As Emilia Wickstead launches her debut homeware collection on Moda Operandi, chock full with Italian table linens and delicate Murano glasses in dusty grapefruit and limoncello hues, she shares her table-setting tips
Keep the atmosphere light
The key to a successful dinner party is to create a naturally warm and humble atmosphere. This energy is what draws in the best crowd, the best conversations and the most fun. I don′t have a signature dish - my husband cooks and I curate the presentation of everything. We open a bottle of red wine and have a lot of fun preparing a playlist - Elvis, Bill Withers, Neil Young all have to be on there. My daughter helps me set the table.
Opt for Scabiosa
I love FlowerBx, who deliver one type of flower in bunches to your doorstep. I love bunches of the same flower in an assortment of mismatched vases, as opposed to mixing flowers together. At the moment I love Scabiosa and Eucharis Lily most of all.
Make an effort with the aperitif
Shrimp cocktails and Bellinis, Margaritas and dirty Martinis are my favourite drinks to serve as guests arrive. As for glasses on the table, I love my new grapefruit-hued Murano glasses, but you should never have more than three per person on the table.
Get creative with your place settings
To celebrate Christmas a few years ago, I held a dinner for 50 guests and each of their name places was a snow globe with their name inside, and the menu on the other. For my recent birthday party the name places comprised match boxes containing long-stemmed matches which ended up being used the entire evening to re-light the candles, which kept being blown out by the wind. The boxes also had ‘E’ and ‘W’ sparklers inside, which were lit when the birthday cake came out. It was brilliant fun and added an element of surprise.
Switch up your linens
My mother, Angela Wickstead Home, makes the best linens. And of course, I love the new styles in my home collection for Moda Operandi, for which I took inspiration from Dorothy Draper′s exuberant florals and whimsical ways of entertaining.
Always take a bottle of champagne
I love it when a guest brings a bottle of champagne - my favourite. As for the best thank you gift? A handwritten note is always appreciated.
