How To Curate An Artful Celebratory Tablescape

“I like to display beautiful objects down the center of the table – bowls filled with nuts and fruit for guests to pick from, for example. This creates a nice informality, as well as a social connection,” says Elad Yifrach, creative director of L’Objet. The brand’s collaboration with LA-based artists the Haas Brothers serves this purpose to perfection. Its ‘Cheese Louise’ duo of smoked oak boards, for example, combine elegance and amusement, with gold-tone brass faces adorning the handles. Alternatively, opt for a vibrant centerpiece to add color and pattern – Emporio Sirenuse’s ceramics evoke the Mediterranean via vivid hues and ornate swirling designs, creating a spectacular backdrop for delicious culinary delights.

While any tablescape is deserving of delectable crockery, a special occasion calls for a detour from the everyday and provides an opportunity to introduce delightfully maximalist designs. Look to gold-edged, jewel-toned plates from La DoubleJ, which offers a pleasing array of illustrated sets for an element of contrast. Alternatively, opt to display the floral-and-stripe motifs favored by Loretta Caponi’s collaboration with Villeroy & Boch. For a more harmonious aesthetic, Cabana + Ginori 1735’s porcelain charger plates give a beautiful two-tone effect, while the luminosity of crystal instantly elevates a table setting – admire Luisa Beccaria’s iridescent dessert bowls, hand-painted in dégradé blue and green hues.

Add conversation-starting objects as instant ice-breaking moments and to set the tone for a jubilant soirée. Josephine Dessine’s idiosyncratic illustrations – from iconic fashion figures to lively sea creatures – bring a sense of fun, while Laetitia Rouget’s plates present tongue-in-cheek, culinary-themed statements. Explore unconventional forms to bring a sense of intrigue to a tablescape – we love L’Objet + Haas Brothers’ whimsical ‘Twisted Horn’ ladle and serving set, which have wonderfully wavy stems.

Celebratory glassware is deserving of elevated sparkle. For a timeless aesthetic, look to classic shapes, such as Aerin’s gild-rim crystal coupes or curvaceous silhouettes. Alternatively, add enthralling forms to your tablescape with Helle Mardahl’s mouth-blown ‘Bon Bon’ glasses. Consider vivid colors to cast beautiful light reflections, too, like the kaleidoscopic tones of Vanderohe Curio’s highballs and tumblers and the rich Amalfi-inspired shades of Emporio Sirenuse’s ‘Murano’ glasses, then mix up hues for a joyful impact. Uplifting purposeful pieces, such as replacing a simple water jug with a charming carafe, is another easy way to add elegance – look to the floral ‘Bucaneve’ set from Cabana for a tablescape upgrade.

Layer up textiles on your table to create an irresistibly warm and inviting setting for guests – from a striking tablecloth to underpin the overall aesthetic (see Cabana’s intricate ‘Blue Daria’ paisley print) to lively-patterned napkins and placemats to add a pop of color (for maximalist linens and cottons, look to brands like Loretta Caponi and La DoubleJ). Keep a neutral foundation to let the textile layers take center stage or build pattern on pattern for an exuberant effect.

Utterly exquisite embellishments give the final flourishes to create a tablescape that’s fit for a special occasion. Find pieces that will add artful, eye-drawing detail – whether that’s functional pieces with a twist (look to Dinosaur Designs’ sculptural, stacked salt and pepper grinders), adornments that add a refined edge (such a Completedworks’ faux pearl napkin rings), or something to add a sense of whimsy (the enchanting bubble shapes of Mrs. Alice’s glass candle holders are perfect for displaying statuesque, tapered candles). Finish with charming espresso cups and saucers, like La DoubleJ’s graphic porcelain set, to end dinner with panache.

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