Think of setting a tablescape like putting together an outfit.
As the promise of spring beckons, we’re looking to Lake Como for inspiration. This luxurious getaway in northern Italy, a favorite for celebrities and locals alike, has a chic style all its own. Bringing its unique aesthetic to your Easter celebrations and spring dinner parties doesn’t mean you have to buy a ton of new stuff; with a few thoughtful tweaks to your tabletop décor, you can experience the Lake Como style wherever you are.
We like to look at our tabletop staples as we do our wardrobes. This means starting with a capsule collection: your core pieces and the foundation of your wardrobe—or, in this case, your tabletop décor. Think of these items like your favorite jeans, crisp white button-down or a reliable little black dress. They are the basics in your closet you know you can reach for that make you feel good and are easy to dress up or down with the right accessories.
You probably already have these pieces, but if you’re building your table’s wardrobe from the ground up, clean white dinner plates are always a good starting point, perhaps with a color or metallic accent around the rim or subtle overall texture. Think of your flatware as your go-to watch, necklace, or ring, the piece you wear every day. Classic flatware will last a lifetime, especially in a silver or an elegant champagne finish. Durable but curvy water glasses that can take a beating and keep on ticking should also be part of your collection. Be sure to make it a glass that feels good in your hand! Each of these pieces is practical and easy to find, but can become elevated with the right accessories.
Those accessories are things like your linens, dessert plates, serving trays, flowers or other centerpieces, and maybe even stemware. Think about these as your jewelry, scarves, shoes, etc.: the extra touch of personality that makes you feel put together.
Color is the most obvious place to begin to add richness to your table, as it’s the first thing we notice upon entering a room. For our Lake Como–inspired table, we used the saturated colors and ornate patterns found in the decadent villas of the region. Instead of going with traditional Easter pastels, make it bolder with shades of cobalt, turquoise, periwinkle, and the watery hues found around Lake Como. Pair these shades with their complementary colors of peaches, persimmons, and oranges. You can even add in a touch of lavender or pink for a dash of that classic Easter color palette! Next comes patterns. An easy place to experiment with patterns is in your linens, such as placemats, napkins, or table runners. If you want to be bold, mix and match patterns! Just be sure to stick to the same color palette so it’s easier on the eyes. Large and small-scale patterns placed together create balance at the table, like a thick striped table runner combined with daintier floral napkins.
Now, let’s talk about centerpieces. For flowers, we love having a few simple low vases in our capsule collection; they make it easy for your guests to chat so they aren’t trying to look around a tall arrangement. Purple wisteria blooms around Lake Como in the spring, and you can smell the sweet perfume wafting around the streets. Add glamour to your table by draping branches of wisteria from small vases, cascading down the center of the table. Or, mimic the formal gardens of some Como villas with a series of short bouquets of tulips and camellias, which come in a range of colors to fit your palette.
Other pieces for the center of your table could be tapered candles, which bring a warmth and glow while adding another opportunity for a pop of color. Votive candles can add a shimmer of saturated color and texture. Or check out the gorgeously wrapped Giadzy Easter eggs, which add a little bit of everything to the table: color, pattern, and dessert.
Whisking your guests away to a villa in Lake Como might not be possible, but you can feel like you’re there by creating the right setting and captivating your guests with something to talk about for years to come. Build a table that you want to sit at that feels welcoming, yet captures a luxurious spirit all at the same time. Just like your wardrobe, if you love it, you will wear it—or enjoy sitting at it with family and friends.
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