Easter tablescaping: Six tricks to dressing the table for springtime celebrations
Great table-dressing ideas, from super stylish to almost too good to eat off, says Sam Wylie-Harris
By Sam Wylie-Harris, PA WHEN it comes to Easterthemed table settings, the dynamics are a little different to other celebratory dining moments.
Springtime signals cute chicks, adorable bunnies, bright blooms, beams of bright yellows, fresh greens, pastel hues and joyful tableware to match the sunny mood.
And yet, even if you take your cue from a classic, more earthy palette, when it comes to bringing the outside in with whimsy touches, not to mention the sweetest spreads, entertaining at home is easier than you think with so much to inspire and surprise.
Here are some top tablescaping tips to make sure you hop to it…
1. Embrace colour
Playing with pattern paints the rosiest picture, especially if you mix and match. “The sun is
finally shining, it’s time to embrace colour!” says Margo Kane, co-founder of Tableday. “Introduce bold hues through cheerful candles, patterned napkins and bunches of spring flowers like daffodils and tulips.”
“Pastels are perfect for spring,” suggests Kane. “But don’t be afraid to add drops of bold primary brights. Vibrant yellow and fuchsia are such a fun pairing that perfectly capture the feeling of joy we get from the first warmer days.”
2. Blend in natural materials
With hedgerows blossoming and springtime coming into full swing, Kane says to celebrate the reawakening of nature by bringing it home.
“Placemats, charger plates and napkin rings in materials like jute, wood and rope are an excellent match for brightly coloured napkins and candles, bringing natural beauty to your table.”
If it’s dry enough, Kane says to take blankets and lay your table outside. “Birdsong and soft spring breezes create a magical atmosphere for brunch or lunch.”
Along with blending, layering will add some rhythm to your tablescape and as Sarah Fortescue, interior designer and owner of Sara Fortescue Design puts it: “A must-have for a beautiful table setting is a tablecloth. It’s an elegant addition, and a wonderful opportunity to use pattern and even more colour into your stunning table setting.
“You can experiment with sea grass table mats,” says Fortescue,
“Or use pebbles or shells found on the beach throughout the year to add family memories onto your Easter table.”
3. Don’t be afraid to go matchy-matchy
As much as we like to dress for dinner and co-ordinate everything just so, styling the table with similar themed decorations can be just as creative; especially with so many sweet whiskers vying for your attention.
4. Make use of bud vases “Spring means flowers!” says Kane. “Make the most of affordable bunches of flowers with bud vases. Place three stems in each bud vase, and scatter around your table.”
Fortescue agrees: “I love to display little vases I collect from local antiques shops, scattered down the table filled with crocuses, alongside ferns layered elegantly down the centre of the table.
“You can add contrast by including large glass vases filled with flowers and lots of candles set in groups, combining different heights and widths to create something special.”
And depending on your budget, florals can always be switched for Easter-themed sticks to create striking designs.
5. Add height to your spring table
“A good tablescape has varying layers of different heights,” notes Kane. “Add an Easter-appropriate table decoration by filling candy dishes or cake stands with mini chocolate eggs or pastel macarons to match your table’s colour scheme, and feature in the centre of your table.” Along with mini trees and centrepieces crowned with votives, a clever trick is to hang Easter decorations on twigs and branches. Allowing for space, Easter wreaths can always be placed flat in the centre of the table with a pillar candle in the middle for extra impact.
6. Create a memorable Easter table with eggs
“Eggs are the symbol of Easter, and there are many ways you can use them on your table,” says Kane. “Create a DIY centrepiece by painting eggs in pastel colours and displaying in a wire basket. Or create whimsical place-cards by writing each guest’s name on an egg and setting at their place in an egg-cup.”
Even better, Kane says to delight children and those with a sweet tooth by making it a chocolate egg, “written on with a tube of icing, but don’t let them eat it until after lunch!”