BEAUTIFUL TABLESCAPES

Tablecapes Designer Arria Bland G rowing up, my mother would often set a beautiful table with a Ba enburg lace white tablecloth and fi ne china, which signifi ed to me that it was time to celebrate a special occasion. My love of fl owers stemmed from time spent with my grandmother, Dorothy Fender, who loved to garden and grow beautiful fl owers. Because she grew up during the

Great Depression, she was reluctant to use the “good stuff ” for an everyday table se ing. She always wanted to save it for a special occasion. I always wondered what we were saving it for. I vowed that I would break out the “good stuff ” and treat every gathering as a special occasion because life is a gift worth celebrating.

As a member of various supper clubs and now the Good Company Book

Club, I have found that my favorite part of entertaining is se ing the table and arranging the fl owers. I view my tablescapes as another opportunity to express my creativity. Floral arrangements are just like paintings to me. I love weaving the colors, textures, and shapes together to create something that my guests will enjoy. I love when the meal is over, and everyone chooses to linger around the table reminiscing about the good times and everyday life. I cherish the

conversations and the laughter shared.

I love that the dining table is a place to be thankful, connect with family and friends, enjoy beautiful fl owers and delicious food. I want my table to refl ect how much I love the folks gathered around it and how much I appreciate them. I want everyone to know that they are special and worth every eff ort. An incredible tablescape is my love language and I enjoy every minute of making it come to life! |WM

“I want my ta e to ect how much I love the folks ga ered around it.” “An incredi e ta esca is my love language.”

“Floral arrangements are just like paintings to me. I love weaving the colors, textures, and shapes together to create something that my guests will enjoy.”