When it comes to throwing a dinner party or long lunch, you can either host, or you can host. While the food is often considered the main event, setting the scene is just as important (seriously, never overlook the power of a decorative napkin).
Last year, our obsession with an aesthetic table spread really took hold, filling our camera rolls with lush lunches, pastel candle holders and fun-shaped glassware, but this year is a whole new ballgame. Luckily for us, entertaining inspiration isn’t too hard to come by and Tori Falzon is our go-to-girl.
The trained Le Cordon Bleu chef, nutritionist, recipe developer and social media manager is the host of our dreams, sharing everything from weeknight meals to entertaining how-to’s. One glance at her Instagram will have you dying to undertake hosting duties, so naturally, she was the first person we turned to for insight on this year’s top entertaining trends.
Below, Tori shares her top five tablescaping trends for 2022.
Unique Glassware
The fact that these pink Fazeek glasses that launched in the second half of 2021 continue to sell out within minutes, to me, is a telltale sign that chic new glassware styles are the perfect accent piece to a beautiful tablescape. I love how versatile they can be; I’ve served mine filled with cocktails, of course, but also with anything from salted nuts or olives as a starter, to Haigh’s chocolate speckles or my chocolate mousse as a dessert.
Natural Candle Holders
Fruits and vegetables adorning a tablescape instead of more traditional flowers are such a beautiful nod to nature. I love to purchase smaller candles and use tomatoes, lemons, grapefruit, zucchini and pumpkin as a vessel for them. It’s such a fun way to use in-season fruit and vegetables, and they look stunning during a dinner party with the candle wax dripping down onto them.
Embroidered Tablecloths
French designer Sarah Espeute and her embroidered tablecloths have to be one of my favourite Instagram finds from 2021. I’m sure embroidered tablecloths are something we are going to see more of in 2022, they’re so special and unique. I’m dying to get to Spotlight to buy some fabric and an embroidery kit and make my own.
Painted Taper Candles
I’ve seen different variations of painted candles popping up on my Instagram and Pinterest feeds and I am desperately trying to find the time to have a hobby day to make some myself. Block colour taper candles are stunning on their own, but adding a level of detail like painted flowers, leaves, polka dots or lemons will truly elevate your tablescape in the most unique way.
Whipped Butter
In my eyes, there’s no better accompaniment to a dinner party than a fresh sourdough loaf and some good butter (my favourites are Pepe Saya and the ever reliable Lurpak). Why not make the butter a feature piece, by whipping it up using a stand mixer or hand mixer, adding salt flakes or miso, and piling it up into a beautiful, buttery hill served atop a pretty plate.
