To celebrate the season of love, home cook and seasoned entertainer Jessica Nguyen shares her tips for creating a table setting that will set your heart aflutter.
With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’re feeling called to celebrate the love in our lives. Whether you’re hosting Galentine’s or celebrating with a significant other, look to Jessica Nguyen’s dreamy tablescape for styling inspiration. Starting with a blank canvas, build up your setting with vibrant serveware and chic champagne flutes, adding playful table decorations that nod to moments of love along the way.
“A tablecloth will instantly transform any table – even a white linen one will turn your plain table into a fine-dining-at-home affair. Next, colour is key. I like to weave it into everything from the serveware to the glassware, flowers, food and, if possible, find a palette of colours to repeat throughout for cohesion. Finally, mood-setters like candles and a great playlist will take it from table setting to experience.”
Jessica Nguyen on her tips for creating an insta-worthy table setting at home.
Take your love out into the world
Use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to embrace spontaneity with a weekend getaway or a trip to a secluded picnic spot. Captured on the incredible Soho Rose Farm in regional Victoria, Jessica took inspiration from a backdrop of florals, “Their farm has acres upon acres of different rose varieties and I was specifically drawn to the red, pink and orange roses which became the backdrop and palette for the table.” To style her alfresco tablescape, Jessica used warm-accented pieces from Maison Balzac, Fazeek, Dinosaur Designs and Luigi Bormioli.
“My dream Valentine’s Day would be a beautiful summery day outside eating with the people I love: friends, family and my dogs. If I could hold a lunch in the middle of a rose farm like my tablescape, then that’s the dream day right there.“
Jessica Nguyen on her dream Valentine’s Day
Finish it off with the finer things
Nothing says romance like rose-coloured champagne and decadent treats. Lean into the magic of the moment with indulgent refreshments by Bollinger or Perrier-Jouet, and inject personality into your table settings with luxe chocolates and vibrant seasonal fruit. To add extra interest, get inventive with your tableware – champagne coupes make for playful dessert serveware.
“My Valentine’s Day must-haves include a good bottle of champagne (obviously!), your favourite flowers, an outfit you feel good in and a selection of food that you and your special someone would enjoy!
Jessica Nguyen on her Valentine’s Day essentials
