Spring Tableware To Brighten Up Your Next Virtual Dinner Party |

published 6 April 2020

With many of us turning to video platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp and FaceTime to catch up with friends and family at dinner time, it's never been easier to host a mass 'dinner party' – without the washing up afterwards. We've rounded up some uplifting, cheerful tableware to refresh your spring table below. In need of a little more inspiration? Habitat are offering a free virtual dinner party masterclass tomorrow.

1. VIRTUAL DINNER PARTY MASTERCLASS

In light of this new trend, Habitat are hosting a live broadcast on Tuesday 7 April together with with Laura Jackson, founder of Hoste supper club, to give inspiration and tips on how to create the ultimate virtual dinner party. 'Whether it’s a Skype chat with grandma or Friday night or wine with the girls on House Party app - now is the most important time to be connected to friends and family,' Laura explains. 'Easter this year is going to very different to the Easters’ that we have celebrated before, but I’m hoping to unite friends and family around the virtual dining table, so this will still be a fun and memorable event.'

With many of us unable to entertain in our homes, Laura will be answering questions on the importance of creating virtual social occasions, giving advice on creating easy recipes using store cupboard essentials and ideas for uplifting and inspiring tablescapes. She’ll be doing a live cookalong of a Green Filo Pie, shaking up a delicious Gin & Elderflower Fizz, as well as sharing her top tips on hosting a virtual get together and how to create an inspiring tablescape. Head to the Habitat Blog to discover the ingredients you’ll need (most of which you probably already have in the cupboard/fridge), plus your chance to win a £500 Habitat gift card.

Tune in to watch from 18:00 - 18:30 on @habitatuk and @iamlaurajackson on Instagram. It’s virtual, free and open to everyone.

2. TABLE DRESSING

First things first. Dressing the table with a vibrant table cloth will set the backdrop and dictate the rest of the scheme; Summerill & Bishop's zebra print in tangerine orange is perfect for a fun, upbeat and summery scene...

Zebra print in tangerine orange, £250, Summerill & Bishop

... While their Mabel collaboration with Shrimps is colourful but in chalkier pastel tones.

Mabel tablecloth by Shrimps, £475, Summerill & Bishop

For a more rustic look altogether, H&M Home's spring collection features lots of lovely linens, like this classic and timeless striped table runner.

Table runner, £9.99, H&M Home

3. TABLE LINEN

When it comes to placemats, no one does it better thanRebecca Udall, whose waxed Italian linen placemats come in all sorts of scalloped shapes, in bold and pastel colours, and with pretty borders. Her rattan chargers keep plates elevated and off the placemats, helping to keep the pastel placemats clean for longer, while still adding pops of colour to the tablescape. There are napkins to match, too.

Waxed Italian linen placemats £20 each, pink Italian linen scallop napkin £24 each, from Rebecca Udall

Sarah K's scalloped napkins are equally delightful, elegant, summery and upbeat, and come in a variety of different colours – including white, with coloured borders.

£50 for a set of 4, Sarah K

Or, for a more muted, rustic look, Caravane's classic linen napkins come in darker, more autumnal-inspired shades, and work for a year-round chic palette.

Selena washed linen napkins, 16 Euros each, Caravane

4. ART OF GLASS

The fastest route to a joyful tabletop? Murano glassware. Reigniting its partnership with Laguna B, Campbell-Rey has released a new line of tumblers, wine glasses and champagne coupes that are convivial chic personified.

Cosimo collection, from £95 each, from campbell-rey.com

Then for after dinner, we love the glass mugs from Cox & Cox, with their coloured glass handles and matching rims. Colourful, but subtle.

£35 for four, Cox & Cox

5. PRETTY PLATES

King of illustration, Luke Edward Hall has lent his Greek-inspired motifs to tableware at Artemest. An investment piece pretty enough to mount on the walls.

Set of 2 dinner plates, £145, from Artemest

There are soup plates, and various other collectables to match.

Set of 2 soup plates, £125 from Artemest

6. BIT ON THE SIDE

These pastel-hued ceramic bowls from Summerill & Bishop have a dusty matte exterior, but have been treated with a gold gloss glaze on the inside. Lovely as side bowls or for snacks.

Ceramic bowls, £48.50, Summerill & Bishop

West Elm's marble and copper finger bowls are perfect for dips and sauces.

Marble bowls, £15.20, West Elm

Meanwhile their inverse botanical salad plates have an aged, homemade look to them, owed to the crackled glazing effect and hand-painted finish, making each plate unique.

Salad plate, £7.95, West Elm

7. IN THE DETAILS

Livingetc loves the organic silhouettes and glazing of Latzio's water carafes.

Pink carafe, £56.95, Latzio.com

Complete a bright and zesty scheme with funky candle holders and candlesticks in bright, neon colours.

Italian ceramic lion candlestick , £125, Montes & Clark

Finally, cutlery can complete the look. Cox & Cox's white and brushed brass cutlery set would suit a pastel, paired-back or rustic linen scheme.

White and brushed brass cutlery set, £145, Cox & Cox

For something more colourful, Montes & Clark have cutlery with brightly coloured handles.

Brightly coloured cutlery from Montes & Clark, prices from £6.95

8. SERVE

And finally, pretty serve ware to get you in the entertaining mood. Anthropologie's Heidi serving set might just be the prettiest things we've ever seen, carved by hand from acacia wood.

Heidi serving set, £30, Anthropologie

OKA's artichoke shaped serving bowl is ideal for pastas, salads and other sharing dishes.

Artichoke serving bowl, £75, OKA

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.