Styling A "Dinner Party Ready" Table

Featuring gifted items from MADE

One of my favourite things to do is throw dinner parties for friends and whilst I’m staying as far away from the kitchen as possible, I am making sure the dining table has the wow factor! By breaking the styling into stages it isn’t as daunting as it may seem. I used gifted products from Made and gifted flowers from The Flower Lounge but this can just as easily be achieved with existing tableware you already have.

How To Style a “Dinner Party Ready” Table

Step 1

Start with a blank canvas. It may sound obvious but you’d be surprised how many people don’t strip the table first, trying to rearrange things already on there. By stripping it back completely, you are able to assess what items you do and don’t have, what bits you don’t need and what needs to go on first.

Step 1. Strip the table back to a blank canvas.

Step 2

Find your centrepiece. This could be a candlestick, a bunch of flowers or a decorative ornament. Place it directly in the centre of the table. The Verona candlestick is the perfect item for me as it dictates the height of the other objects I’m going to put on the table. I have used some left over wedding candles but my next favourite place to get tapered candles is Sostrene Green. They do all different colours for whatever scheme you may be looking to achieve.

Step 2. Centrepiece.

Step 3

Add the secondary objects. In my case it’s going to be various vases from all over the home. The more random the better for my taste, but there is no right or wrong way to do it. Matching items could work just as well. Play with the positioning of the vases, creating a pyramid shape with the tallest items towards the centre and the smaller ones towards the ends of the table.

Step 4

Insert Flowers. I have gone for a wild theme with lots of pops of oranges and yellows for a fresh feel. Any colour and any flower will look pretty and I love when they are spread over numerous vases - it gives a “freshly picked from the garden” feel. Shout out to Sian from The Flower Lounge in Didsbury for supplying me with the most gorgeous poppies and french tulips.

Flowers add that extra wow factor to any dining table.

Step 5

Place the tableware. Made’s gorgeous Ingram 12 piece dinner set was the inspiration for the colour scheme as you can see with the terracotta side plates. Gone are the days of matching tableware, it’s time to get adventurous. The stoneware is imperfect with different shapes making it impossible for stacking but it gives that real authentic earthy feel, which I love. Pairing with matt black Bude cutlery gives a contemporary edge.

Made x Northern Styling

Step 6

Final touches. Scatter tealights in between the vases, light all candles and if you want to add a extra wow factor - add a token favour on the plate. I used some left over poppy heads which looked lovely against the black bowls. Other ideas include styling the napkins in the bowls or gorgeous tonal fruit for a decorative touch.

Voila! Candles, flowers and gorgeous tableware help make a wow factor dining table.

Step 7

Admire your handiwork. Always take a step back in between stages to assess the table from afar. Does it look balanced? Is it symmetrical if that’s what you were going for? Don’t forget to take some snaps. Would love to be tagged to see all your creations!

Happy Styling!

Styling Flowers Through The Seasons

The flatlay that won me the competition

In September 2018 I entered The Flower Lounge’s competition to win six months of flowers. The competition was open to anyone local who could pop in to pick up some free flowers and take them home to style. I actually found out I had won on holiday in Crete where I had also just gotten engaged so September was a fabulous month for me! I thought I’d show you how I styled the bouquets through the seasons.

The Flower Lounge, Didsbury. Featuring board design from Indigo Impressions.

The Flower Lounge is a gorgeous award winning florist which is round the corner from my house. Ran by Siân and her wonderful team, I have bought various flowers from them in the past from my Dad’s funeral flowers to my upcoming wedding. They do regular workshops and sell other little trinkets such as vases, plants and candles so it’s the perfect “one stop shop” for presents. I love this little shop and was delighted when I won the competition. Who doesn’t like free flowers every month?

October

Amaranthus

October is all about pumpkins, deep oranges and reds with pops of green. It’s my favourite month, and the month I will be saying “I do” this year.

November

Ilex Berries

The long winter nights call for candlelight and hearty dinners. A bouquet on the table is my perfect centrepiece all year round whether we eat at the table or not.

December

Ranunculus

Fairylights, candles and mini wreaths spell Christmas in our house. In the winter we retreat more into the lounge as it’s a smaller space and feels more cosy especially with the fire going. Bringing the bouquet into the space with us and curling up with blankets whilst the weather rages outside is my perfect way to hibernate.

January

Alstromeria

Christmas is over and it’s a time for fresh starts. All the decorations have gone and the house feels a lot simpler. I never normally have flowers in the bedroom but they were lovely to wake up to each morning.

February

Pussy Willow

The month of love! I love creating photos of flowers in the belfast sink. Something about the crisp white ceramic and the gorgeous colours of the bouquet make me imagine living in a gorgeous countryside property having foraged flowers from the my massive garden!

So those were my take on styling flowers through the seasons. If you are local to Manchester or just passing through, I would highly recommend The Flower Lounge for all your floral needs.

This content was not sponsored in any way, all thoughts are my own although Siân helped me with the naming of the flowers!