TABLE DRESSING

When it comes to tablescapes, my style varies widely, from matchimalist excess, to muted minimalist aspirations. Tablescaping is a hobby of mine. These were not tables laid for large formal parties, but rather everyday tables and small gatherings with friends and family at home.

Most of these tables were not photographed with the view to ever lay them out on a website. Consequently, I noticed in some photos certain things are missing- like a random fork. My working theory is that my children probably take things from the table when I turn away.

However, enthusiasm by no means makes an expert. Entertaining brings me great joy, I once hosted a lunch or dinner everyday for a month. Sheer bliss.

Tablescapes

DIY TURMERIC TABLECLOTH

A quick tutorial on what to do when your tablecloth has been stained beyond repair. I am a firm believer that when it comes to things around your house, as well as general mistakes made in life, if you can’t fix it, transform it. I like the crumpled texture of this textile, as you can feel the presence of the human hand.

Tablescapes

CRISPY CREAMS

The creamy tones in this scheme complement the crisp floral arrangements. A dried arrangement is wonderful as it is sustainable. The larger arrangement from a year ago, still looks as good as it did coming out of the shop and can be reused endlessly, Greta Thundberg would be proud.

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Tablescapes

CASA CALABASA

Please forgive the crumpled table cloth, once ‘unprecedented’ (I just had to use this word, whether it makes any sense at all or not in this context), crumpled cloth seems to be everywhere these days. We are loving this table where the humble pumpkin, or calabasa, if you will, takes centerstage at our halloween lunch table.

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Tablescapes

GREENER PASTURES

They say the grass is always greener on the other side. While that may be the case for some, we are just glad to be outside for this meal, at a time like this. I had just bought my first Pilea Pepperomiodes plant and I wanted to take her out(side) to celebrate.

Tablescapes

COASTAL BEIGES AND BLUES

I love a matchimalist tablescape and I try to balance it by keeping the colours tonally cognate. Elements of marine life often find its way into my tables, whether as decor or as part of the menu.

Tablescapes

PINK AND GREEN

This is a bright and busy scheme, with a lot going on. From the bold stripes of the table cloth, to the contrasting hand painted plates, there’s plenty happening. I began this table scheme by choosing the plates. All the remaining design elements are anchored on the plates’ colours.

Tablescapes

NAUTICAL NEUTRALS

For this table, I imagined being at the beach, white sand, seashells with clear blue skies. We scattered some shells on the table hoping to evoke that childhood feeling of finding treasures washed up on the shore.

Tablescapes

RED CHINOISERIE

This table was inspired by the romanticised Eurocentric view of the Orient. Red, yellow and green are said to be considered lucky colours in Eastern cultures, and we decided to do a play on these tones. Red is a wonderfully evocative colour, having long been associated with dining rooms, in works such as Mattise’s Harmony in Red.

Tablescapes

CANDLELIT SIMPLICITY

This sort of table arrangement is something I reserve for last-minute gatherings. Sometimes, the most fun nights are spontaneous ones with the least amount of planning. No muss, no fuss. Not a charger or placemat in sight.

Tablescapes

PINKS, PURPLES AND WHITES

When this floral pink, purple and white arrangement arrived, I decided it was too pretty to leave in one spot. It moved around all day, from the foyer, to the dinner table then onto the hallway. We did a quick and simple table setting around it.

Tablescapes

SUPERHERO COLOURS

For my son’s birthday dinner, we decided to invite Iron Man to join us. In honour of Iron Man and his little fans, we decided to create a very simple everyday table based on Marvel super hero colours.

Tablescapes

SOMETHING BLUE, A BRIDAL SHOWER

When one of my closest friends who I have known for over two decades got engaged, I insisted on throwing a dinner her in honour. If it isn’t already obvious, I love the colour blue. And so, we did something blue.

Tablescapes

MINIMALIST CHRISTMAS TABLE

TABLE DRESSING

When it comes to tablescapes, my style varies widely, from matchimalist excess, to muted minimalist aspirations. Tablescaping is a hobby of mine. These were not tables laid for large formal parties, but rather everyday tables and small gatherings with friends and family at home.

Most of these tables were not photographed with the view to ever lay them out on a website. Consequently, I noticed in some photos certain things are missing- like a random fork. My working theory is that my children probably take things from the table when I turn away.

However, enthusiasm by no means makes an expert. Entertaining brings me great joy, I once hosted a lunch or dinner everyday for a month. Sheer bliss.

DIY TURMERIC TABLECLOTH

CRISPY CREAMS

The creamy tones in this scheme complement the crisp floral arrangements. A dried arrangement is wonderful as it is sustainable. The larger arrangement from a year ago, still looks as good as it did coming out of the shop and can be reused endlessly, Greta Thundberg would be proud.

CASA CALABASA

GREENER PASTURES

They say the grass is always greener on the other side. While that may be the case for some, we are just glad to be outside for this meal, at a time like this. I had just bought my first Pilea Pepperomiodes plant and I wanted to take her out(side) to celebrate.

COASTAL BEIGES AND BLUES

I love a matchimalist tablescape and I try to balance it by keeping the colours tonally cognate. Elements of marine life often find its way into my tables, whether as decor or as part of the menu.

PINK AND GREEN

This is a bright and busy scheme, with a lot going on. From the bold stripes of the table cloth, to the contrasting hand painted plates, there’s plenty happening. I began this table scheme by choosing the plates. All the remaining design elements are anchored on the plates’ colours.

NAUTICAL NEUTRALS

For this table, I imagined being at the beach, white sand, seashells with clear blue skies. We scattered some shells on the table hoping to evoke that childhood feeling of finding treasures washed up on the shore.

RED CHINOISERIE

CANDLELIT SIMPLICITY

This sort of table arrangement is something I reserve for last-minute gatherings. Sometimes, the most fun nights are spontaneous ones with the least amount of planning. No muss, no fuss. Not a charger or placemat in sight.

PINKS, PURPLES AND WHITES

When this floral pink, purple and white arrangement arrived, I decided it was too pretty to leave in one spot. It moved around all day, from the foyer, to the dinner table then onto the hallway. We did a quick and simple table setting around it.

SUPERHERO COLOURS

For my son’s birthday dinner, we decided to invite Iron Man to join us. In honour of Iron Man and his little fans, we decided to create a very simple everyday table based on Marvel super hero colours.

SOMETHING BLUE, A BRIDAL SHOWER

When one of my closest friends who I have known for over two decades got engaged, I insisted on throwing a dinner her in honour. If it isn’t already obvious, I love the colour blue. And so, we did something blue.

MINIMALIST CHRISTMAS TABLE

Because the holidays can be very busy, it is sometimes nice to have a little simplicity at the table.