Megan Halkett
Fall in Love with Fall Colours
Fall in Love with Fall Colours
Megan Halkett
A look back at Summer 2023
A look back at Summer 2023
Susan Hyatt
A look back at Summer 2022 as we move into the ...
A look back at Summer 2022 as we move into the holiday season.
Susan Hyatt
A look at Spring 2022
A look at Spring 2022
Susan Hyatt
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays

Fall in Love with Fall Colours

It is always sad to say goodbye to the Summer months, but Fall brings the colored leaves, cozy fires, stews and scarfs.

 

Dried Garden Hydrangeas……

I enjoyed drying these and placing in the just right basket and adding the wide ribbon for this end of Summer Early fall tablescape.


Olive Branch sprays set the tone for this Fall Table…..

Loved mixing the blacks and tans and adding in the animal theme chargers and glassware. I felt the black dishes were a nice Contrast.


Autumn Vibes……

A large scarf with golds and greens anchors this table with golden candle holders and straw placemats.

Gauzy napkins with beaded gold napkin rings looked lovely on the green rimmed plates.


Pumpkin Themed table on a small patio on a lovely fall day.

Very simple with glass charges, pumpkins in bowls and for the centerpiece a wooden bowl filled with veggies in season anchored by a large pumpkin off to the side and below. The fall leaf napkin ties it all together

Happy Thanksgiving……

Give Thanks from my Home to your Yours…….

The large cornucopia sent the theme for this tablescape this Thanksgiving. Loved the tumbling silk blooms of fall colors, the yelllkow candles. To add more green I went with green chargers and simple yellow napkins with tags with my guest’s names.

Notice the runner with pumpkins in orange velvet

For the glassware I mixed light green glass with golden glass.

December is coming! Reindeer Theme Table Inspiration!

Red tartan placemats and black gathered runner on a wooden plank with candle gave the warm feeling I was going for.

Cranberries in glass with a white candle were simple to add to this festive table. I added sprigs of green with red berries here and there and finished it off with a red bow around the reindeer’s neck.

Time to Start Planning a Christmas Luncheon?…….all in silvers and whites.

Usually I am full color at Christmas and rich jeweled tones but not this time.

I placed a large piece of grey silk in the center of the table and placed a white garland and in the middle anchored my silver Christmas tree.

I used all white linen and just folded the napkin.

I made my custom traditional crackers wrapped in silver and white tied with silver see through ribbon and reused my Christmas tree tags edged in silver from a few years back.

Lastly I filled two crystal containers with silver bits and white and silver balls to tie in with all the silvers and whites and silver chargers.

A look back at Summer 2023

Once again Summer seems to have flown right by and we are already well into Autumn.

Best Dressed Tables continues to keep me busy with sales and promotions. Please contact me if you would like a signed copy!

Here is a look at my favourite summer tables!


Friday Flamingos

My Annual Flamingo table was all in pinks and reds this year which I enjoyed doing.

Navy and White

The white tablecloth with navy palm trees was a good find and I used navy glass beads, corals and seashells. The navy candle holders worked well along with the touches of blue glassware and salad plates.

Sunflowers and Tribute to a Dear Friend

I lost my dear friend Roger this year and used his vase and figurines to make this table perfect. I wanted it to have a Mexican feel and added the chips and salsa.

 Father’s Day

A simple table with straw placemats, a palm tree and shells with paper napkins and votives filled with greenery completed this tabletop.

Summer Delight

I was so happy to be given a lovely set of Maxwell Williams soft green glass dishes by my dear friend Iain from Sydney, Australia and went straight to work on this table.

The white linen tablecloth and green placemats which I added a white charger plate and the green plates was exactly the look I wanted.

The centerpiece of fresh lemons and silk hydrangeas and petals was gently and added some colour. Topping off the table was the individual key lime tarts placed on a green leaf.

 

Al Fresco Dining

I styled this on my upper courtyard around the lounge area and did it all in beiges and whites with a scarf I the beige and white twisted here and there around the shells and sand dollars on a string.

 All about Barbie

With the new Barbie Movie, I had to style a Barbie Table and what fun I had.

Loved adding all the feathers and pink touches and Barbie posing by the car and in it.

Shades of Green

I invited guests for Paella under the stars, but when the weather did not cooperate, I moved it inside which worked out well.

Love using the green and white leaf placemats with matching napkins and using my white napkin rings. Down the centre I folded my straw like runner and added green votives.

In the centre there was a cluster of bananas and other greenery and I added a string a white lights.

All about the Orchids

I woke up quite early and styled this table on my terrace using the three orchids I was gifted with from a lunch and dinner party. Kept it clean and simple with a white and blue fabric cloth and two white birds.

 

Last Day of Summer

The scarf I purchased at a store in Edgemont Village, called “Lewellyn” started this tablescape off and I created the table using this scarf in the centre around the seashells and corals.

I added the napkin rings and the straw placemats to give it a contrast to the white shells and linens.

I filled a candle holder with seashells to give the table some height and added my white china fish and some glass balls to complete the look I was going for.

 

Spring Flowers and Table Inspirations

“Spring adds new life and new Joy to all that is”

                         Jessica Harrelson


Citrus Colours……oranges limes and lemons

I started off with green fabric (left over from some cushions I had made years ago). Added some silk blooms in oranges and yellows in the centre. Remember to always do your centerpiece first.

I added some white votives with floating candles on either side of the flowers and then hurricane lanterns over glass candlesticks with yellow candles and I added some yellow blooms on their own at the end of the green fabric.

The cloth placemats had all the citrus colors and I used orange napkins with whicker napkin rings.

Simple white china with a single yellow pear for each place setting with some yellow silk blooms.


Smart Blues and Whites

Blue and white runner on top of crisp white linen started this table off.

Fresh white tulips in a blue and white vase with light blue votives and white coral on either side finished the centerpiece nicely.

Periwinkle straw placemats with white see- through white glass china topped with a single shell and blue and white napkins with a lovely white napkin ring.

Tuscan Luncheon

Decided on a simple green tablecloth with a large green glass vase filled with lemons still on the stems with green leaves and blossoms.

Yellow hard placemats with olives worked well with green napkins, wicker water jugs and green votives.

I added bread sticks on a green plate and parmasen cheese in china lemon halves and on each napkin had a stem with a lemon.

Valentine’s Day

I had fun tying wee ribbons on this tiny white tree and then took out my hearts and the tree was ready to be put on the table.

I used a heart runner down the center bunched up with light pink votives, champagne flutes and white and pink china with wee dollies on each table and a box of chocolates…..keeping in the red, white and pink theme this year.

The white linen offset the heart placemats and the white napkins were adorned with heart shape wee hearts.

The fabulous cake of hearts with a silk floral topping was beautifully done by Cakes N’ Sweets and was delicious to eat.

Eye catching Blues, Whites and Greens

I was given the beautiful placemats from a dear friend in Florida and decided to style a crisp table. I used a bright green runner and added a lovely white pot and a fresh tree and a few blue sweet pea silk florals along with the white bowls with bright blue flowers.

When Life Gives you Lemons…..Make Something Sweet

Lemons were everywhere on this table…..the plates, and all over the table.

I used simple yellow tulips in a tulip pitcher for the center. Yellow candles, lemon salt and peppers and a yellow tablecloth and lemon silk napkin rings and wineglasses with green accents.

The final touch on each plate was a lemon cupcake with lemon wedges.

The Joy of Easter

I started this table off with a cut out runner with soft pinks, yellows, turquoise and greens. I then added a wee tree laden with Easter Eggs.

Soft green quilted place mats tied in with the greens and I had pink china and surrounded a garland of green and gentle colors around the larger of the two plates.

Green napkins were tied and had Easter eggs coming out of the knot.

I added two white china bunnies and had pink carnations in one and Easter Eggs in the other one and a few tiny white bunnies here and there.

Pink glassware and silver bunny place cards finished this tablescape

Spring Recipe……… Easy Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients:

L graham cracker pie shell

2 eggs

¼ cup lemon juce

1 can of condensed milk

Method

Mix egg yolk, condensed milk and lemon juice

Beat the egg whites with 2 tbsps sugar until stiff

Spread meringue over mixture in pie dish

Bake in over at 350 for 15 mins

Enjoy!


A look back at Summer 2022 as we move into the holiday season.

I cannot believe we are almost into the winter months, as here in Vancouver our weather continued to be lovely and warm well into November.

However, the leaves are finally starting to fall and you can feel fall is turning to winter now.

I include a lovely light cake recipe from Designer, Decorator and Author, Danielle Rollins, which she kindly has said I can share. You can see the instructions here.

My coffee table book, Best Dressed Tables continues to be well received and I still love styling tablescapes to give you all inspiration hopefully and ideas to be creative with setting your own tables.

A look back at Summer 2022 Tablescapes…..

First Day of Summer

It was wonderful to be outside and I used my large table in my lower courtyard with white linen and a fabulous Nicole Miller table runner in all the colours of the ocean (in the Bahamas where I grew up).

Navy blue straw placemats with melamine plates in blues, turquoises and greens just like the runner with navy napkins in white fun napkin rings.

I used my seahorse candle holders and had blue coral votive holders.

The centrepiece was a lovely light blue glass bowl filled with seashells and I had turquoise candle holders and scattered sea shells all in the white. I mixed the glass ware as you can see with my cobalt blue and turquoise glassware.

Sails Up

Loved filling the sailboat with corals, seashells and glass balls.

Keeping the nautical theme with the anchor napkin rings, straw placemats and fish filled smaller sailboat. The touches of anchors on the bread plates, the blue and white runner over white linen and the

Cobalt water glasses completed this summer table.

Flamingo Magic

My love of flamingoes continues every summer……

For this one I started with a colourful runner and hot pink potted Hydrangea in the centre and filled two glass cylinders with green grapes and pink marsh mellows.

I layered a white china plate with a turquoise melamine plate and topped that with ha mini pink flamingo and tucked a hot pink and also turquoise napkins inside with custom flamingo place cards. Just for fun I added lighter pink straw in the base of the Hydrangea. You will notice the turquoise placemats were too big for my table so I folded them under.

Shell Themed Luncheon

The centrepiece was simple a glass candle holder and white candle on the terra cotta runner. I wrapped seashells around the base of the candle and carried the shell theme to the terra cotta napkins and I used two types of shell napkin rings for this luncheon for four. I used my sea through white glass plates so you could see through to the lovely white, green and terra cotta place mats.

I wrapped the wine glasses with sea shells on the bottom of the stem and added a few sea shells on the table and finished it off with two water jugs.

Bold Statements with Strong Colours

For this simple yet bold table, I had white linen and a black and white runner.

Just simple greenery down the centre. With two apple green candle holders in black iron stands. This tied in with the apple green chargers white plates with black smaller plate and apple green apples on each plate.

Kept the napkins just folded with the black and white stripped ribbon holders.

Butterflies and Orchids

I have had these butterflies for ages and decided this summer was the time to use them.

White linens, with pink and white plates topped with a fresh cupcake with pink butterfly on the top.

The napkins were just tied gently and there were light pink candle holders and a centrepiece bowl that I had filled with pink orchids and white and pink butterflies. The pink water glasses finished it off and I added a single white candle in holder.

 

Sunshine Tuesday

I had fun with this tablescape which came together when someone gave me the lovely yellow blooms. I pulled all the yellows I could find from round and pillar candles using some of the petals around one of the candles and sourcing the perfect flower cookies for the top plate.

No tablecloth was needed with this outside bright table and the straw placemats blended in with the dish pattern and bright yellow napkins.

These napkins pop up in my book and elsewhere each year which I had made years ago.

Pretty Flamingos

Yes, I had to do another Flamingo table as summer was winding down.

This time using all pinks and greens and whites and leaf placemats.

I had a few more of the custom flamingo name cards, brought out the wee flamingos and instead of filling them with napkins I used fresh Gerber flowers.  My large Flamingo was the centrepiece tied with white ribbon around the neck and another fresh Gerber bloom.

The green and white leaf runner was perfect with the green placemats and I had pink napkin holders on the white linen napkins.

The cupcakes on my Flamingo plate had wee green wooden leaves to tie in with the leaf pattern throughout.

Summer Flowers

This tabletop started with the pretty runner with the dainty flowers and I went with the colours for this bright and dainty table.

Again the white linen tablecloth was my starting place and then I added the lovely light green plates with two toned coloured napkins gently tied.

The flowers were from the Bowery Farm from Amber Gabriele which were so colourful and I used soft colored glass holders and larger vase in the centre.

 Last Day of Summer

For the Last day of Summer I designed a table in my dining room.

I had to use the Nicole Miller Runner again and the same light blue glass plate underneath the white silk blooms with a raised turquoise candle holder. To add a pop of apple green I cut some potato vines from my garden to wrap around the silk blooms.

I then added the green fruit scoops to each place setting which is also in the straw mats from Provence. A few silver votives with the final touch along with the clear glassware.

 Note, you do not have to use matching colours. See how I not only have the turquoise plates and beaded turquoise napkin rings but I have a few light blue votive holders which blend in beautifully.

My next blog will be Winter holiday inspirations but stay tuned as I will be featuring on social media some of my favourite Christmas Tablescapes and Décor.

Coconut Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (two sticks) at room temp

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 5 large eggs

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla paste

  • 2 teaspoons coconut flavoring

  • 3 cups all purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (infused with vanilla even better!)

  • Zest 1 lemon

  • Zest 1 clementine

  • 1 cup buttermilk

  • 1/2 cup coconut milk

  • 2 cups shredded sweetened coconut for garnishing cake

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350. Butter and dust (2) 9 inch round cake pans with a mixture of flour and powdered sugar.

  • Cream together the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until very smooth, at least four minutes (this way the sugar is broken down and emulsified with the butter fats). Add eggs, vanilla, vanilla paste, coconut flavoring and lemon/clementine zests and beat well to combine. In a separate medium sized bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

  • Combine buttermilk and coconut milk. Alternate adding wet and dry ingredients, beating with an electric mixer at medium speed, scraping down the sides as needed until thoroughly blended and smooth.

  • Pour batter into the prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick or fork inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-30 minutes.

  • Set aside and let cool. Turn cakes onto a wire rack then onto a plate. Frost with Seven Minute Frosting. Sprinkle cake with.

  • Keep covered at room temp.

Seven Minute Frosting 

  • 2 cup sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

  • 4 egg whites

  • 6 tablespoons coconut water or water

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla paste

  • Combine all ingredients except vanilla and vanilla paste in a heavy bottomed sauce pan. Place over medium low heat and beat with an electric hand mixer constantly for 5-7 minutes, or until icing is fluffy and stiff peaks form. Remove from heat, set aside and stir in vanilla and vanilla paste. Frost the cake.

A gift for a new Canadian!

As you probably know, I love when I hear from fans of the book, and am happy to send autographed copies to anyone who purchases the book through my website or by contacting me directly. Recently, I had the nicest note and photo that I wanted to share.

Nataly, purchased a signed copy of Best Dressed Tables to give to her dear friend Irena as a gift for her Birthday and for becoming a Canadian citizen in May.

Irena is from Russia and Nataly is from the Ukraine. They said they are both against the war and are happy to be friends living in Canada.

I am happy they were able to share a smile together and share their story with me.

Hopefully friendships like these will lead to the resolution of the war.


A look at Spring 2022

It is always wonderful when the buds begin to pop up with green leaves and blooms as Spring unfolds and I think this year was extra special as we have all soldiered on through the past year.

Clean Slate for 2022

Was all about putting last year behind and going with all whites, crystals and fresh baby’s breath.

I bid farewell to a beautiful lady and friend called Annie and the next three tables were inspired by the tablecloths and bits and pieces she left to me.

 

Inspiration Monday

Loved the hand painted bowl and the brightness of this table and the luscious silk red Hydrangeas.

 

For the Love of Elephants

Was fun to do, mixing fresh plantains, wooden bowls and my daughter’s napkin rings and an elephant. I so love Annie’s black tablecloth with elephants which she purchased when she lived in Africa many years ago.

 

Out of Africa

I enjoyed working with the stunning basket in the centre and wooden touches in the mango plates and horn bowls, and exquisite wooden leafs thanks to Details by Mr. K on South Granville along with Annie’s table cloth and napkins and some of my own touches – the napkin rings and giraffes.

Valentine’s Day

Was all about Stripes this year and I had fun with this tabletop with the centrepiece being the striped cake from Cakes and Sweets. I enjoyed sourcing all the stripes in the ties for the napkins, the runner fabric (Fabricana), and ordering all the sweets in reds and whites….( Poco Sweet Shop)no pinks this year.

Tuscan Dining

The tablecloth I purchased at an open market in Italy.

 I used lots of lemons and bits and pieces along with the sunflower in the Italian oil jar. I decided on the black napkins and plates to tie in with the black olives on the tablecloth.

The hand painted Tuscan scene by Rox is on the wall in my outside Summer kitchen here at home.

 

Happy Easter from my Home to Yours

With four young grandchildren, I decided to go with the Bunny theme from a Bunny with spectacles in the turquoise basket surrounded by eggs and bunnies in the hydrangea pots and china bunnies filled with eggs.

We even had bunny crackers on each place setting and an Easter Egg Hunt before lunch.

The bunny themed cake was from Lou at Safeway. Yes, this time around I decide on ordering the dessert instead of making my usual Easter Bunny cakes.

I will be using the turquoise runner in tables to come this summer for sure.

 

Peaches and Creams

The plates in two tone slate and cream went well with the silk blooms in the centre and I brought in gold votives and pears and cutlery to give it a contrast.

 

Brighten up your Day with a Colourful Tablescape

As in my coffee table book Best Dressed Tables, you will know I love mixing fresh florals with silks. Here I used fresh Calibrachoa plants with a silk napkin ring. I mixed a white china plate with the Melamine flower plate with matching coaster and took my water coloured painting of the Poinciana branches off the wall as a backdrop.

 

Happy Mother’s Day

I decided to pull out my very old picnic basket and fill it with as many silk blooms that would fit and hung some decorative pearls for the centrepiece of my Mother’s Tablescape.

The runner and placemat tied in with the greens in the leaf plate and charger plate and the linen napkin had the pinks and greens.

The dessert is an old favourite……… will post the quick and simple recipe in this blog for you to try.

 

Thursday Tablescape

It was raining and a very dull day and we had friends over for dinner so I styled a bright table using a green runner with cobalt blue accents in the straw placemats, dessert scalloped plates and water glasses. The blue jug with blue, white and green silk blooms and bright green candle holders finished it off nicely.

 

Palette of Turquoise and Deep Purple

Thought I would mix these two colours and see what I came up with.

I started with a purple table cloth and purple placemats and then added the turquoise plates and fish, added some purple blooms and two purple containers on each plate.

The sea glass in turquoise and white added another layer which I placed the glass fish and filled it with water and more of the sea glass.

The purple napkins with the clear fish holders and clear wine glasses completed this table nicely.

 

Dessert Recipe:

This recipe is so old I do not remember the name so I will make one up.

Summer Delight:

Ingredients:

1 bag of mini marsh mellows (white)

1 Container of lite cool whip

Fruit cocktail – 1 can

Note you can cut up some kiwi, or strawberries as well

 

Method:

In a large bowl mix

A container of cool whip (large size)

Fruit Cocktail – large can (some of the juice)

¾ of the bag of mini white marsh mellows

A few sprinkles of grated unsweetened coconut

Refrigerate and serve in cups or dessert bowls

Note: you can add a wafer or grate some chocolate on the top.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

I would like to start off my last blog of the year thanking everyone for their continued support of Tabletops by Susan and my coffee table book Best Dressed Tables.

It has been wonderful meeting so many of you and hopefully I have given you a few ideas when styling your own tabletops.

I was very excited to be featured in the much read Trellis Magazine in Toronto and to make the cover!

The other day I was just out of the pool at the Terminal City Club when another member said “I love your book and am gifting it to a friend this weekend and will be purchasing another one for you to sign for myself.” It never gets old to hear something like that.

For this Holiday Season, I decided not to move many items in my home to make way for Christmas but to add to them, saving having to store them and get them out again.

I added bulbs and glitter to entrance way planters which I normally put away. I lit up tall sprayed gold branches and added these into a tall planter with bamboo. Usually I take the bamboo out.

Recently, I had a luncheon for six and decided to use some lovely old placemats and also a runner that I have not used for years and hope you like the result.

You can make a simple tabletop like this with just a few wee trees and a flowering potted bloom and some red berries.

Also, it does not have to always be red white and green for a Holiday tabletop.

The other day a special friend gifted me with a stunning arrangement and that gave me a reason to style a tabletop using gentle soft colors like the mint green linen placemat and matching napkin with a glass napkin ring tying in with the glass charger.

For my Traditional heart shaped ornament mini Christmas tree which I put on a tabletop, I added some light pink coral branches here and there giving a bit more texture, and instead of a tree top, I just had a piece of the coral.

Another tradition in the Hyatt household is my sand dollar Christmas tree in the living room that goes back nearly forty years. This year I ordered a few more sand dollars as some of my original ones that my beautiful mother and dear aunt collected off the beaches of the island of Exuma  in the Bahamas, were wearing thin. I made a starfish tree top with sand dollar in the middle this year.

Like all of us this year, we had to scale down our numbers and this year the Hyatt tabletop will be set for six and I wanted it to be almost Carnival style with bright red whites and greens and stripes everywhere.

I started by laying the white linen and red runner and down the center I places artificial as well as some fresh cut cedar from my garden down the center. The large red lantern I dressed up a bit with bows and love the red bells here and there amongst the greenery. I added a white battery operated candle in the lantern and white candles on the reindeer.

After adding the plates, cutlery and glassware I placed my homemade crackers on each place setting with names on place cards with wee red reindeers.

I went overboard with the stripes in the ribbon, the napkins and crakers but it seems to all work.

Again, a simple and affordable tabletop bringing the outside in like my featured article in the Toronto magazine “Trellis” (Link to Article).

Happy Holidays to Everyone and your Families for a Safe and Peaceful Christmas and Holiday Season.


Holiday Pumkin Loaf Recipe

Ingredients

1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 large eggs, room temperature

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup raisins, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Combine first 8 ingredients. Whisk together eggs, pumpkin, oil and water; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in walnuts and, if desired, raisins.

Pour into a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 65-70 minutes. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

A look back on Fall 2021

I love fall when the autumn leaves start to turn and we can warm up by the fireplace and bring out our sweaters and make wonderful soups and stews.

A Harvest Thanksgiving……..

I was able to borrow the two cornucopia holders this year and wanted the harvest vegetables to tumble out of them and carried on the theme down the tabletop with fall coloured silk blooms ribbons, gourds, candles and tiny pumpkins and acorns.

The Pumpkin runner, was very long and I carried it right down the table and added two candle holders at each end to balance the look.

The turkey plates I added on top of the plain white plates with a bright green chargers to bring out the greens. My pumpkin name tag holders were perfect and I made the cards and added a wee yellow silk bloom to each and did a brown border in felt to tie in with the brown on the turkey plates.

Someone asked “but where do you put the food?” I tend to set up a lovely buffet in the kitchen and have guests serve themselves, thus making room for my centrepieces.

Orange Roses and a Beautiful scarf were the inspiration for this simple setting. 

As you know if you have my coffee table book,  Best Dressed Tables, I love using scarfs on tablescapes and this was no exception.

Blue tones right down to the placemats

A friend dropped the blue pitcher and vegetable bowl off one day as a gift for my tabletops and I decided to style a table using them. Instead of Veggies, I placed silk 

Hydrangeas in the bowl. The antique piece of Wedgwood was a gift from my husband’s sister years ago.

I think it makes a table interesting to add in things from your home that you may not normally use.


Home Made Soup and Bread on a fall and rainy day….

Love seeing the wood on a table and decided this was the perfect simple setting.


With December just around the corner I styled All about Berries.

I brought in my outdoor lantern and made it the focus and added the linens and votive holders which I filled two with fresh cranberries and added two mini candles in the other two.

The red chargers with the white plates were the last touch and berries on the plates finished this simple tabletop.

We have set the table for the new Sex and The City!

Sex and the City is returning in December with a 10-episode Revival entitled “And Just Like That”.

This past summer all you saw on social media were photos of the female stars being filmed around New York city along with Mr. Big and a few of the other male stars. They have also added new female characters as well I hope you like what I have created!

It all started by being gifted with the beautiful paper flower blooms and then, I saw a posting of Sara Jessica Parker in the stunning white dress with large flower……..the ideas starting to form.

What if I styled a romantic tabletop for two……using the flowers as the main focus……and setting the mood for a reunion of Carrie and Mr. Big?....or perhaps someone new?

As you can see, I kept the table modern and clean.

Slowly it all came together with the mood I had in mind….romance and a bit whimsical…….the gold and white ribbon gift with double strand pearl bracelet, popping out of the bow as a gift….. and we can wonder what is inside.

Chocolates in a champagne glass, a few lit votives along with the tapered candles added the glow I wanted as it got darker and the stars dotted the sky.

I also added some string lights on the table around the flower and in the trees with the larger bloom, which I made more scattered and bold like you would see on Sex and the City. The Prosecco in the tapered flutes was the finishing touch.

End Of Summer

I must say I enjoyed styling tables again outside this summer and hopefully from my postings on social media, I gave you some ideas to try on your tabletops.

Here are my summer tabletops in case you missed some of them and two new tabletops that have not been posted……Summer Flamingos and A Fish for All Seasons which I hope you will like.

Al Fresco Dining

I started with the wall hanger (yes, that is what my runner is) it was a gift and that was the one idea that started this tablescape.

I wanted to make this table all about nature by pulling in elements of the woods so to speak. I had ferns and branches and tree bits. I added in some decorative balls if you look closely, wooden ones. 

For the first time ever there was no china on this tabletop, that would come later when guests came and we started of chilled soup and the soup dishes would be placed on the round wooden tree planks.

Another gift, thank you Carrie-Lynn my wooden napkin rings which I thought were perfect and blended in with all the woods. To continue on with the outdoors, I added stones in the vases filled with water and later added floating candles on top.

I also found in a sale bin the roped lighting which worked well to finish it all off.

The glassware made the table pop a bit more and I was done – Hope you like it.

Orchids, Seashells and Coral

I have had this idea for a while and it started with the pink coral which I love. As you all know by now my love of seashells comes from growing up in the Bahamas when I used to collect shells on the beaches ever since I was very young.

I decided to use the white linen and throw this pink linen

With touches of white over the top which was from a store in the Bahamas years ago.

I love using fresh blooms but in this case the silk ones were easy to work with and style with the large shell and gave me the look I wanted to achieve

Nautical Sunday

For this tabletop I mixed China with Melamine. The place mats had anchors and I carried it through with the red white and blue plates with anchors. No napkin rings, just tied the napkins for a change. The centerpiece had everything in it as you can see.

Summer Hydrangeas

I am a big fan of Hydrangeas and did this luncheon table indoors with some lovely linen placemats that tied in beautifully with the green runner. I placed wee dessert cups on each plate and filled with some Hydrangea flowers.

Dessert Time

Another Luncheon tabletop in my dining room. I wanted to bring in the colors of the large oil painting into the tabletop.

The placemats were lovely with greens, turquoise and blues. I kept the centerpiece very simple with the greenery and added some tall candles. I twisted the blue runner at each end, which I often do and placed two votive holders with floating candles to finish the centerpiece.

You will notice I matched china with lovely scalloped Melamine plates and added the pistachio pudding on top of these which completed this tabletop.

Summer Flamingos

As you know from my coffee table book Best Dressed Tables, I love Flamingos and every summer have been styling tables with Flamingos, “Flirty Flamingos” “Sassy Flamingos” to name a few……

So this summer was no different, and the wee Flamingos which I put fresh fruit salad in, started my thought process for this tabletop.

The flamingo cupcakes were specially done by Le Gateau Bake Shop and were the finishing touch I think.

Apple Pie and Coffee

I found I had a large bag of apples and decided to make an apple pie and ended up styling this tabletop around it.

The napkin ring, a green garden pot is the last one of a set I have had for many years and it worked perfectly with the rest of the table.

I have never done a flower on one of my pies before, I usually paint on my pies but decided to try creating the flower which worked out which was a surprise for sure.

 

Summer Dining

This tabletop was all done in beige and white which I love.

The centerpiece was seashells resting on a long scarf of mine with sand dollars on a rope and anchored by two candles on glass bases.

The linen napkins are from Bahamas Handprints in the Bahamas which have sand dollars and sea shells on them which tied in beautifully with the beige and white theme.

 

A Fish for All Seasons

This will be my last tabletop for August and I used everything in my collection about fish. The straw placemats were purchased in the Bahamas and the centerpiece fabric I have used before as chair ties in my coffee table book.

The large fish anchors this tabletop for five. I wanted it to be casual and fun. The fish plates are melamine instead of china which makes it casual.

As you can see, I added a china fish filled with wee fish and the fish salt and pepper shakers.

Thank you everyone for your continued support and I hope you had a lovely summer with your family and friends.

Continue to stay healthy and safe and remember, to have fun styling your tabletops.

Spring

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I hope everyone is doing much better and getting their shots but still mindful to be safe during this time of COVID.

At Easter I set the table for six with playful green bunnies right down to the bunnies with my six grandchildren’s names as they could not be with us this year. I hope you enjoyed this table as much as I did with the planning of it.

Looking forward to setting many outdoor tables for you all to get ideas from in the very near future. Usually with me, it is one idea that gets me started……. a different piece of coral, or a colour combination or using a new scarf ………and I go from there.

For Mother’s Day I wanted something soft and gentle and I used a grey scarf I bought in Qualicum which was perfect with the pink silk blooms which I mixed into a fresh green plant.

The pearls were from my All Heart Christmas tree I decorate each year.

My coffee table book, Best Dressed Tables, continues to surprise me and was recently on display in Indigos in Langley and also at The Mason Jar in White Rock.

Please know you can contact me at 604-803-8072 to purchase a signed copy of Best Dressed Tables.

Wishing you all a wonderful Summer, and have fun styling tables for family and hopefully before too long, friends also.

I will continue to post tabletops on social media throughout the summer.

Susan

Fried Plantain

Fried Plantain

Fried Plantain Recipe (from Travel Section Best Dressed Tables)

Ingredients (serves 8-10)

  • 5/6 ripe plantains

  • 3 tbsp brown sugar

  • Cooking oil

 Preparation

1.  Peel the plantains
2.  Cut in half and then again
3.  Put oil in frying pan so that it covers the plantain
4.  Heat oil until it is sizzling
5.  Arrange plantains so they’re not on top of each other
6.  Deep fry plantains until golden
7.   Turn them over and cook second side.
8.  Remove with a slotted spoon and let oil drip
9.  Spread some paper towel and put the plantain on top
10. Let the towel absorb all the excess oil
11. Put on plate and serve
12. If you want, you can sprinkle brown sugar in pan after turning over when frying, or sprinkle on the plantain before serving.

Note: you can decorate before serving with sliced pink grapefruit.

Happy Valentine's Day

Hello Everyone and here is wishing you the very best in 2021!

I did not update the blog much last year as it was quite a strange time for us all.

I decided that creating beautiful styling shots and tablescapes during last year, would give you something to enjoy instead of focusing on not being out and about and seeing friends and family.

I welcomed my sixth grandchild, beautiful Georgia Ray and I long to hug and be with all my grandchildren hopefully before too much longer.

This time of staying at home has made me appreciate what I have for sure and not take things for granted.

At the end of each day I now say….. “what was the highlight of this day”? and instead of doing a book signing, styling a fancy table on location;, it is hearing from a dear friend, a beautiful sunset, being on what’s ap with my children and grandchildren and going for a lovely walk with my husband and especially beating him at scrabble (just once)………

I will continue to style and create tabletops for you all and hope my tables inspire you to try something new.

Remember, you do not have to go shopping to set you table, look around your home and see what you think would look lovely or be fun to put on your table.

During these times when we are at home, encourage family members to set the table sometimes, or if you are on your own, set a nice table for lunch or dinner, add some flowers or a few candles. I love having me time and making a lovely cup of tea and a cookie but in a nice setting. I feel it makes all the difference like having a chilled rose in a crystal wine glass.

This Valentine’s I have been inspired by the new series “Bridgerton” and hope you like it.

The beautiful baking treats are from Le Gateau Bake Shop in Vancouver and I am looking forward to sampling them with my Valentine on the 14th.

I found the beautiful ribbon in my ribbon collection and sprayed my silver birds white and continued from there.

I was delighted that Best Dressed Tables was featured in the Winter Issue of Westcoast Homes and Design Magazine and look forward to sharing more news with you in the future.

Please contact me directly for a signed copy of Best Dressed Tables, or where you can personally purchase a copy near you.

Until my next blog in the Spring, please keep safe and healthy and happy table styling.

- Susan

 

Interview with Susan Hyatt in Westcoast Homes & Design Magazine

I am excited to have been interviewed for Westcoast Homes And Design this month! It was an honour to have the opportunity to bring even a glimmer of holiday inspiration to homes across canada during this trying and stressful time. Celebrating at home will be difficult for most this year - whether you can only see your family on a Zoom or even if you can only celebrate with your immediate COVID bubble, bringing items from around the home and from nature to decorate the table may just be the little something that makes the days a bit more bearable and special. Read the complete article online or pick up a copy with the Vancouver Sun or Province in print this weekend!

Photographer: Darla Furlani

Best Dressed Tables is available for purchase in select stores across Canada and can be purchased online. A store list and information to purchase online is available HERE.


What's Happening...

I am happy to say Best Dressed Tables continues to sell very well on Amazon and Chapters/Indigo, along with various florist / gift stores. Recently West Vancouver Florist and Vivio Flower Gallery in Port Moody have taken books into their beautiful stores.

As soon as it is safe to do so, I will let you know when I am doing book signings again. I will be happy to personally sell and autograph my book for you…just send me an email at susan@tabletopsbysusan.com.

On March 25, 2020, the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel gave away curbside to all first responders and medical personnel, their famous McCarthy salad which was featured in my coffee table book Best Dressed Tables.

During this time of enforced togetherness I continue to set tabletops to inspire everyone at home. Thank you for your emails telling me about your tables and how I have given you ideas and the desire to set a beautiful table. Below are two recent emails I received and a poem:

“Susan, your book is the perfect antidote for these anxious times, and has brought me a lot of pleasure already as it is amazing eye candy to raise the spirits during this grim time in history. It is my considered opinion that not only are your table dressings exquisitely presented and creatively and whimsically imaginative, the stories are captivating for travellers and non-travellers alike. Well Done Susan.”

Annie M.

“During this time of isolation, I took the time to browse through your Best Dressed Tables book. Looking at all the beautiful pictures and gorgeous colours was such a calming things to do and a great way to de-stress. I also enjoyed all the personal notes with each picture, memories of your parents and growing up in the Bahamas. Looking at the themed table settings made me feel like I was taking a trip to exotic locales - so nice to do now that we are unable to travel. Thank you for this beautiful book.”

Sylvia P.

Just saw Susan’s “Feeling Fruity”. My, she’s such an awesome cutie! And this tablescape is a real beauty. Just dreamed it up while she’s off duty.

Easter 2020

Had fun making the coloured Easter Eggs to put into the pink napkins and used my lovely Easter Runner with all the cut outs and pretty colours. Decided on the chargers in pink and white and my turquoise plates to tie all the pinks and blues into this pastel tablescape.

Bring out all your Easter bunnies and bits and pieces and you can add them each year in different ways. Loved filling my large china bowl with silk hydrangeas and adding the wee white pots with Easter Egg Trees.

2020

Valentine’s Tea for Two on Main……

I thought it would be fun to go on the road on Valentine’s Day and decided on the bustling area of Main Street in Vancouver. I set a romantic table for two in Gilligan Girls Flowers on Main.

On the Table Linen & Decor Vancouver, provided the exquisite Italian linens and antique pink mini cake stand and Trafiq Café and Bakery created the delicious and beautiful sweets. My lovely birdcage was decorated by the talented Jamey of Gilligan Girls on Main with fresh blooms tying in all the colours of the table. I loved bringing in my heart plates and mini hearts and candles. You can mix the old with the new to make the table interesting

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