Top Table

Hosting a Burns Supper next week? Hood went straight to the top and asked the doyenne of stylish tables, Louisa Preskett-Mobbs, Creative Director at Maison Margaux, for her tips on perfect place settings, stunning centrepieces and finishing touches with flair…

Creating a beautiful tablescape needn’t be a daunting experience, we have put together a few of our top tips to give you ideas for your own celebrations.

Matchimalism 

We’ve had minimalism and maximalism – now it’s time for matchimalism. By coordinating your table linen to your napkins and keeping colours matchy-matchy your table will look extra special.

Layering

Layer your tableware at each setting. It instantly brings height and elegance. We always work to the rule of three: so, either a charger, dining plate and a top plate or a placemat, plus a dining and top plate. Make your top plate the most decorative as that is what guests will see when they sit down.

Foliage is your friend

Go for a winter's walk in the woods to collect foliage in the many shades of green, or nip to your local florist and use off-cuts in delicate vases throughout your table. Intersperse with some beautiful florals in rich burgundies.

Let there be light

It goes without saying that every table needs an abundance of candlelight to give it that warm glow and sparkle. Swirl candles or tall stem candles in burgundy and gold, at different heights along the table, give an elegant feel. Mix in with little tea lights, as many as you can squeeze in. I love to use cut crystal tea light holders as they give that beautiful fragmented light and sparkle.