk
Instagram: instagram.com/
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Email hello@set-table.co.uk
