World over, the last quarter of the year marks as the festive season. From Diwali in India, to Day of the Dead in Mexico, to Christmas in almost the entire world, food, festivities and family is what makes this part of the year most beautiful and anticipated.
As everyone gathers, there’s a lot that goes into making everything perfect. From food to clothes to décor, it takes a village to orchestrate the perfect event. Included in all this is the Art of Tablescaping. Much more than just adding one centerpiece to the dining table, setting up the platform for a delicious meal is as much about the visual treat as the meal itself.
To understand the intricacies of this unique art, and to get some expert advice, we spoke with Sabrina Monteleone-Oeino, a designer from Monaco, who after a successful career in the fashion industry, decided to devote herself entirely to interior decoration.
Today, The Sabrina Monte-Carlo studio assists its international clientele from design to delivery of all projects. Its team is made up of a team of 30 professionals including interior designers, naval architects, fabric specialists, tableware experts, graphic designers, logistics managers and a delivery team. The studio’s many projects include contemporary villas in the French Riviera, grand palaces in the Middle East, chalets in the Swiss Alps and private jets and yachts. In its four showrooms in Monaco and Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat, Sabrina Monte-Carlo presents a wide selection of high-end furniture, textiles, tableware and accessories from brands such as Baccarat, HermeÌ€s, Lalique, and Paola Lenti, to name a few.
And when it comes to tablescaping, Ms. Monteleone-Oeino highlights its importance in the larger scheme of things: “It is about sharing beautiful moments all together – your table should be as inviting as the rest of your house, your table decor is a continuation of the house. It should make your guests feel welcome and to not want to ever leave the table!”
While we all know the rules of a stunning table décor, Ms. Monteleone-Oeino offers some advice on finer nuances. Apart from having fun with the table décor, she points towards placemats and napkin rings as the most important part of the table. “Give a second life to your chinaware by switching up your placemats and napkin rings. They can change the whole look of your table, they are your table's best accessories,” she says.
Adding a personalized touch is as important as the buoyant flower arrangement. Ms. Monteleone-Oeino suggests (rightly so) placing a personalised gift on top of each plate as a ‘name tag’ for each of your guests. Trust us, that tiny gesture will add much sparkle to the happiness on the table.
Third, create an exciting centrepiece by mixing fun objects within a floral arrangement. For example, add crystal flowers in the vase or wind the flowers around sculptures. Do not hesitate to mix height levels, this will give a rhythm to the look! Having said that, Ms. Monteleone-Oeino also says, “Don’t go too high – you still want your guests to be able to talk to each other!”
Nothing is too overwhelming, nothing is too plain. Everything depends on the mood, the occasion and the size of your home. Yes, dressing up that table takes time, creativity, inventiveness and humungous amounts of research, but then, like Ms. Monteleone-Oeino says, “An excellent meal with a boring table decor won’t be as memorable!” So, without further ado, bring on the candles and the twigs!
