In our wonderful river-side, Regency property, with copious quantities of entertaining space and all the finest details considered and executed, we’ve certainly got the setting for it. Last week’s blog focussed on all the wonderful experiences you could have with us throughout the winter, so we are now narrowing the focus down a level of detail and exploring the trend that has swept the social media scene via Instagram over the last couple of years; that is of course, tablescaping!

The tablescaping conversation and circulation of imagery is always heightened during festive periods, be it Easter, Christmas, or of course, New Year, so let’s find out more.

What is ‘tablescaping’?

Tablescaping refers to the Instagram trend of beautiful, and sometimes heavily decorated, tables. From wedding settings to rustic garden table arrangements, these tablescapes can be pretty dream-like and leave us feeling very inspired.

You may well be asking yourself, is that not just a fancy way of saying ‘decorating the table?’ And you’d be right, that’s exactly what it is!

The rise of tablescaping

Setting eye-catching, ‘Instagrammable’ tables seems to be the chic hobby that so many people have taken up in the last few years, it certainly grew during lockdown when everyone had a little more time on their hands, and now we’ve just become a bit obsessed!

During the first lockdown, for example, the inspirational Laura Jackson led the charge, posting her daily tablescapes on Instagram, encouraging her followers to see meal times as more of an event, because we were unable to go anywhere at the time and we all needed a bit of uplift in our daily lives.

It can’t be denied that the visual component of a meal is linked with how good it tastes, meaning that many a meal can be rendered restaurant-worthy with a bit of clever table styling. Well, almost any, but it does at least mean that there is some hope for us mere mortals that aren’t Michelin-starred chefs, (although we can lay those on for you too if you’re staying at Edgar House and would like)!

Designer, Eudon Choi, for example, says “a really great tablescape really sets the mood for the evening.” We have all become more aware of how our domestic surroundings affect us, and so the finer details are important – for the every day, as much as the party!

New Year inspiration

Out of all the parties you host, New Year’s Eve is always a cut above when it comes to glitz and glamour. It seems pretty essential that a party is necessary before we bring in the new year and start drilling down on resolutions!

Whether you want to keep your New Year’s party theme monochrome with a black and gold colour scheme or embrace all the colour, there’s no wrong way to kick off the new year, it all comes down to personal taste.

How to do it

House Beautiful magazine suggests the following steps to aid the Beginner in Creating a Picture-Perfect Tablescape:

1. Plan Ahead
2. Pick the Right Backdrop
3. Layer, Layer, Layer
4. Accessorize with Flowers
5. Add Height
6. Don’t Forget the Details!

According to Maison Margaux, we should start with the rule of three, and layer the tablescape, it will give it that curated and indulgent look that is very popular.

“Start with a placemat or charger plate, then your dinner plate, and finally your pudding plate on top. Have the setting stacked on top of each other as guests arrive so the table looks impressive. Then whisk the top two plates away 5 minutes before your guests are seated and use them to serve the food. Go bold with your pudding plate as that is what people see first. Then use three glasses: Two wine glasses and a water glass. Make your water glass fun and interesting. Go bold with colour or mix and match vintage finds.”

Tips from the top

Here are a few takeaways from some top tablescapers:

Alice Naylor-Leyland has a thing for flowers! Whether they are from the market or your garden, it makes such a difference to any table and really sets the scene for each season. Another tip that she suggests is to always use placemats when using a tablecloth, without this the plates can look a bit lost. “Adding layers always makes things look better – whether its tablescaping or fashion!”

LAY London love to embrace the pattern clash. Never be afraid to begin with a table cloth that makes a statement, layering up placemats, charger plates, glasses and cutlery each with their own details. When guests are seated, their eyes will be drawn to the different attributes of the table, from the little votives to the scattered bud vases and from the mismatched vintage cutlery to the glinting napkin rings.

Isla Simpson makes her guests feel extra special with beautifully illustrated place cards and handwritten menus. So rare are such pleasant additions to the table, that they’ll be kept as souvenirs for years to come.

Maison Margaux love experimenting with napkins: How you fold them, how you tie, the colour, the shape, can actually completely transform your table. Scalloped edges napkins are still a big trend, along with embroidery or personalised napkins. Tie them with a beautiful thick ribbon this Christmas if you don’t have the budget for napkin holders, or mix and match vintage napkin holders.

Matilda Goad is perhaps best known for her cheery breakfast tablescapes, Matilda is an advocate for the busy bustle of the family table. There is no space for sparsity at mealtimes, and why should there be when your butter dish, breakfast bowls and colourful acrylic cutlery make a perfect ensemble without even trying!

Get some inspiration for your party table:

These are some of the very talented ‘tablescapers’ to follow on Instagram:

Alice Naylor Leyland @mrsalice

Serena Fresson @tabledressup

Fiona Leahy @fionaleahydesign

Nessie @palebluegingham

Jemima & Alice Herbert @laylondon

Maison Margaux @maisonmargauxltd

Kate Fairlie @truffletablescapes

The Edition 94 @theedition94

Tablescaping might not be for everyone, but you can’t deny the impact it adds for a party setting – we can’t get enough!

So, if you’ve got the inspiration for a party, starting from the table upwards, but nowhere suitable to host it, you might be thinking of renting a house for New Year’s Eve, or for any sort of celebration at all?! You know where to find us!