March 30, 2015 - My Island Bistro Kitchen

Easter offers so many options for tablescapes and tablesettings. Today, I am sharing a more casual, yet fun, tablescape.

My focus with this tablesetting is the “corralled” tablescape. I have used a wire tray as the base into which I have clustered the elements of the table centerpiece. Corralling keeps the elements tidy and together instead of having them spread out over the table.

This is an ideal option if you plan to bring, during the meal, a platter of roast turkey or ham, for example, to be carved at the table. It is easy to lift off the basket or tray with the centerpiece on it and replace it with the meat platter. The centerpiece can then easily be returned to the table for the dessert course so the table is never without a focal centerpiece during the meal.

I have simply used some faux grass in the bottom of the tray and added a substantial-sized bunny to give the centerpiece prominence and height. Then, I filled in the rest of the basket with a small bright pink geranium, a tiny bird’s nest, some Easter eggs, and some egg shells filled with tiny flowers and faux grass. A piece of egg carton provides a nesting spot for the egg shells.

It is not necessary to have fine china to set an attractive table. This table is set for Easter brunch so I have used everyday stoneware and, instead of formal napkins, have opted to use pastel-colored tea towels that match the color scheme of the centerpiece. Tucked underneath the charger plates, the tea towels take up no room on the table and do not compete with the tablescape or place settings.