An Autumn Inspired Easter Table

Scheming up and setting a joyful and pretty table is something I find truly gratifying, particularly when it comes to finding inspiration. Given it’s now autumn here in New Zealand, I’ve gone for an autumn-inspired table, as the colours outside right now are nothing short of breathtaking.

Of course, I never like to set the exact same table twice, but I also don’t like to go out and buy everything new each season. In fact, over the last couple of years especially, I’ve become highly conscious of what I consume and put careful consideration into anything I buy, opting to “buy less but buy well”. Meaning, slowing down the desire to consume “new”, but when I do buy, I buy the best quality I can afford, or ideally vintage or handmade over mass produced. 

I also avoid buying plastics at all costs, instead opting for natural materials and sustainable and/or ethically sourced products. My tableware and settings are no different and I truly believe that if you buy less often but only buy quality pieces (or even handmade or vintage), they will stand the test of time, both aesthetically and physically.

This Easter we have friends coming for brunch, and neighbours for evening drinks, but I had no intention of buying anything new other than food! I already have enough for many tablescapes over (in part also due to the styling work I do), so it was simply just a matter of finding new inspiration and mixing n’ matching what we already had in a fresh new way.

I will say the tablecloth and wine glasses were both bought last year. The tablecloth is actually a linen bedsheet that I use as a tablecloth (after buying it for a magazine shoot), and the wine glasses are replacements from the UK after a lot of our stemware got smashed in the move from Australia (just one of many damages we incurred, but more on that whole experience with our overseas removalists soon!).

In terms of styling, I prefer a slightly more restrained table setting these days and don’t want to cram my table full of too much “stuff”. I also love to let nature take a staring role, and that’s certainly the case with these autumn branches ablaze in fiery saffron-hued leaves. I knew they’d look gorgeous with the tablecloth and my favourite hand painted Bee & Hive plates from France, but I also wanted the table to feel as if you’re almost sitting under a canopy of autumn colour.

The cutlery is vintage, the rattan placemats many years old, and the linen stripe napkins are couple of years old but probably my most versatile and used napkins of all time. They go with everything and any stain has always washed out. It’s remarkable how good they wash up every time.

The candle is also 100% natural beeswax as I’ve made a conscious choice to only burn natural beeswax candles, because I had no idea how toxic paraffin waxes are (both to breathe in and for the environment). In fact, beeswax candles are not only sustainable but they also release negative irons which help purify the air, rather than omit toxic petroleum derived chemicals like paraffin waxes do.

The plate holding the pears (which are from a friends tree) is an antique Moustiers plate and I adore it. Works well as a pasta bowl or to hold fruit.

The sweet ceramic bunny napkin holders are from Pottery Barn (also from several years ago) which you can see here in my most liked Easter table post. I haven’t used them in a while so was happy to add them to this years table as they are so sweet.

Anyway, I hope this post not only inspires your table settings, but also makes you think about how and what you consume going forward.

I wholeheartedly believe our planet cannot sustain the amount us humans are consuming (and so many scientists and studies tell us this as well), and I worry for my children’s future. I’ll admit it’s not always easy in this day and age when we are bombarded with products, and ads, and social media influencers spruiking product left, right and centre. However, I think if we start to make a conscious shift into buying much less often, but buying things for their quality and longevity, even things we can pass down to our children, our planet and our climate will thank us. Or even better, buy vintage, antique or second hand and then there’s almost zero impact on our planet.

Regardless I wish you all a wonderful, safe and happy Easter with loved ones.

Nicki xo