Bring it to the table

Published on 19-10-2014

If we’ve learnt anything from MasterChef, My Kitchen Rules and The Block, it’s that presentation is everything. When it comes to interiors this mantra holds true from your choice of overall colour palette and furniture styling right down to the utensils on your dining table, so homewares are more important than you might think. Whether you want a whole theme or just a few accent pieces, handcrafted tableware adds the final flourish to an African-inspired decor.

When designing your tablescape the best approach is to start in the middle and work your way out, utilising a soapstone vase or carved wooden bowl as the anchor for the rest of the table. As striking centrepieces go, it’s hard to beat our hand-carved wooden fruit bowls with a handle formed by a pair of kissing zebras or giraffes. Or you could opt for a less ornate wooden bowl and fill it with African colour and spice to arouse the senses. Peppercorns, cardamom pods, whole nutmeg and cumin seeds will create a rich aroma and you can add African flowers such as impala lilies and leopard orchids for a hint of luxury. You may also choose to add sculpted wooden or soapstone candle holders, sugar bowls and other communal items around the centrepiece.

Moving out to the individual place settings, define each with a woven placemat and if you’re feeling adventurous you could cut a banana leaf to size and place it on top. Coasters with animal carvings or paintings are sure to start a conversation and may even help the kids get excited about their table manners. With so many organic textures on the table, you can create contrast with sleek metal cutlery and smooth modern plates and glassware to complete each setting.

Now that you’ve set the table, just add loved ones and you’re ready for the food. As any chef will tell you, we eat with our eyes first; but did you know there’s actually research to back this up? Several studies have shown that when we find food visually appealing it not only increases our enjoyment but we also absorb more nutrients from it. Impress your guests and nourish your family by using fresh whole foods, natural herbs and spices and plenty of bright colours.

Forget about fancy plating though - go for family-style communal eating served from central bowls. This way everyone can get involved in an interactive and tactile experience, using hand-carved servers to help themselves as they pass the wooden bowls around and carry the African theme right through to everyday life.

As always with interior decor, it’s all about context. No matter how stunning your African table looks, it won’t make sense unless you have other balancing elements within the space. You don’t have to go overboard, but a tasteful selection of African paintings or wall hangings, bronze or wooden sculptures and perhaps an African throw rug or cushion cover will round it out nicely.