How to style a rustic table

There are 3 elements I use every time I style a rustic table setting…

Colour palette is everything. You want to stick with all neutrals – all the shades of beiges and browns, warm whites and soft golden tones. When you contrast that with say a classic Hamptons setting (crisp blues and cool whites) or an Industrial setting (high contrast blacks, browns and metals), a rustic setting needs to feel calm, relaxed and literally neutral! If you’re tempted to add say a bright pink or green, for example, can you see how the images above would change complelety to more of a happy country feel rather than a calming rustic look.

Texture is then what makes it feel so soft, lived in, and inviting. Our Heritage linen is super slubby and textural with the visual look of an old grain sack but thankfully not scratchy! Your linen is the base of any table setting, then build up…layering items creates texture – notice I’ve stacked my warm white plates and greige plates, and do you notice I deliberately chose plates with uneven surfaces, shapes and edges. They’re not perfect looking (like a modern table setting would be). I’ve also layered the table with three linens in the first image and they’re not placed super flat – create some waves! I even chose my dessert to work within the look – chocolate hot cross buns with their imperfect, darker brown shapes, and a very crumbly and gooey rolled caramel pavlova (more neutrals and texture!). My Easter eggs are unwrapped from their colourful foils and presented in a cute (textured) bunny bowl, displaying them au naturel showcases their chocolatey goodness. And I promise you, they did not last long after the shoot they looked so good.

Old Wares bring vintage warmth and are an essential part of a rustic table setting. You don’t want them to overpower the look however, or you tip over into a vintage nostalgia or more formal antique look. Include one or two elements only. I splurged on the rusty French urn (with literal rust!) because how gorgeous is it. It’s a mini size too so it’s not so big in the overall setting. The little vase to the right of the urn was a less expensive glass piece but its dark aubergine tint is reminiscent of old glass and the shape reminds me of apothecary bottles.