Easy winter entertaining - tips for setting the perfect table
Setting the scene for entertaining – from a beautiful dinner party to a casual lunch gathering - begins with a welcoming table, laden with love.
Inviting friends and family over to share a meal is just the ticket to get your home in order and present it at its best. Setting the table for a bountiful meal plays a big part in bringing the focus where it should be – on the meal itself and those who gather around it.
Here are a collection of tips and tricks to put your best foot – and food – forward.
1. Something unexpected
A matching dinner set adds elegance to a table setting but for a touch of interest add mismatched pieces to the table to enchant guests and inspire a conversation. Mix up your colours and patterns but stick to a theme to keep it cohesive eg. Florals, neutrals or a specific colour.
2. Something fresh
Without doubt, one of the most special touches you can dress a table with is something from nature – fresh flowers, sculptural foliage from your garden or a collection of small potted plants are just the thing for a burst of beauty. At the end of the evening, tie bunches of flowers together with twine for your guests to take home.
3. Something tactile
“Contrast your formal table setting with soft linen to keep things relaxed,” says Maxwell and Williams stylist Vicki Valsamis.
“Neutral shades like beige, grey and white are a great starting point," she suggests, "But keep in mind that the beauty of white is that it gives you free reign to accessorise with anything that your heart desires!”
4. Something moody
Bring warmth to your table with candles or lanterns. Work on a lighting story using your fixed lighting – avoid cool-toned lighting that can wash out all-white table settings.
If you don’t have dimmers bring in lamps for corners and adjacent areas to provide a referred, softer look than overhead lighting and use candles here and there to add ambience.
"There is nothing more rewarding than hearing your family cheer when you tell them what's for dinner or as satisfying as answering, "Yes" when your friends ask, "Did you cook this?"
Imogene Abady
5. Something with colour
A little colour goes a long way and a subtle palette allows for the food to be the hero as it arrives to your table. Use linens, crockery or decorative accents such as an autumn leaf to bring a colourful touch your place settings.
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