Style: At my table – decorating tips for entertaining

Leanne Moore writes Leanne Moore writes that hosting a casual but well thought out dinner party will have the most fun with the least amount of stress.

Entertainment at home doesn’t have to be stressful.Doesn’t have to be big and fancy
perfect event. “Above all, we want to create opportunities to share lovingly prepared food, a good bottle or two of wine and great conversation with friends,” says Amanda Holland of Small Acorns. .

“Remember, any small occasion can be memorable if the table is intentionally set.”

Embracing the art of throwing a laid-back gathering puts the focus on your closest and dearest. Here’s how to host a successful gathering where you can shine for days.

Pick a (loose) theme

The first step is to choose a theme that gives even the most modest of gatherings a thoughtful and cohesive feel. Use your imagination to come up with concepts that inspire all design directions, from menu planning to floral arrangements to soundtracks. As the weather warms up, why not consider holding your event outdoors?

If our whimsical summer weather brings wind and rain, or both, to your big night, you can always bring the party in at the last minute. Just as important as indoor events. Seasonal themes are always easy. Because, like the zesty spring vibe featured here, flowers can kick off the look.

consistency and cohesion

When the table is beautiful, the food tastes even better. It’s easy to create a stunning table setting if you know how. Think of your tablecloth as a blank canvas and keep it simple. By building from the neutral zone, you can go in two directions. Keep it calm and sophisticated with a tone-on-tone palette, or get bold and creative with accent colors and patterns. Colors, patterns and styles of plates, glasses, vases and serving dishes can also look great together, as long as it’s a curated compilation. “They don’t all have to match, and you don’t have to have more than eight identical napkins, plates, or glasses,” says Holland.

“Decide on a color palette and use it as a guideline to piece together your ideas.” Choose and stick to them. The only other rule worth following is no chipped or cracked ceramic.

leaves are your friend

To add beautiful flowers to your dining table, don’t raise it, but lower it. “I like to arrange the wines in vintage bottles and randomly stagger them in the center of the table. I use 5-6 bottles at slightly different heights along a table that seats 8-10. I will,” says Holland.

“I don’t want so much that it interferes with conversation from one side of the table to the other, but I want it to look pretty. Whatever you have on hand, such as parsley, fennel, wild carrots, or some nice fluffy tall grass, Anything. Nothing is safe from the cutting scissors. Around the neck of each bottle, I often tie a long, torn ribbon of fabric that matches the color of the table,” she continues.

“Any flower works beautifully. Whether it’s agapanthus, hydrangeas, roses, salvia, wildflowers, they’re happy to sell it in your garden, roadside, dairy, or specialty flowers from your favorite florist. This or that. is one of them,” she says. A simple gesture of messy random arrangement of garden or roadside flowers can be as beautiful, if not more, than the most spectacular flower arrangement.

get ready and party

Prepare as much as possible in advance so that you can be a guest at your own party. Light scented candles before everyone arrives.

Alex Walls of A&C Homestore said: “Having people walk in when you’re stressed creates an uneasy atmosphere.” Cue a Spotify playlist with background music that fits the theme. Whether it’s 50’s Jazz or He’s 80’s New His Wave, the soundtrack will keep you going all night and set the mood for the party. If high-concept feasts aren’t your thing, serve flavorful one-pot meals or simple dishes at room temperature.

“I like to offer things that are easy to assemble, like grazing boards and platters, and let guests do their own thing,” says Walls. “I always add fresh fruit and herbs because they add a colorful touch to the arrangement even if you don’t eat them all the time.” Make your first cocktails when your guests arrive, and then enjoy them on your own. Otherwise, you’ll be running around like a bartender all the time.

“Creating beautiful garnishes for cocktails will make your drink look fancy and your guests will enjoy making it. Dehydrate your citrus fruit and make a delicious margarita salt with citrus and chili or just buy it.” says Walls. Once everything is ready, you can relax and enjoy the evening with others.

make special

For al fresco dining, hang lanterns from trees and string festoon lights. But don’t forget to bring citronella candles and bug spray. Creating handwritten name tags adds another decorative layer to your table setting and will make your guests feel special. If they can see, they can have a good time.

“I am inspired by details, both big and small,” says Walls. “If it’s festive time, you can give your guests homemade cocktail garnishes or margarita salts in small glass jars with handwritten notes,” she says.

“It’s not required, but it’s always very thoughtful on special occasions.”

dinner party themes

inspired by the seasons

Spring soiree
summer barbecue
autumn gathering
midwinter feast

inspired by the holidays

Christmas
Easter
Matariki
king’s birthday

culinary inspired

Mexican
French
Africa
Spanish

Stockist

1 Father Rabbit table mat, fatherrabbit.com

2 Bolt of Cloth Vase, boltofcloth.com

3 Citta cutlery, cittadesign.com

4 Biroix dutch oven, biroix.co.nz

5 wine glasses from Kip & Co (kipandco.com.au)

6 Father Rabbit Cloth Napkins, fatherrabbit.com

7 Tablecloth by Father Rabbit Bonnie and Neil, fatherrabbit.com

8 Father Rabbit Coffee Cup, fatherrrabbit.com

9 George & Edi Perfume Candles, georgandedi.com

10 Tumblers by Bonnie and Neil from Small Acorns (smallacorns.co.nz)

11 champagne glasses from Kip & Co, kipandco.com.au.

12 Plates (Kip & Co, kipandco.com.au)