Kristina Miller of @kristinamillerevents is sharing her latest tablescape for inspiration
Bespoke event planning and design expert Kristina Miller is helping us beat the winter blues with a tablescape designed to bring cheer and charm.
“Set a beautiful table to get out of the post-holiday winter slump,” says Kristina. “We get this beautiful afternoon light in our new home, and every time I walk in the room, it pulls me right out of my “winter blues” funk. I was inspired to create a simple-yet-whimsical tablescape that incorporated all of my favorite things: blue and white, chinoiserie, lavender, ribbons, and bows. It definitely brightened up my day!”
Right now, we are embracing weekend dinners, as a reason to celebrate and using Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights as an excuse to add a little magic to our daily routine. It’s not about the number of people at your table, it’s about making each dinner feel special for those you love.
It’s time to have a little fun and make memories. Get out the cloth napkins and candles, and let your creative juices flow.
1 – Embrace the Victorian-era beauty that inspired Laura Ashley herself and slow down. Take time to set a beautiful table as a way to communicate that the people at your table are important and mean a lot to you.
2 – Choose a colour scheme. When in doubt, blue and white always works. It’s a timeless colour combination. Don’t be afraid to mix shades of light to dark blue. All shades of blue look great together. “This blue vase is my absolute favorite shade of blue. It is that perfect balance between cornflower and periwinkle. This will be a tabletop staple for me for sure,” adds Kristina.
3 – Personalize it. You will fall in love with your tablescape if it reflects your passions and interests. A lover of bows and cottage style, Kristina added touches of both by layering her Laura Ashley single-use party place settings with her pretty plates with blue bow details. Kristina adds, “I mean this year has been tough enough, why should we add washing and drying fine china to our to-do lists?”
“These plates will be my go-to for hosting dinner parties for years to come,” says Kristina. “They are classic and elegant and match whatever china pattern you have in your home. The easy, no mess clean up after hosting my in-laws for the first time in our home was the cherry on top! Voila! No-fuss elegance.”
4 – Channel your inner “Grandmillennial” and set the mood with a vintage-inspired wallpaper used as a table runner. It’s a great way to bring in colour and set the scheme for any size party.
“This gorgeous wallpaper is even more stunning in person! It truly felt like we were
bringing the outside in as if the birds were flying right off the trees and onto our glittering table,” adds Kristina.
“I can’t wait to incorporate it into our first design project. Stay tuned!”
5 – “I’m really passionate about table linens,” says Kristina. Cloth napkins elevate any dinner to feel fancy. If you don’t have napkin holders, don’t worry. Fold each napkin and use them to layer your place setting for a dramatic presentation. Place the dinner plate on the bottom, add the folded napkin, top with the salad plate, and then for a little something extra, place a bow around floral sprigs for the final touch.
6 – Add drama and conversation by looking around the house for whimsical décor items to bring personality to your tablescape. Chinese ginger jars, vases filled with flowers, ceramic boxes, or even small animal statues can be just the fun you need.
7 – Kristina knows that you don’t need to sacrifice style and elegance when it comes to creating a beautiful table for small family gatherings. We love how her dining room features great basics like white dining room chairs that with a few simple changes, such as a colourful throw pillow, can incorporate the theme of the night.
“I can’t believe the quality of these Laura Ashley pillows. The velvet is so buttery and soft, and the embroidery on this peacock pillow gives this beautiful dimension,” Kristina adds. “I love how it sparkles in the light. My biggest problem is I can’t decide which room to keep it in!”
In case you missed it, see how Kristina set a sophisticated holiday table for us in December by clicking here. Be sure to follow Kristina’s Instagram for more party and tablescape ideas @krisintamillerevents.