Spring in Vancouver, where I live, has recently arrived in full force. The temperatures have risen, the sun is shining and flowers are popping up everywhere. It's one of my favourite times of the year. This spring however, feels a bit different as we're one month into self-isolating and physical distancing practices, due to the global Covid-19 outbreak.
Easter will be here this weekend and for myself, that usually means a time of cooking, baking, tablescape arranging, gatherings with friends and family, good food and great cocktails! This year will be different due to the oubtbreak, I have decided to host a stylish Easter brunch for one.
While I feel sad that I can't spend quality time with my family and friends in the usual ways, I am still determined to celebrate and show positivity. I will do that by designing a beautiful table for one to enjoy while partaking in an Easter brunch menu that I've been working on for the past month and "cheers - ing" a libation or two with those I love over Zoom.
Now is a time to practice gratitude and appreciation for the joys and happiness we have, as well as for those who work tirelessly to ensure our lives and the quality of our lives continue long after this period in time is over. So, for those of you who are celebrating Easter with immediate family or solo like me, I am including below, my process for creating a beautiful tablescape. What matters most for any tablescape creation is not what you use or your decor choices, but that it makes you happy!
The Big Picture, My Process To Design A Beautiful Tablescape
Step 1: Start with an inspiration
For this tablescape, my inspiration came from some faux Easter eggs I found in my storage. After I saw them I knew that I wanted the table to be colourful, yet muted in spring pastels.
Step 2: Choose a table cloth or runner to anchor your table
I chose a light pink and white stripe linen tablecloth (from HomeSense) that adds a bit of airiness to the table, yet still provides pattern and interest. The pale pink and white act as a neutral to showcase the mixed, yet muted spring colours and seasonal decorations.
Step 3: Choose your place setting
I love to design a table with layered place settings. I think it adds both depth and texture. I started the place setting base with a woven grass charger (from World Market), then layered my everyday white dinner pate (it is rippled - more texture) finishing with an egg-shaped Easter chick plate (the plates come in 4 different colours, from Williams Sonoma). To break up the repeated round-theme of the setting, I folded a very thin, white cotton napkin with dainty gold stripes running length-wise, down the the length of the place setting, spilling over the table edge. I chose to use gold cutlery to reinforce the gold stripe in the napkin.
Step 4: Design a centrepiece using flowers & decor items (seasonal if applicable)
Flowers are a must for me in any tablescape design. I think they add colour and freshness to any table. Tulips are a perfect spring flower and my main choice for this design, as they're fragrant and come in a multi-tude of colours and petal varietals. For the centrepiece, I went with monochromatic tulips combined with fresh greens and eucalyptus (great scent). I like to keep table centrepieces low so that all guests can see each other.
Around the table I also used multi-toned tulips displayed in neutral egg cups. I trimmed the stems to 1-2", added water to the egg cups and arranged the tulips into groups of threes.
Step 5: Finishing touches and little surprises
I always add multiple candles to tablescapes. I prefer to add votives and low candles throughout the table, not just in one spot, as I think it creates a lovely ambience, setting the tone for the gathering.
To finish I added some seasonal decorations, faux egg nests layered on the place setting (from Michaels Craft Store). I wanted to give the illusion that the chick on the egg plate had just hatched from an egg in the nest! I also added faux eggs in multi-colours to match the plates. Mini chocolate bunnies wrapped in gold were place by each setting for guests to snack on after dinner.
The final elements I added to the design were fluffy bunnies attached to the backs of chairs. I happened to be at Pier 1 a few years ago after Easter and they had these neutral bunnies on sale. Who could say "no" to them, they're just so cute. I think they complete the table - they're neutral and they add great texture with the faux fur!
That's it! In five simple steps, anyone can design a beautiful space to gather and share with those you hold dear. A gathering, isn't a gather though, without...
*Step 6: The take-away gift
No gathering though is complete without a take-away! Last year I made Sweet Bake Shop's recipe for decorated Easter sugar cookies and handed them out at the end of the evening. A take-away doesn't have to be big, it's just a little gesture of thanks to your guests for sharing their time and co-creating a wonderful evening. I laid the cookies out on these cute golden egg placemats I found last year at Party Cit. I think for the price ($1 each) they're fun and festive, yet subtle as they're a light gold colour. These palcemats would also look great on a tablescape in place of a charger.
Wishing everyone a safe and healthy Easter, however that may look for you this year. I hope to be sharing my table with many of you again soon. In the mean time, if you do decide to create an Easter tablescape, comment below or post picture at #mykuratedlife, I'd love to see your tables!
Happy Easter,
Krista xo
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