Edible Vancouver Island Design 2022

Setting the Table

WORDS ASHLEY STELCK & PATRICIA PEARSON PHOTOS JANIS JEAN Using elements of generations past, new collections & Mother Nature to create the perfect tablescape

W hile the term “tablescaping” was coined in the early 2000s, the act of creating beautiful table settings has existed for centuries. It has global traditions, not limited to any speci c culture. Instead, it’s part of a great meal. It’s the stage for the main event. It’s the setting where stories are told and souls are nourished. Tablescaping is an art form, the combination of colors, textures and heights, all layered together to create something wonderful and memorable. Creating a memorable tablescape doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. When visualizing your table setting, look to the meal and season for inspiration. You can often create a centrepiece or place setting by pulling ingredients from the meal to make edible decor. ink stacks of colorful pumpkins in the fall, scattered citrus or pomegranate in the winter or fresh bouquets of aromatic herbs in the spring and summer. What is the overall feel of the meal? is should help direct the desired aesthetic of the table. Is it a casual Sunday morning with u y pancakes and fresh squeezed juice, or a formal three-course dinner on a Saturday night? Visualizing the meal and the table together can give you unexpected ideas, like gathering a collection of glass bottles at di erent heights and pairing them with an airy ower, or using a mix of colorful ironstone bowls lled with seasonal fruit, or a rambling of brass candlesticks and petit bud vases to create a dreamy candle lit scene. Every table setting needs the obvious basic tools: dishware, cutlery, glassware and serviettes. For some occasions, the addition of more luxurious items can be layered in, such as elegant candelabras, oral elements and maybe even a unique collection that’s characteristic of the host, the event or the season. ink about the desired atmosphere and style of the meal: a cozy winter meal calls for rich hues, earthy tones and simple orals, such as naked branches or dried owers. A spring feast allows for vibrant colors, bright orals and light, airy linens. It does not need to be a wedding occasion to use your favourite china or fancy silverware; these pieces are meant to be used, and they look amazing when laid with pride on your tablescape.

18 DESIGN 2022 EDIBLE VANCOUVER ISLAND