Setting the Table

While the term “tablescaping” was coined in the early 2000s, the act of creating beautiful table

settings has existed for centuries. It has global traditions, not limited to any specific culture. Instead, it’s part of a great meal. It’s the stage for the main event. It’s the setting where stories are told and souls are nourished. Tablescaping is an art form, the combination of colors, textures and heights, all layered together to create something wonderful and memorable. 

Creating a memorable tablescape doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. When visualizing your table setting, look to the meal and season for inspiration. You can often create a centrepiece or place setting by pulling ingredients from the meal to make edible decor. Think stacks of colorful pumpkins in the fall, scattered citrus or pomegranate in the winter orfresh bouquets of aromatic herbs in the spring and summer. 

What is the overall feel of the meal? This should help direct the desired aesthetic of the table. Is it a casual Sunday morning with fluffy pancakes and fresh squeezed juice, or a formal three-course dinner on a Saturday night? Visualizing the meal and the table together can give you unexpected ideas, like gathering a collection of glass bottles at different heights and pairing them with an airy flower, or using a mix of colorful ironstone bowls filled with seasonal fruit, or a rambling of brass candlesticks and petit bud vases to create a dreamy candle lit scene.

Every table setting needs the obvious basic tools: dishware, cutlery, glassware and serviettes. For some occasions, the addition of more luxurious items can be layered in, such as elegant candelabras, floral elements and maybe even a unique collection that’s characteristic of the host, the event or the season. 

Think about the desired atmosphere and style of the meal: a cozy winter meal calls for rich hues, earthy tones and simple florals, such as naked branches or dried flowers. A spring feast allows for vibrant colors, bright florals and light, airy linens. It does not need to be a wedding occasion to use your favourite china or fancy silverware; these pieces are meant to be used, and they look amazing when laid with pride on your tablescape.

Five tips for creating a unique tablescape
 

1. Select the style and palette 

Start with something that inspires you. For instance, perhaps it's a tarnished antique silver water pitcher filled with delicate garden roses. Add a mix of antique silverware, some crisp white dishware, a few French linens and some sparkly stemware. Voila! A perfectly romantic-styled luncheon.

2. Choose silverware and stemware with purpose

Play into your senses with these items, as they are not only a fundamental part of the setting, but will also be used throughout the meal. They need to have a presence, both visually and physically. The weight of the cutlery in your hands, the thin delicate rim of the glass when you take a sip, or the chime of a toast. This all adds to the feel and atmosphere of the meal.

3. Grab some scissors and head outside 

Borrow from nature to create an effortless tablescape to match the season. A few stems from a hedgerow or garden bed can liven up the table and cost nothing at all.

4. Keep a variety of candles on hand 

Having a good stock of good quality candles in a mix of heights and colors can be a quick addition to any table set. Dark tapers are great for cozy winter meals, while chunky pillars and votives tucked into vases and hurricanes are a must for when the sun goes down when dining al fresco.

5. Avoid being too trendy

It seems easy and appealing to try to replicate something from Pinterest or Instagram. This can lead to purchasing pricey “one-time-only’’ items. Instead, look to those sites for inspiration, then get creative using what you have or borrow from family. Adding a dish or platter that has been used for generations can bring nostalgia and memories to your meal. When buying new, focus on and invest in timeless pieces: quality linens in colors that can be used in all seasons, cutlery with substance and charm and unique stemware in timeless styles.