A gathering full of magic as sunset light dances across the table – as delightful for the senses as the food is delicious. I have a big love of creating beautiful tables for gatherings- there is something about setting the table with love for friends and family. With a hope that it inspires guests to soak and simmer a little longer and take beautiful memories home with them. Today we jumping in for a closer look at a setting I created for my book Inspired Gatherings. Full of peonies and pretty and bathed in the most gorgeous sunset light- it was pure magic to create and photograph.
A styled and storied Peony table
I am often asked if the tables and scenes I photograph are real & yes, they are indeed real. Whether hosting in person guests or enjoying the ambiance as I photograph something curated for work, these captures are of actual moments as they happen.
This table started with those luscious peonies. I adore cream and pale blush peonies and these were perfection. I wanted to create a varied height of peony beauty along the centerpiece of the table- but without creating a heavy centerpiece. So I used clear bottles and jars for vases which allowed the centerpiece to somewhat blend and mesh in with the rest of the setting and the flowers to take center stage.
Tip: Clear wine bottles, water bottles and jars of all shapes and sizes are perfect for holding single or a couple of flower stems. They are unassuming and don’t ask for attention, even when decorated with a delightful label like this one.
The Layers
Bring in the layers of lovely in the place settings with simple white dishes, vintage silver flatware and pretty blush glasses.
It really is all in the layers when it comes to create a visually interesting look. The dishes are simple, the linens are just that- flax linen in a natural shade, and the flatware is collected vintage silver.
Since this styling for a brunch type set up- we brought in croissants, coffee, brie cheese and such for a simple spread.
Sunset Light
As the sun began to drop just a wee bit down behind the tree tops, that beautiful light would shift and move with it and when it just happened to land on the flowers- well it was photography perfection. Always chasing that beautiful light as a photographer and this time, without any planning for where the light would hit, it landed in the perfect spot to high light the flowers. I probably took about 2 dozen photos before the light shifted again- so dreamy.
You can see more of this setting in my book INSPIRED GATHERINGS currently just $22
Would you like to join a gathering like this one?
Happy Wednesday friends.
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