The Center of The Dining Table Inspired by Nature

HOW TO'S

Aug 16

Clients often come to me expressing the challenging struggles of creating a lasting, impactful centerpiece for their dining table. While many designers add more detail and drama to the table through the centerpiece, I have a different approach, in that I like to keep my dining table neutral in lieu of a permanent centerpiece suitable for everyday living. The neutral palette acts as a canvas, and allows me the versatility of creating an intentional centerpiece without restrictions. I can add specific elements inspired by the intricate beauty of nature all year round, and bring the outside in.

I approach my dining spaces with a laid-back perspective - breathable and simple, inviting you to evolve as you spontaneously entertain. I’m drawn to the comforting tradition of relaxed gathering and sharing a meal. It nourishes and refreshes our souls. These are the moments that create lasting memories and empower us on our journey forward.

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.”

Cesare Pavese

As I approach this season of my life, I am reminded of the comforts that make a story-filled home. I lean into the beauty that inspires me when visualizing the feeling of my table. I am constantly inspired by ‘faded’ beauty and dried flora from nature; this natural element adds texture and is often seen on the center of the table and throughout my home. I’m constantly changing them out and finding new ways to use them creatively as the seasons change.

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With its chilly presence, Autumn is the perfect invitation to bring warmth and rich texture to the table. It starts with a foraged centerpiece and evolves into an intentionally comforting menu of slow-cooked pan-seared pork chops with fresh thyme, gratin potatoes, apples with fresh greens, and pecan pie.

For me, the space isn’t just about what you see but how it makes you feel. It starts at the center of the table and unknowingly becomes a part of the experience. The subtle hues from nature inspire the beauty of the dried arrangement. There is allurement in creating an intentional table with beauty, layered in patina, foraged stems, and curated with a mix of old and new dinnerware, linens, and soft glowing candles. It gives us pleasure in a familiar sense of belonging in the moment.

Heirloom and Found objects with the patina of age are rich with history, each with a story. These cherished objects feel like old friends beautifully layered into your tablescape. When you add these pieces to your life, you enrich your home and simultaneously add a deeper belonging to the past and the present.

I love the autumn season, the lower sunlight, and foraged stems dried by the cooler temps, comfort foods, roaring fires, and lingering dinners around the table that leave you feeling loved and connected to the moment.