ECO TABLESCAPES
A “tablescape” (a word I’ve borrowed from event designer Fiona Leahy) is a table setting for food — but a really good one! Lockdown has seen a movement towards creating the “restaurant” experience at home with more of you cooking than ever and getting creative with your tables — Laura Jackson launched her #makeamealofit hashtag right at the start of quarantine so there’s lots of inspiration out there already. Some of my favourite people to follow for inspo are @mrsalice @eagletta @rachelastory @serena_fresson @hillhousevintage @eieshabp.
In the spirit of tablescapes, I’m sharing my round-up of eco brands who are creating beautiful table linen, ceramics and glassware ideal for tszujing up your dining table.
Weez & Merl use LDPE plastic (commonly found in carrier bags, bubble wrap and other flexible sheet packaging) to show that rather than being thrown away, the material can be used to create beautiful products.
British Colour Standard red placemat and glasses, Hadeda cactus tablecloth, Montes and Clark green and white striped napkins, Rebecca Udall green placemat and red napkin
British Colour Standard is all about championing colour through eco, sustainable and Fair Trade products. Their rainbow tableware would be at home on anyone’s table.
Mara Vera was founded by Drashta Sarvaiya from the desire to blend modern design with sustainability in our daily lives. Through Mara Vera, she collaborates with master artisans in Gujarat and Rajasthan and works with locally sourced materials to deliver high quality, handmade textiles. Her small business invests 5% of proceeds from every sale in the development of local artisan communities in India.
Hadeda is a collective of unique home and lifestyle collections sourced from talented artisans and co-ops across many disciplines including fashion, ceramics, art, weaving, beading and carpentry from Africa.
Rebecca’s placemats and napkins are becoming increasingly easy to spot on Instagram thanks to their unique shapes and unusual colours. Designed to last a lifetime and beyond, each piece is made using exceptional linens, sourced and sold direct from the best heritage weavers within Europe — the "holy grail" of linen manufacturing.
Ely Basketmaker green placemat and coaster, Rebecca Udall white rattan charger and brown rattan charger, artisanal wooden chopping board from Crystal Palace Farmers Market, Athenian Olive wooden spoons, Hadeda carafe
Nadine’s placemats are woven using fresh water rush harvested with her family in waterways around Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Founded by Textiles Designer Alice Munteanu, Casa de Folklore offers a unique range of artisanal products, each with a strong identity and a practical purpose in the home. Every one-of-a-kind piece comes straight to you from the artisan's workshop.
Montes & Clark specialises in pieces that bring colour to the home, working with craftspeople and crafts communities to bring us beautiful, unusual pieces of textiles, ceramics and glassware.
SZ Blockprints blue printed napkin, Montes and Clark green stripe napkin and speckled glasses, Ely Basketmaker coaster, British Colour Standard blue placemat
Refuse fabric repurposed into napkins — a clever way to ensure nothing goes to waste in manufacturing.
Nkuku was founded on the back of a life-changing adventure on a year-long round-the-world trip. Celebrating talented craftspeople globally and their beautiful work, the brand sells tableware including trays, serving bowls and cutlery.
Ely Basketmaker green placemat, SZ Blockprints blue printed napkins, Montes and Clark yellow striped placemat