By Hasmita Amtha
We spoke to experts from the decor and entertaining industries and asked them for their top tips for hosting memorable meals.
Cook up a storm
When it comes to cookware, Jamie and Ben Paine of Le Creuset points out that just like kitchen design has changed to incorporate more aesthetically-pleasing, open-plan living spaces, cookware has also evolved to become more attractive as well as functional.
It’s become a trend in its own, where you can now serve a freshly cooked meal from the pot, so having beautiful cookware is an absolute must – especially since it adds that extra splash of colour to the table.
Dress to impress
Julie Gallagher, the owner of In Good Company, shares a few trends when it comes to dinner table decor: “Summer and the holiday season, normally two distinct, separate themes, are being incorporated: rustic and neutral elements are set alongside bright and neon colours. Don’t be surprised to see a neutral wheat coloured table cloth trimmed with neon pink.”
To create conversation-starting table decor, Carey-Anne Robson, from The White List, advises you start with “funky, personalised or artistic disposable placemats. They’re fun and very different”.
Another great way to add colour is through flowers, and Carey-Anne explains: “We love bunches of single coloured flowers in normal day to day items that you can find around your home. Whether it’s a tin filled with blue irises, a ceramic jug with yellow tulips or a beautiful wine bottle with a single protea.” The reason that Carey-Anne draws attention to colour is that it “conveys strong emotional feelings that can set the mood for the event ahead”.
If you prefer a more modern look and feel, then Julie suggests you find “ornate and glossy goodies that you can pair down with textured tableware”. For example, Julie recommends you forgo the tablecloth and leave the table “naked”. Create interest with layered tablecloths in different textures in neutral tones of white and grey, and spice it up with pops of colour with napkins trimmed in neon ribbon or an interesting geometric-shaped vase.
Dish out
When it comes to serving up your meal, and presenting it to your guests, the owners of Eclectic Gifts, Linda Schmulian and Stephanie Zlattner, advise you mix old with new, and the expensive with the more reasonable.
“Glass has become very popular and by that we do not mean clear glass. Dinner services can be made up of different colours and you do not have to have only one colour glass. It’s very attractive to make use of two or three different colours. You can also use glass under plates in a colour, paired with a white dinner service and perhaps the same colour dessert bowl or side plate in the same colour as the under plate,” suggest Linda and Stephanie.
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