HOW TO: DRESS (A TABLE) FOR AN OCCASION

HOW TO: DRESS A TABLE FOR AN OCCASION
Ideas, suggestions, no rules.

I am getting into this new theme, my ‘How To’ guides. Once I’d squared it with myself that of course there are no rules and this is just a few of my thoughts, ideas and whims and that you can pick, choose, adopt, and fully ignore as you choose, I’ve relaxed. And now I’m having fun. So, here we go…How To: Dress a table for an Occasion (I’m thinking Christmas, but you can take the principals and use them for all occasions really!)
Just add people and you’ll be set for a great event.

CLASSIC MIX
I’m not a big fan of fuss, so I opted for a simple and natural palette. White linen with a mix of ceramic and wooden plates, terracotta jugs and handblown glasses. It feels earthy and classic and very unfussy.

CENTRE OF ATTENTION
Whilst I don’t like fussy finishes I do like drama. Creating a central focus that runs the length of the table certainly adds drama. For this table setting I ‘borrowed’ some ivy from an overgrown back garden and tied it together with twine to make a table length centrepiece. Super simple and very cost effective.

HEIGHT MATTERS
Play with height. Adding height also contributes to the sense of drama and occasion. Think creatively and unconventionally, I stood candles on our beautiful cake stand to elevate them from the table but you could use vases or jam jars with foraged foliage too.

COLOUR SPECTRUM
It’s a good idea to think about a colour palette when you’re laying the table for an occasion. Go all out if that’s your thing but I prefer to pick one or two colours and use it to accent across the table. I chose to let the strong rich terracotta do the talking and tied the greenery with red twine and added the clementines for their strength of colour and seasonal associations. And of course, tall coloured candles immediately suggest an occasion.

FLOWERS & FRAGRANCE
You can use foliage to add colour too. I used dried flowers, thistles and seed heads here but branches and long grasses would work wonderfully too. It can be a lovely addition to add a natural scent using sprigs of eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender or even a rose to place settings or napkins. A single stem tucked under a piece of twine tied around a white linen napkin is simple and stylish. You could also add small pots of cuttings to the table for sustainable greenery.