E AT & D R I N K
TABLE TALK
A Place at the Table Explore the underrated art of tablescape design Written by CHRISTIE GALEANO-DEMOTT
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well-designed, well-thought-out, and well-executed tablescape sets the mood for a dinner party or event before a syllable is uttered. But creating this masterpiece is easier said than done. So, we asked Alisa Chirdaris, owner of Pialisa and South Florida’s premier fête stylist extraordinaire, for her industry tips and tricks to ensure a flawless tablescape design. Chirdaris turned her photography hobby into a career pivot when she became a wedding photographer upon moving back to the States after quitting London’s corporate world in search of more balance in her life. But after shooting one uninspired tablescape after another, she turned her deflated attitude into another career shift and opened Pialisa Party Equipment Rentals six years ago. Now, instead of complaining about an event’s lack of creativity, she could do something about it by helping her clients fashion soirées that are equally effortless and striking. By renting dinnerware delivered straight to their door, her clients don’t have to do the dishes after hosting a long evening, and Chirdaris is happy to take that chore off their plate (pun intended). Is there anything better than that? “On a surface level, we provide high-end tableware for events, but it’s much more than that,”she explains.“Our company matters because we really care about our clients. That’s what our company is about. That’s who we are. The product could be anything—it’s the service that matters.”
TIPS & TRICKS
DETERMINE THE THEME
Think about the mood you want to set for the event. Is it a sophisticated affair or a casual, relaxed gathering? Your tablescape is your party’s first impression, so also consider the emotions you want your guests to feel when they enter. Calm? Excited?
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CHOOSE A COLOR PALETTE
Whether you want your table’s color to be on trend with Pantone’s color of the year (peach fuzz), or want to incorporate a tried-and-true classic blue-and-white palette, Chirdaris recommends weaving your personality into the event. If you love color and want to host a lively event, don’t choose just white and gold. Create an ombre table arrangement where it starts at red on one end and continues through the colors of the rainbow. EMBRACE YOUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT
Select linen textures that align with your theme and where the party is. Is your event in a warm, sunny setting? Pick a soft, light linen. Or is it in the snowy mountains? Choose a cozy but sophisticated velvet. Also, look around to see what you can pull from your environment to incorporate into your design. In Florida, we have palm leaves and bright seasonal vegetables. CONSIDER YOUR GUESTS
How can you honor them and make them feel special?“The details make it unique and special,” Chirdaris says. Personalizing a menu with their names is nice, but take it up a notch. If it’s a hot day, add a fan to the place setting. If it’s cold, a wrap to stay warm will show them you care. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
When thinking about the table design, try something different, like placing the tables in a U-shape or square so that everyone can see each other and feel like part of the conversation. And lean in to using place cards for seating assignments. Chirdaris suggests sitting people together that don’t know each other but you hope will hit it off.“I like to unite people, and I want them to walk away with new friends.”
bocamag.com • • • • May/June 2024
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