The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dressing up for dinner
Gabrielle Fagan discovers why laying the table is taking social media by storm
Eating at home has never been more popular. As we gather round our dining tables, now more than ever, there’s a new trend for “tablescaping”. Hugely popular in America and taking off over here, it’s simply the art of dressing up a table for a special occasion. Tablescaping is a wonderful way to show off your creativity and taste and, of course, ensures your table is Instagramworthy – if you’re seeking inspiration, there are more than a million entries on #tablescaping on Instagram.
“I think of dressing the table as being similar to the way I dress up myself for a night out,” says Ellie Moore at Dress For Dinner, a company offering bespoke tableware solutions.
“I like to look glamorous and the table should look the same, but it needn’t be expensive. There are no rules, it’s about using your imagination and whatever you have to hand,” says Moore, whose Miniscape starter kit (candlesticks, candles and vases) is £49; and fourplace Tablescape setting is £139.
“The trend for tablescaping’s grown hugely, because we’ve been at home so much more, and that’s fuelled a real desire to make the occasions we do have count. A curated, decorated table helps create a magical atmosphere, is welcoming and shows guests you’ve really taken trouble.”
If the task still feels overwhelming, we’ve got table-tastic advice and tips from the experts who can help you create your own stunning table setting.
MAISON MARGAUX: CREATE A DESTINATION
“Home tablescapes are all over Instagram and have replaced those food images from restaurants,” says Louisa Preskett, co-founder of Maison Margaux, which offers inspired looks for a tabletop that can be hired or bought. (Tablescapes cost from £45 per person to rent, excluding flowers and tablecloth.)
On trend buys this year, she says, include scallop-shaped details for plates and linens, green and white foliage-inspired designs on china, bamboo-style cutlery, woven rattan place mats, and a profusion of hand-painted Italian lemon motifs.
“With travel put on hold for so many, table settings evoking memories or feelings of holiday destinations are in big demand,” points out Preskett.
“A printed, patterned tablecloth – fresh blues or greens for summer – can elevate the look of the plainest white china,” she points out. If an expensive cloth is beyond the budget, she suggests sourcing fabrics from markets.
Work on three items for each setting, she advises – a charger or place mat, a middle plate for the main course, and finally, a beautiful, smaller “top” plate.
“Candles, flowers and simple touches – like a bowl of lemons – don’t just add colour, but bring a table to life.
“Hand-written place cards or guests’ names written on shells, stones or even leaves can look charming.”
A decorated table helps create a magical atmosphere, is welcoming and shows guests you’ve really taken trouble
If the whole thing still feels a bit intimidating, she adds reassuringly: “It’s lovely to have a theme and to pay attention to details, but things don’t need to be too perfect. The best tables feel beautiful but welcoming.”
SUMMERILL & BISHOP: TALK TO THE TABLE
“If a table is a visual feast, people will linger and the occasion will be extra special and memorable,” declares Seb Bishop, CEO of Summerill & Bishop, specialists in sophisticated, timeless tableware and accessories.
“The table, as a place where we share time and exchange experiences and worries, has been valued in these difficult times,” he adds.
Ramp up the colour if you want to be on trend, he advises, with bright, bold tablecloths, which can transform the look of a room, as well as a table.
“Don’t be afraid to mix and match, and include items that mean something. Add an heirloom plate, a quirky vase or a bloom tied with ribbon to each napkin – so you conjure your own table ‘recipe’,” he says.
“A successful table is one that looks lovely, but also has individuality and details which trigger memories and anecdotes, which will be talking points and add to that sense of occasion.”
ALICE NAYLOR-LEYLAND: VIEW IT LIKE ART
“It’s a bit like creating a painting,” explains lifestyle writer and influencer Alice Naylor-Leyland, who provides bespoke settings (a readymade tablescape costs around £340) and also tableware and accessories.
She says: “I arrange all the settings and then work on the middle – ‘the dead space’ – and decide what to fill it with, whether it’s candles, flowers or a theme, so eggs if it’s Easter.”
Large vases can overwhelm a table and make it hard for guests to see each other, so opt for small bud vases. “You only need a couple of blooms in each and if you add candles that complement the flowers, you will create an instant tied-together look, which isn’t expensive,” she confides.
WAYFAIR: GO AL FRESCO EXOTIC
“Think of your summer tablescape in the same way that you would your interior, choosing a handful of recurring colours running throughout,” advises Nadia McCowan Hill, resident style advisor at Wayfair.
“An exotic faux plant or tree will add atmosphere. Use a range of jugs, vases and glasses in staggered heights, and a medley of florals, from blowsy roses to foxgloves for a more wild, organic look.”
Her top tip is to include an eclectic mix of plates and platters for informal occasions, as it conjures a more laidback but stylish look. If you’re short of a centrepiece, fill a clear glass carafe with fresh fruit or leafy herbs, and you can enjoy its contents as part of the meal.
THE WHITE COMPANY: PLAY WITH LIGHT
“For a special table, I love glass storm lanterns or mercury tea light holders, and then pure white china, which sets the food off beautifully,” says Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company.
She says: “Personalise place settings with luggage tags, or tie napkins with raffia and add a little sprig of flowers.
“Seasonal flowers or leaves sprayed silver or gold for a special occasion, and a cluster of candles, make a perfect table centre. Keep arrangements low, so they are easy to talk over.”