Turn any meal into an occasion with smart tablescape styling

Just as reacquainting ourselves with the contents of our wardrobes has given us all a lift, rediscovering a sense of occasion at home can provide quite the boost too. Whether it’s friends or family coming for Sunday lunch or a spur-of-the-moment romantic dinner for two mid-week, dressing up and making a proper occasion of it adds magic to any meal.

Fiona Leahy, founder and Creative Director of her own event design agency  (@fionaleahydesign), has dressed tables for a slew of celebrity clients. Here she shares style ideas to transform your humble home table for favourite occasions.

A firm favourite for summer, brunch is one of the cheeriest and most relaxed social occasions. Whether it’s for extended family, close friends or just you and your book, bring a little extra sunshine to the table with a yellow scheme. It’s easy to create with just one or two bold touches such as these yellow napkins paired with matching blooms. The warmth from a few pieces such as these is enough to send extra rays of sunshine across the table but feel free to add more accessories if you want to bathe in an even warmer glow. ‘Yellow is a trending colour for 2021 and it always brings joy,’ says Fiona.

There are some days where the regular jumble of china and cutlery just won’t cut it. For a date night, a designated ‘together’ meal for the whole household or just one of those evenings when you feel like dressing up, a smart layered look in classic blue and white will have everyone on their best behaviour.

Start with a simple striped cloth and build up layers of inky blue. Organic patterns and blue glassware keep it fresh and modern while wood, seagrass and other natural materials balance out any coolness to anchor this very grown-up mood. ‘Bringing blue into all the elements makes this look cohesive,’ adds Fiona.

Romance is very much back on the cards this summer. With greater freedom to get out and about, staying home can return to being a bit of a treat, especially if it’s just you and your significant other. Opt for warm neutrals – pink is a favourite in modern decorating schemes – but keep it mellow and soft, drifting towards earth shades rather than anything too jarring. ‘Add depth by using the same colour in the accessories,’ adds Fiona.

Take that softness into organic-style glazes for chinaware, buffed metallics and, of course, flowers and candlelight. Super-flattering and intimate, low light will shut out the world and focus on that ‘just the two of us’ feeling. 

When it comes to prints, a bit more is just enough and sets the scene for a very English wedding breakfast – or any celebratory meal. ‘Embrace “Matchimalism”, matching print on print,’ suggests Fiona. Think classic country hotels, timeless fabrics, elegant glassware and traditional buttonhole flowers… and transport it all to the comfort of your own home. The look is convivial, charming and with all the beauty of an English rose. Confetti optional.

Some social gatherings should be all about fun, fun, fun, and few are as bright and boisterous as a children’s tea party. Inspire creative flair from an early age by putting together a scheme that is as sophisticated as it is colourful. ‘When it comes to kids, you can never have too many rainbows,’ says Fiona.

Mix and match shades, while throwing in some shapes and patterns too – who wouldn’t want to be served from a big strawberry plate?