It used to be that if you set the table for a dinner party and made the effort, everything was quite formal. You gave the meal a sense of occasion by bringing out the things you kept for best and using fancier and more things than you normally would. But the tables have turned (pardon the pun) and today’s tablescape is more relaxed, more colourful and a lot more fun. But no less fancy!
The bright new Mykonos range from No 22
Australian brands are teaming up with artists and calligraphers to create some some beautiful pieces to set your table. Here are just a few examples of the latest tablecloths, napery, plates and glassware that have crossed our desk recently.
Mrs Tablescape
I’m so enamoured with Mrs Tablescape’s new Nostalgia collection and I’m not even Australian. These pieces however, are Aussie as! Check out the tablecloth!
The Nostalgia tablecloth by Mrs Tablescape and Emma Elise
The napkins and tablecloths are a collaboration with Australian artist Emma Elise. Featuring fairy bread, Minties, TimTams and native flora, they’re expecting it to be their biggest seller yet.
No 22
Inspired by one of their favourite places, No 22’s Mykonos collection will make you feel like you are in Greece without having to leave your home!
Perfect for entertaining, or for everyday use, this collection is designed to be mixed and matched, with napkins, placemats, tablecloths, plates and glassware! The menus, placemats and tablecloths have been designed in collaboration with Sydney-based calligrapher and artist Anastasia Tanuputri.
In The Roundhouse
And the brand who really got this trend started in our opinion, In The Roundhouse always offers up the most fun and colourful designs and they’re always adding to their collection, which lends itself perfectly to mixing and matching.
We particularly love the Italian range, created in collaboration with Sydney based artist Daimon Downey. These plates will keep that European summer feeling going and going! I have plenty of their plates and napkins in my own personal collection.
7 tablescaping trends predicted to pop up everywhere in 2022
A new year requires a total reset and the dining table is the perfect place to start your design overhaul. But why make over your table instead of your bedroom, one might ask?
“With a table you have many objects and colours to be creative with and working with a lot of options adds to the joyous atmosphere when spending time with friends, family or guests. The table embodies these cherished moments and is a focal point of the home,” says Mrs Tablescape founder Carolyn Dorrian.
“The table used to be underappreciated but COVID has made us realise what a workhorse it is. It’s where kids do homework, it doubles as an office desk, it’s a place to relax over a glass of wine, and it’s also a huge fashion statement for dinner parties big and small. No wonder the tablescaping phenomenon has well and truly taken off!”
Here are Carolyn’s tablescaping predictions for 2022 and beyond:
Revival of the placemat and tablecloth
They look nothing like the much-maligned vinyl or plastic fruit bowl emblazoned sheets that get hidden under your dinner plate – modern placemats are now much trendier and still very useful for protecting your table from spills and scratches. You can eat on them and put them away instead of changing the whole tablecloth.
Practical considerations aside, placemats and tablecloths add warmth and texture to a table, can be mixed and matched to suit your needs and come in all sorts of fun shapes and colours. Once you start using them again, you’ll wonder why you ever stopped!
People want a sense of nostalgia on their tables
Formal entertaining may have waned but more and more sets of china are showing up on social media’s most stylish tablescapes – and for good reason. 2022 will see a continuation of this nostalgic trend as memories of loved ones are evoked through use of Granny’s best crockery. This wistful return to the past is super comforting and best of all, vintage and vintage-style tablewares are affordable, eco-friendly, and if looked after well, will last for ages. They don’t make them like they used to!
Be yourself to feel truly at home
Science has established that clear links exist between the environment you inhabit and your mental health. Feeling at home is all about finding the things that really speak to you and creating an environment that reflects that. It feels good to show off who you are! Taking time to put the finishing touches on a lavish spread is soothing for the soul, and results in a feast for the eyes too. So go ahead and cover the walls with photos, hang that piece of art you found on holiday. Collect as many throw cushions as you like, minimalism be damned.
When you give yourself permission to be who you are, you can start to enjoy the freedoms that come with self-expression, whether it’s through a good wardrobe or a well-dressed table. After all, la dolce vitais about having the confidence to enjoy all the good things in life with total abandon. Curating every aspect of your home to make it comfortable and beautiful for you is a must to live well.
People want to transform their tables into a destination
At the height of COVID when much of the world was housebound, imaginations within the four walls of many homes soared to exotic locales, keen to escape the monotony and boredom of everyday life. In 2022, as we all become used to the new normal of a post-pandemic world, the trend of using dining tables and food as a fun form of escapism remains.
As travel disruptions throw holiday plans up in the air, it’s still highly desirable to transform dining tables into entire destinations. Think Amalfi in the summer with its crystal blue waters and lemon scented air brought to life via rustic painted crockery and richly-dyed linens. Or whisk yourself off to Marrakech with boldly printed napkins, tall candles and delicate cups of mint tea. The sky’s the limit when it comes to where you want to be taken to next.
Maximalism is back – minimalism is out
2022 is the year to turf out the minimalism trend. Visually rich maximalist homes and tables are spaces to showcase beloved heirloom treasures and lay out aspects of your personality, culture and family history. You don’t have to confine yourself to a bland palette of neutrals and natural finishes if that doesn’t suit you. A maximalist table will have a cohesive theme, but contain all the extras of a lushly laid out table – linens, plates, glasses, candles and more. It will have colour, height and texture.
70s patterns are making a comeback
The 70s gave us macramé, rattan, houseplants and a sometimes a hideous mishmash of clashing brown and orange prints. The playful eclecticism of the era meant the people of the time were unafraid to bring together elements from other eras that inspired them, even if it didn’t always work. A special emphasis on warm colours, soft geometric shapes, swirling patterns and curved edges defined the 70s and its these crucial aspects that are making a comeback in 2022.
That sense of nostalgia that drives the desire to reincorporate old fashioned staples like placemats and tablecloths and bring back retro patterns and colours is the same force behind the restoration of vintage and vintage-look pieces to family heirloom status. 2022 will be a year of mindful consumption, where mass manufactured products are rejected in favour of hand-made pieces that are one-of-a-kind.
A newfound appreciation for the emotional qualities behind every piece will spark joy as we find space for lovingly repurposed vintage pieces in our homes. Fine bone china, crystal and tablewares gilt with gold and silver grace our tables, similar to the tables our grandparents and their parents once sat down at. We’ve finally come full circle and embraced these unique treasures from the past.
–Mrs Tablescape is the home of all the layers of your table. Founder Carolyn Dorrian, a former lawyer, has always loved to create unique table settings for her family and friends. With the increased requirement to stay at home due to lockdowns, she found herself escaping to the vintage yet contemporary world of tablescaping and table setting. Follow her on Instagram.
Christmas entertaining: How to create a stylish tabletop
Earlier this year we reported on the ‘tablescape’ trend which saw table decorating elevated to a fine art. And if there’s ever a day when you should up your table…
Christmas tabletop styling advice from stylist Steve Cordony
If you’re not following Steve Cordony’s gorgeous personal account and that of his Rosedale Farm property you’d best get amongst it! A veritable treasure trove of inspiration, Steve manages to…
Pinterest is one of my favourite places to get ideas, and clearly I’m not alone, with more than 3.7 million holiday and event ideas saved in Australia in the last month. 3.7 million! That’s one pinned post for every six people!
Pinterest is the ideal place for getting into the Christmas spirit. Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your Christmas table, festive decor or entertaining ideas when family and friends takeover your home, Pinterest has you covered. Check out these trending table ideas to try this season.
Greenery and neutral decor: Traditional decor takes on a modern twist with greenery, neutral accents and wheat centrepieces. Perfect for an Aussie celebrations, focus on native florals and bringing the outdoors in.
Source: buildhousehome.blogspot.com.au via Pinterest
Source: buildhousehome.blogspot.com.au via Pinterest
Modern blue and white china: Keep up with tradition and choose a classical favorite for your festive celebration. This can be imagined in multiple ways from Chinoiserie chic, a Western style of design that represents fanciful European interpretations of Chinese styles, to the quintessential Aussie Beach Christmas think turquoise, white and navy blue.
Source: bodasyweddings.com via Pinterest
Source: Decoholic via Pinterest
Do-it-yourself decor: Get the whole family involved with decorating by trying these mantel gift bags. Or spruce up your home before Santa arrives with do-it-yourself decorations like napkin rings and hanging boughs.
Source: Crate and Barrel via Pinterest
Source: Camille Styles via Pinterest
With more than 2.4 million ideas saved on Pinterest each day in Australia alone, Pinterest is an ideal resource when getting into the festive spirit. It also means you have no excuse not to have a magazine-worthy Christmas table setting! Good luck.
We all love the idea of hosting friends and family for lavish dinner parties – but how often do we actually do it? It can feel too difficult, and quickly spiral into becoming a stressful affair that you don’t get to enjoy because you’re stuck in the kitchen cooking.
Rhys Duggan, national visual merchandise manager for Pottery Barn, shares his tips on creating a dinner party that’s as memorable for guests as it is for you the host (for all the right reasons!). “I think there are four key elements to any good dinner party – nail these and you’re on your way to having a great time, and so will your guests!’
Guests – this can make or break a good party. First decide how many guests you can have; then find a good connection between them – maybe they have a similar interest, maybe they like art, or maybe they’ve been to the same holiday destination. This can mean they’ve all got something in common to chat about – and will instantly mean there’s a relaxed feeling at your soiree. Plus – my top tip – if any guests arrive early, set them to work. Ask them to finish setting the table, toss the salad, or pop the first bottle of bubbly – that diffuses any nerves and creates a collaborative feel amongst your party of friends.
Food – this is a big one, and one that requires lots of thought. Try and choose a menu that means you’re not slaving away in the kitchen while everyone’s relaxing around the table, that you can pre-prepare and then plate up. Share plates are also great running down the centre of a table – because it creates a communal feeling and conversation will flow! And make sure you consider your guests eating requirements – nothing worse than a vegetarian turning up to a menu centred around meat!
Music – we all know how music sets the tone; choose a playlist that evokes the theme you’re aiming for – but that won’t impede lively conversation. Or even better – before your dinner party, invite guests to share their favourite song – so they’re part of the playlist too.
The setting – this is the fun part! Pick a theme and stick to it – this plays a big role in creating a dinner party to remember. I love theming my parties heavily – adding drama, and making the table the centre piece – the stage of the dinner party. It makes guests feel really special too.
“So to get to my favourite part – the setting. Think big and cater to your audience.
“Hens party, baby shower, birthday or even a ladies lunch – the setting below is going to get your guests talking. We started off with a white linen tablecloth – and found this great wrapping paper to use as a unique runner! That’s when the fun starts with layering and adding in elements to amp up the luxe factor.
“Well it looks luxe – but it’s actually quite simple, some ribbon to group the cutlery – tying back to the pink in the runner, gold flatware – elevates the table settings, some faux botanicals – which guests can take home as a keepsake after your party, and candles. Plus your menu can riff off your setting too – generous glasses of rose and meringues sprinkled with pistachios and rose petals – you’ll have your friends talking for weeks!”
“Next up, dramatic impact is key here – but the setting itself is actually very simple and perfect for a quick Friday dinner with friends. I am a big fan of moody table linen – and I always think a tablecloth creates the illusion of formality and acts as the perfect base, while the striped napkins add a more casual element.
“We’ve chosen some foliage and flowers to run down the centre of the table to contrast with the inky blue, and the use of lemons as place card holders, bringing everyday objects to the table, keeps the feeling relaxed and is a quirky twist.”
“Finally, thinking of gathering the family for a Sunday roast? You can’t beat going classic – white, blue and taupe, perfect! Fresh white table linen – and for a modern take – run a roll of brown paper down the middle and add some succulents to the setting.
“I love bundling up the cutlery with a little ribbon as a simple feature to each setting. Candles always elevate a setting – and create a sense of ambience, plus they add height to a tablescape.”
Love what you see? All products pictured are available at Pottery Barn.
