My Top Trend Predictions For 2021 and My Top Tablescaping Tips This Season

I was recently asked by InsideKent Magazine to put together my top trend predictions for 2021 and some top tablescaping tips…… Check out the piece below for my forecast of what we will be adorning our table with in 2021 and for all the tips you need to create the ultimate tablescapes at home this season.

Top Trends For 2020 – 2021

Vibrant Matching Linens. Table linens add an instant pop of colour and interest to your table and are a great way to instantly switch up the look of your tablescape. 2021 will see the return of highly floral, bright and patterned tablecloths with must have matching napkins to boot.

The Personal Touch. Create a ‘Wow’ moment for your guests by thinking outside the box to create the ultimate personal touch. Adorn their place setting with a personalised menu in their favourite colour, tie a stem of their favourite flower to their napkin or have their favourite after dinner chocolate in a little box for a sweet surprise at the end of the meal.

Pair With Your Tablescape. Because staying in is the new going out, don’t miss out on the joys of getting dressed up for dinner and pair your outfit with your tablescape. Put on your LBD or black tie to match your luxe candle lit dinner or your favourite white power suit for an all-white winter brunch.

Top Tip for Tablescaping

- Your table sets the scene for your gathering so reflect your concept and the tone of your evening with how you set your table. For a breakfast, brunch or lunch tablescape, omit the candles but ramp up the floaty, informal floral arrangements, match personalised menu cards to your colour palate and tie cutlery sets with pretty ribbons to create a soft and light tablescape. For a lavish evening affair, load the table with candles, switch the floral arrangements to small formal hand tied posies and choose a darker colour palate for your table linen and pair with metallic accents.

- Build texture and layers into your design to create points of interest and a multi-dimensional tablescape. Pick a colour palate to keep your concept consistent and build from the bottom up. Use a busy patterned tablecloth with crisp white charger plates and top with a napkin in a matching colour or print to your tablecloth. Add cut glass crystal tumblers and wine glasses for a contrasting material and texture and use beautifully polished silver cutlery for added shimmer. Incorporate some height to your table with a variety of seasonal stems in mismatched bud vases, cut to different heights and in varying colours within your chosen palate. Use both tall tapered dinner candles and low level tea lights for ambience and soft lighting to complete your table.

- Flowers are everything right now when it comes to tablescaping, flowers add texture, vibrancy and not to mention bring a sweet scent to the table. Pluck fresh stems from your garden and spread across the length of the table in small bud vases. Snip the stems at varying heights but be careful not to go too high and too dense so you obstruct the eyeline to the guest opposite. Include greenery and grasses to bolster your arrangement and always include fresh herbs such as mint and rosemary. Why not send each guest home with a small posy of flowers for a sweet memento for days to come.

BEYOND THE TABLE'S SUMMER HOSTING TIPS

There are a million and one things to think about when you are hosting an event, it’s almost impossible to think of every eventuality so I’ve prepared this list to try and cover the key points to ensure you are armed with all the tips and tricks to host the perfect event at home.

WHERE DO WE FIND YOU?

You spend everyday at your home and know how to get there like the back of your hand (hopefully!) but how about your guests. Let them know your address but also key landmarks to look out for. Tell them the colour of your front door, the best route to take, and critically, where to park! There is nothing worse than your guests turning up in a fluster because they couldn’t find anywhere to park! Ensure you put an outside light on if it’s a dark evening so your guests can easily find their way to your door!

ALCOHOL FREE

Is it dry Jan? Do you have guests attending who can’t or don’t drink? Make sure you have something exciting covered for them to drink beyond a glass of water or orange juice! Make sure to ask us about a non-alcoholic easy to prepare recipe.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Veggies, Vegans, Intolerances, there are so many potential considerations when it comes to you menu. Make sure you ask about dietary requirements if you don’t know this in advance to save potential embarrassment on the night and ask when you send your invites invite. Most menus can be easily adapted as long as you have thought this through in advance.

FRIDGE & FREEZER ESSENTIALS

Be the host with the most and have these following essentials in your fridge or freezer to cover any eventuality.

-       Ice, and lots of it. Never run out of ice!

-       Lemons and Limes. For drinks, sauces or last minute plate decoration.

-      Prepare Condiments. Guests shouldn’t ask for ketchup or mayo if you’ve not put it out but if that’s how they enjoy their food, and especially if you’re hosting children, why not! Tabasco, mustard and olive oil are also great staples to have available.

- Single Cream. Again, a last minute sauce saviour or perfect to rescue a dessert that’s gone a bit dry!

-       Soda water. Great for making a white wine last longer for anyone driving by creating a spritzer, essential for any after dinner indigestion or for someone who wants a break from the booze. It’s also super handy to use on clothes for anyone who drops their dinner or splashes red wine down themselves! (Almost always me!)

TRAYS

Trays are the unsung hero and make prep so much easier whilst also helping you keep organised throughout the night. Drinks reception, prepare a tray for that….. pile the glasses, garnishes and bottle opener on the tray so when its party time, all you need to do is pop a bottle or a cork! After dinner coffee… prep your mugs, sugar bowl, milk jug, teaspoons and after dinner chocs on a tray. All you need to do it flick the kettle on and make a pot of coffee or press the go button on the Nespresso machine. (It also means you’re not hunting for the ever illusive teaspoons that there never seem to be enough of after a few glasses of wine!)

TOILET MANNERS!

When hosting a party its likely your washroom facilities will have slightly higher traffic than normal, ensure you have taken that into consideration.

Firstly, make sure you have given it a good spruce up before hand and ensure there are plenty of loo rolls available. Why not put out a nice hand wash and hand cream duo (you can always take it out and save it for next time afterwards!), and ensure there is something for people to dry their hand on. I like to put individual handtowels in a small basket. If you want to go the extra mile, add a small bud vase with some fresh flowers on the window sill or light a candle, the room will smell great when your guests go in.

POST DINNER

Your dinner table offers the perfect environment to sit and relax following dinner. Dish out the coffees, liquors and chocolates and spend the evening hours and last flickers of candle light chatting and enjoying the company you are hosting. Have a card or trivia game on hand if your guests are new to each other, or, if its a warm Summer evening, have some cosy seating and blankets in the garden and continue your evening alfresco.

HOME TIME

Are you planning a quick bite with friends or a party through to the early hours? Either way, try and convey this with your invitation arrangements so your guests are in the know. There’s nothing worse than your night finishing earlier than expected as everyone has a taxi at 10.30pm but equally, a 2am finish might ruin plans if you’re planning a super early start the next day.

GET CREATIVE

There are no rules when it comes to hosting a dinner party, brunch, or drinks party. The art of hosting is to ensure your guests are looked after and that’s all that really matters. There is no set format, menu, table spread, timing or structure to your event so be creative in what you do. Serve dessert first, eat outside in Winter, play heavy metal music. As long as your guests enjoy themselves, get creative and host something unique! Trust me, it will be a memorable night for your friends or family!

HOSTING ALFRESCO

We took a step towards re-establishing our social lives again this week with the allowance of group gatherings of up to 6 people in an outdoor space. This includes parks, private outdoor spaces and gardens. Hurrah!

Whilst this new rule allows us to meet with parents, siblings, grandparents and friends, social distancing rules still apply. However, with this welcome news and the continued delight of fair weather and sunshine, some carefully planned Alfresco Dining is certainly high on my agenda. (Let’s glide over the downpours of this weekend!)

Hosting and catering already requires preparation and planning and now we have an additional but important element to contend with; ensure we uphold the current health and safety advice by observing social distancing. Fear not and don’t over complicate your plans, the most important thing is to enjoy the company of those you haven’t seen for 10 plus weeks. Keep yourself out the kitchen and plan a long leisurely graze around your garden table, (or perhaps on picnic style rugs on the grass) and serve an afternoon tea!

The beauty of an afternoon tea is that everything can be prepared in advance and served cold so you can serve, sit, graze and amble your way through an afternoon of good company. Plates can be pre-served to reduce the amount of contact and bottled or canned drinks placed in an ice bucket for guests to help themselves. Never have the tiny mini bottles of wine had more purpose!

In keeping with the theme of Alfresco Dining, I have designed an afternoon tea menu, incorporating seasonal ingredients and garden themed dishes to enhance and elevate the sense of occasion and atmosphere. This menu has been designed so that those confident in the kitchen can pull together the dishes from scratch but equally, is just as good shop bought from local bakeries or farm shops. Or, why not order in with a doorstep catering delivery service?

Lay your table with a colourful floral cloth and punctuate with small bunches of seasonal blooms. Peonies are in season and are always a hit but sweet peas and stocks are also beautiful at this time of year.

Take your tablescape to the lawn and lay your tablecloth or picnic rugs on the grass. Throw in some cushions for comfort and if available, a couple of small or low tables for drinks and plates to be set aside.

For those interested in receving menus for any of the dishes above, please get in touch at sarah@beyondthetable.co.uk

Savor the good company of others, but please ensure you take all precautions to stay safe and stay socially distant.

Enjoy, Sarah x

Menu graphics and design by Stefania Sala.

THE ULTIMATE POST LOCK DOWN MENU THAT KEEPS YOU OUT OF THE KITCHEN!

When lock down is over and celebrations begin, the last thing you want it to be stuck in the kitchen when your friends and family arrive. You want to be involved, be present, and enjoy their company. Planning your menu is key to keeping you firmly out of the kitchen!

A little preparation is needed in advance and on the morning of your event, but it’s so worth it in the long run. You’ll have time to titivate your hosting space and maybe even have a little aperitif before hand.

My post lock down menu will look a little something like this.

……ON SARAH’S TABLE

APERITIVO

CLASSIC MARGARITA COCKTAIL

MINI FETA AND OLIVE STICKS

STARTER

KINGSCOTE BLANC DE BLANCS

BUFFALO MOZARELLA, BASIL AND HERITAGE TOMATOES

SOUR DOUGH LOAF WITH SALTED BUTTER

MAIN

DENBIES ZIG ZAG RED WINE OR CHAPEL DOWN BACCHUS

COLD ROAST BEEF WITH CHIMMI CHURRI

WHOLE ROASTED BALSAMIC NEW POTATOES

DUO OF CABBAGE COLESLAW AND WATERCRESS SALAD

DESSERT

LEMON POSSET

AFTERS

FRESHLY BREWED COFFEE AND FRANGELICO

MINI MERINGUE BITES WITH PISTACHIO

Whether you are a whizz in the kitchen, or a beginner, this menu is achievable for all with the right prep and shopping list. All courses can be prepared and cooked/assembled in advance, excluding the balsamic potatoes which are best served hot, but they look after themselves in the oven and need little to no attention at all!

All courses can be served individually on plates, or family style on large platters, whichever you prefer. Your margarita mix can be made in advance and kept in the fridge, ready to be shaken with ice (why not let your guests shake their own for a bit of fun!).

Have a fresh loaf, sourdough or focaccia, or bread rolls on the table when your guests sit down. This can feed hungry mouths before the starters arrive and also pairs well with your salad starter for those who have a big appetite. There’s nothing worse than a fridge cold tomato dish so prepping these in advance and simply keeping them in a shady area of your kitchen will pay dividends.

Medium rare cold roast beef is an absolute pleasure and offers a delicious but easy way to serve a main course with little to no time in the kitchen. The chimmi churri can be pre administered or, served on the table for guests to help themselves, depending on their love of spice. Potatoes are best hot and crispy so throw them in the oven at a medium/low temp just before everyone arrives and they’ll be ready whenever you need them!

Who doesn’t love a lemon posset, these can be made a day or so in advance and set in individual dishes ready to serve straight from the fridge. (Make a couple extra as you wont be able to resist eating one the night before once they are set!)

While away a little longer at the table with a coffee and a plate of something sweet to finish on. Homemade or shop bought, it really doesn’t matter, just enjoy being all together around your table. If the weather is on your side, move coffees to the garden, just pop everything on a tray and head outside, (again I prepare the cups and saucers in advance all on the tray ready to rumble.)

Most of all, even if it doesn’t all go quite to plan, enjoy yourself. x

WE WILL MEET AGAIN......

As The Queen so eloquently put in her address to the nation, once this is over, we will meet again.

For most, the thought of seeing family and friends after such a prolonged time apart will bring sheer delight. We will kiss for longer, embrace a little harder and be more present, relishing and making the most of re-established human contact.

For me, there is no doubt that I will be inviting my nearest and dearest to my home, to sit around my table, to eat, to drink, to laugh and to enjoy each other’s company again, for there may be no other instance quite
like this, ever again in our life time, that will bring such joy and emotion when we reunite.

For many, key events, celebrations and milestones have been cancelled or spent alone, or with immediate family only, including birthdays, weddings, engagements, pregnancy announcements, anniversaries, Mother’s Day and Easter, but too, some smaller yet significant events that would have been shared and celebrated, the tooth fairies first visit, completing on your new home, or introducing the newest member of the family.

When the time comes, we will celebrate, and we will celebrate well.

Now more than ever, is the time to ensure you are present when you host at home. Plan and make your arrangements in advance to allow you to greet every guest that walks through your door and to hug, and kiss, and chat to them whilst still making the occasion truly memorable and special. Open the bottle of wine you have been saving for that special occasion, get out the emergency chairs so you can invite all the family over, prepare a feast and do what the Italians do and sit, enjoy and while away the hours chatting and laughing over a long lunch, blow up balloons, order an amazing cake, whatever it might be, let’s make it memorable.

I would love, and be delighted to help you make those plan. If you are planning on inviting the family to be with you as soon as you can, and want some help with your menu planning, produce sourcing, table dressing
and special touches, please get in touch. We can discuss all of your options and make your plans ahead of time, ready for your impending invitation.

For more information and to start planning your event, please get in touch.

Sarah, x

WHAT IS A CONCEPT?

WHAT IS A CONCEPT?

When you think about ‘theming’ an event, it can sometimes sound a little over organised and gimmicky, it can put pressure on your guests who feel they have to conform to the theme and can very quickly over complicate proceedings. If we consider an event ‘concept’ rather than an event ‘theme’, things become a little more straight forward. It is an idea, and a plan. A concept can simply tie everything together from the start so the event is seamless, considered and effortless for both you and your guests. A concept will assist your decision making process along the way and gives you a goal to work towards keeping you on track so your event is consistent.

CREATING A CONCEPT - BLANC ET NOIR

Blanc et Noir is really just a snazzy way of saying a black and white party, but that’s been done before, so let’s think a little outside the box on this occasion and do things a little differently.

Despite sounding like a solid, one dimensional concept, it is in fact incredibly versatile and can be used for almost any type of event. It is perfect for a milestone birthday celebration or engagement drinks with hand written font invitations, elegant outfits and delicate black and white linens. Equally with a little change in direction, it can be an ideal theme for a children’s birthday lunch, with zebra and panda print decorations, oversized white balloons, a picnic tea and a pop of colour.

Pinterest offers the perfect platform to draw together your inspirations and to get planning. Add and delete as your concept develops and include some graphics and print images which will help tie colours and styles together.

DELIVERING A CONCEPT - THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY

You’re happily engaged and are celebrating with close family, its a Spring evening and you’re hosting 25 for a drinks party…….

Family invitations often circulate like wildfire so this doesn’t need to be too formal. Paperless post offer a simple yet well designed method of sending beautiful invitations straight to your guests inbox, you can see who has opened them, (who’s ignoring you!) and your guests can reply directly back to you. 3 - 4 weeks is generally about the amount of advance notice you should give your guests.

Being Spring, Peonies, Tulips and Sweet Peas are in season and are perfect blooms for your BLANC ET NOIR engagement concept. Cluster stems together in large bunches and always ensure there is a focal piece on the centre of your table. Engage a florist to create the arrangements for you or source the flowers and enjoy arranging them yourself. Whilst the flowers will provide some fragrance, add a burst of scent to your home by teaming them with The White Company NOIR candles which have notes of Mandarin and Sandlewood, a perfect accompaniment.

Dressing yourself can be as much fun as dressing your house. Think back to your concept and incorporate this into your outfit. I would advise not taking this too far but reflect BLANC ET NOIR in your garment choice. Dress fabulously (all eyes are going to be on you and the new addition to your ring finger!), but remember to be comfortable whilst you host. I think shoes are a must, but only a small heel, or flats.

Always prepare your catering in advance to allow the time for you to get ready before your guests arrive. Spend the afternoon setting the house and prep your food and any catering so this is simply ready to pull out and serve when needed.  Ensure any cold drinks are chilled for a minimum of 3 hours, that you have plenty of ice and any garnishes are chopped in advance. This is your event, so any and all preparation that can be done in advance, do it. This allows you to be present, enjoy yourself, chat and engage with your family.

Champagne or something sparkling is a must when celebrating. Champagne is always a winner, but so are some of the local sparkling wines available, and why wouldn’t we support local English produce when it tastes so good (I’ve done some research). FITZ sparkling wine is crisp and delicious as is Camel Valley, you’re celebrating so ensure you have enough for a couple of glasses each.  Have an ice bucket and Champagne coupes ready to pour as each guest arrives and rotate the cold bottles from the fridge when each one runs dry. And why not have an Espresso Martini Bar set up for later in the evening. This ties in with your sophisticated concept perfectly, and who doesnt love an Espresso Martini later into the evening.

For canapes and finger food don’t forget to have serviettes or napkins on hand to clean fingers and rescue rogue bits of canape. Whether you decide to go linen or paper, Etsy has some amazing designs perfect for this concept. For a special touch, have you and your partners name and your engagement date printed onto the serviettes, or for a more permanent momento The Embroidered Napkin Company embroiders your personal monogram, names and dates onto your choice of linen. 

(I will be posting my favourite dinner and drinks party canapes soon, so keep an eye for my recommended recipes.)

For ambience and atmosphere, order some giant white helium balloons to have at your entrance and a large cluster in a corner of the main party area. Keep main lights off and put on floor and table lamps for atmospheric lighting and always light lots of candles. Have music on from the start at a low background level, this can always be turned up later in the evening (hopefully you get on with your neighbours). Finally, as it’s a special occasion, why not finish the concept with a caricaturist and ask for black and white drawings. Hire them for a couple of hours at the beginning of the night to capture the joyous occasion and as a keepsake your guests and family can take home to cherish.

Enjoy, Sarah x

BEYOND THE TABLE CONCEPT BOARD - Images from Pinterest.