Garden designer Butter Wakefield effortlessly combines her love for gardening with hosting. Her tablescapes reflect a thoughtful mix of color, pattern, and texture, resulting in a look that feels both lively and approachable.
'My family has a rich gardening heritage,' Butter shares. 'My mother was the president of our local garden club in Maryland, and both my grandparents were avid gardeners. Hosting and cooking are also passions in our family, making entertaining a delightful way of life.'
With years of experience in interior design, Butter's keen eye ensures her spring table is as captivating indoors as it is outdoors. Her laid-back, layered style avoids excessive refinement, creating a cheerful and natural ambiance. Floral patterns and vibrant colors harmoniously intertwine, showcasing a delightful mix of old and new elements.
In this episode of How I Host, we explore Butter's home as she prepares for a spring gathering. Flowers take center stage, inspiring the tablescape with a fresh palette of warm yellows, oranges, zesty greens, and vivid pinks — a quintessential spring display.
Spring Tablescaping with Butter Wakefield
Watch the video for more inspiration.
Creating a Stunning Floral Tablescape
Butter's approach to a spring table is refreshingly simple, ensuring anyone can replicate it. 'A vibrant mix of colors and flowers, along with varied textures, brings the table to life,' she explains. The resulting setup is a joyful celebration of spring blooms, and the process is straightforward. Here are her five essential steps to craft a colorful spring table.
Step One: The Tablecloth
'I adore starting with a striking tablecloth. This bright orange and green one sets the tone beautifully. I often select flowers that harmonize with it. I designed this with Birdie Fortescue, and orange truly embodies spring for me.'
Step Two: Textural Layers
'After laying the tablecloth, I add a mat for depth. I love using striped napkins alongside different textures. The combination of stripes and florals creates a delightful visual.'
Step Three: Plates
'Plates are next, and I enjoy mixing old and new finds. I collect plates wherever I go, whether I find a pair or a set of six. This eclectic mix adds charm to the table.'
'This particular green is uniquely delightful, reminiscent of a vintage style. Collecting pieces is vital for personalizing a home. For example, I have a notable collection of black and white Staffordshire Spaniels. They may seem quirky, but their personalities bring joy to my home.'
'Keep collecting what you love, and you'll discover unique treasures.'
Step Four: Seasonal Blooms
'No spring table is complete without seasonal blooms. When designing gardens, I always consider how outdoor flowers can complement indoor colors,' Butter notes.
'Many of the flowers I use are from my friend Kim Fleming from Marlston Farm Girl, and they're all seasonal. These blooms perfectly match the tablecloth, creating a stunning arrangement with diverse shapes and colors.'
'I start with the tallest flowers, then fill in with shorter ones, creating an inviting tableau. Odd-numbered arrangements often look more appealing. The mix of sizes and colors results in a joyful floral display that I hope brings delight to my guests.'
Step Five: Candles
'Finally, I add candlesticks. I love colored candles — why settle for white when you can have yellow or orange? They echo the flowers, adding rhythm to the table's design.'
Butter's techniques for crafting the ideal spring table are a must-know for any host. The beauty lies in the layers; don't hesitate to mix and match. Just like interior design, combining contrasting pieces creates intrigue.
Take a cue from Butter's floral arrangements — varying heights and forms make it easy to create stunning displays that appear effortlessly beautiful.
