Nature, lighting & nourishing food: the art of a spring tablescape 

Former Fashion Editor Grace Cahill has styled and directed shoots in Ireland, London, Paris and Los Angeles. In 2023, she launched Styled with Grace, a bespoke styling service and, ahead of her appearance at the PTSB Ideal Home Show, she shares her tips to creating a joyful Easter tablescape.

Hello March! The weather may still be changeable but the first month of spring always feels like a mood-boosting shift. The heaviness of winter starts to fade and there’s a grand, golden stretch in the evening. I’m a spring-summer girl at heart and always cherish this time of year, when vibrant floral prints along with bursts of colours start to pique our interest again.

Nothing heralds the arrival of warmer months quite like a colourful tablescape and I love how much it brings our dining space to life, spilling out to the terrace when the weather is sunny. For me, spring symbolises the return of long, lazy gatherings outside with the barbecue fired up. There is no better feeling than watching your family and friends come together in your home and creating a relaxing atmosphere for them that feels warm and memorable. 

Eastertime always feels like the perfect opportunity to get creative with and switch up your everyday table with thoughtful touches or a fun theme. The love you put in spills into the mood of the day or evening.  

Here are my styling tips for the season ahead:

Let your surroundings influence the mood and food

Spring hosting means embracing the undeniable charm of dining alfresco. This time of year brings some of our best weather, so utilise your indoor/outdoor garden space as much as you can and include seasonal elements from healthy local produce to nature inspired decor and freshly picked blooms. Similarly, I’d always recommend leaning to softnatural light and allowing that to add beautiful texture and glow to your table. I always appreciate when there’s a considered, cohesive feel between the space, styling, menu and food.

Be creative 

The most imaginative tables are the often the least expensive. A little thought goes a long way especially coming into spring when you can add fun, character and warmth via the finer details. Collect some branches and use them as centrepiece in a pretty vase. I love picking up fresh flowers on my daily walk for decorating the table or embellishing on napkins. 

Mix old, new and borrowed materials 

You don’t need to buy a whole new collection of tableware or linen to embrace a theme. I love a hodgepodge of older vintage tableware with more rustic elements like rattan placemats or bamboo cutlery. Similarly old linen can be reworked as a ruched runner or napkins can be restyled in a sweet bow or draped under a side place. 

Embrace the outdoors

The beauty of spring and summer are the longer, balmier evenings but if it’s still too cold, bring colour and texture from the garden via flowers, plants, pots and vases. Colour always feel joyous, and I love adding it via fresh baby breath, tulips, dahlia and hydrangea. 

Use lighting to your advantage 

Nothing beats a candlelit offering but if you’re dining late or outside, fairy lights are a lovely touch and add a lot of ambience.  

Grace Cahill will be chatting with Jo Linehan on the DFS Interiors Theatre at the PTSB Ideal Home Show on Friday 26^th where she will be sharing all of her top tablescaping styling tips to bring your home into spring.

The PTSB Ideal Home Show runs from 26^th to 28^th April in the RDS Dublin.

Book your discounted ticket today for Friday HERE!