Making an effort to set the table
For as long as I can remember, setting the table has been something I’ve cared about. Even when it’s just me, or a simple dinner during the week, I’ve always made a little effort, laying out a tablecloth, lighting some candles and pouring a glass of wine. It’s not about formality or when guests are over. It’s about how it makes you feel. Somehow, when the table is set, the meal feels more intentional. The evening feels more special. Life feels that little bit more beautiful.
It’s probably because this was passed down to me by my mother and even my grandmother, who would go to the extent of setting the table for breakfast the night before — the idea that even simple things deserve care. I remember growing up and watching the table being set on Saturday evenings, with Russell Watson’s album The Voice playing softly in the background. The smell of dinner wafting through the house, and the soft lighting that made everything seem warmer. That memory never left me. Even now, I think that’s why I love creating atmosphere — because it connects me to those small, quiet moments that feel like home.
Creating Ritual in Everyday Life
During the week, when life gets busy and routines take over, I find comfort in small rituals. Lighting candles before dinner or pouring a glass of wine — these small gestures make an ordinary evening feel special. It’s become something I look forward to. A pause in the day. A chance to slow down and be present. I think that’s what I love most about setting the table: it’s not just decoration, it’s an act of care — for yourself, and for whoever shares the meal with you.
Following the Seasons
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know how much I love a seasonal tablescape. In summer, it’s all about alfresco dining — long evenings, fresh flowers, and light linens. In winter, it’s the opposite: candlelight, texture, and warmth.
Living in the countryside makes it easy to find inspiration. The garden and the woods provides all I need — a few fallen beech leaves, a some pine cones or maybe a branch of winter foliage. These natural elements make their way onto the table, creating something that feels real uniquely my own creation
For this winter table, I’ve kept it simple and leaned into a somewhat slight Halloween theme with the use of pumpkins: a natural linen cloth, earthenware plates from Home Store and More, and rattan underchargers from Hedgeroe Home that add a rustic touch. Each napkin is tied with natural twine and a single beach sprig.
The Glow of Candlelight
Light changes everything. I never use overhead lighting, a single candle can transform a table, softening the room.
For this table, I used the elegant Rathbornes 1488 Dinner Candles, placed in black candlesticks from Nordic Nest. Their tall, white simplicity feels timeless. To add warmth, I lit the Seanchaí Ember Candle from Rathbornes 1488 — its scent of pink pepper, pear, magnolia, and rose, layered with cedarwood and a touch of roasted coffee, fills the room with comfort. It reminds me of winter evenings spent by the fire, good company, and a good conversation that stretches into the night.
Setting the table, for me, is about gratitude. It’s about slowing down long enough to notice the beauty in everyday life — these moments may be small, but they’re the ones that stay with us.
Link to Rathbornes Dinner Candles
Link to Rathbornes Seanchai Ember
This post contains affiliate links