I was so honoured to host a pop-up last week at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint in London's Belgravia. We share a love for rich colours backed up by ecological principles (they just won Sustainable Interiors Brand of the year at the Country & Town House awards!).
On Friday morning, we held a sold-out tablescaping masterclass in aid of Vimukti Sanstha, the non-profit for girls' education that I support in Jaipur. Here are our top tips - both from Edward's team of colour experts and my table styling experience from the last 6 years.
TIP 1
Palette
Edward Bulmer paints are made with traditional pigments inspired by nature and colour theory, this means they coordinate seamlessly. Not to mention the fact they're breathable, healthy with no harmful VOCs or microplastics.
TIP 2
Tonal Tip
Layering up shades of the same colour is an easy route to elegance. Here, we followed nature's lead with my green tablecloth and menus and candles painted with Fine Green, Verdigris and Invisible Green (the conservatory's colour).
TIP 3
Contrast Colours
Tap into complimentary colours. For example, red velvet ribbons to tie the cutlery on our green tablescape would feel ready for Christmas Day. Scattering a few orange clementines and persimmon fruits on the indigo blue table would delight the eye in a daring way.
TIP 4
Golden Touch
Forever festive, gold cutlery and candlesticks bring warmth, light and opulence to the calm and depth to blues, echoing the night sky and perfect for New Year's Eve.
$124.00
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Rosanna drew this print based on a bouquet from a midwinter English garden: ranunculus, hellebore and myrtle berries intertwine on an indigo blue base. The drawing was traced and carved into a wood block; a meticulous process that requires exact techniques handed-down through generations. The tablecloth was then hand block printed by the talented artisans with whom she works in Jaipur. Finally, it is finished with a 6-inch ruffle edge.
Blue is a timeless, elegant choice for the dining table, as apt for New Year’s Eve as a summer lunch party.
Printed by hand, no two tablecloths are ever quite the same. Block printing is an expert heritage craft, whether it is the deft, delicate touch required to carve the motifs from teak or pear wood, or the light, exact tap used to stamp onto fabric.
Standard: 170cm x 270cm
Large: 180cm x 400cm
220cm round (coming soon)
Pictured: 270cm standard size (note the hem was dropped closer to the floor for the photo shoot)
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Most of all, have fun with colour. Christmas is a time of year for joy, personality and experimentation! Minimalism can wait until January!
Shop the look below. Affiliate links included. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.
With many thanks to the following brands for their generous support of this charity event:
Candles: Candle Flair (painted by Rosanna)
Catering: Pocket Rocket
Dress: Beulah
Green candlesticks: Addison Ross
Flowers: Wild At Heart
Plates, glasses, cutlery: Bonadea
Spritz: Mirabeau
The Journal
Entertaining A Crowd
Tips and ideas for hosting large numbers for a sit-down dinner at home.
Colour with Edward Bulmer
Festive tips from our pop-up and tablescape masterclass at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.
Block Printed Bed Quilts
A new addition for winter: hand-block printed and hand-quilted bedding exclusive to RF.