From the freshness of an all-white tablescape to a pretty pastel setting or fun bunny-filled brunch …
Helen Turkington | Helen Turkington Design
Easter in our house is all about family, good food and tradition. It’s one of my favourite times of year as it heralds the promise of warmer weather and longer days. It’s a new season of freshness and lightness that inspires – just as I’m ready to transition my wardrobe, it’s the same for décor. Easter brunch is a noisy family affair and while much less formal than Christmas, for example, I still make a real effort with my table. This time, I love layers of different textured linens with a washed-out, softer feel. I am a “traditionalist with a twist” and love whimsical bunnies and spring pastels, so linen placemats and napkins are a must for me, which I accent with ornaments and fresh flowers. If you don’t want to feel too themed, gingham is always good for an informal yet timeless look. I always serve a roast leg of lamb, rubbed with garlic and rosemary. To start, there’ll be devilled eggs, and pea and ricotta crostini, just light enough to leave room for the main course. And for afters? A lemon tart, pavlova piled high with berries and a few chocolate nest buns for the young ones. It’s not fancy, it’s a meal shared with the people I love most. That’s Easter to me. @helenturkingtondesign
Francis Brennan | Dunnes Stores
Setting a table is a wonderfully creative expression of your affection to those who will gather around it. I believe Easter settings should be simple and relaxed, a celebration of spring and chocolate. Selecting the right colour palette is always the first step. I love the freshness of white with seasonal pops of colour from flowers, moss and brightly coloured eggs. Table linens provide the perfect foundation: from tablecloths to runners and napkins, these are essential to make your table special. The centrepiece serves as the focal point; use daffodils or tulips for colour. For me, it’s not complete without playful décor and some mini eggs. @francisbrennan4375
The colour palette for this year’s Easter collection is inspired by the natural beauty of spring: soft pastel tones from blush pinks to cool mints and blues. Our Elizabeth and Emily block printed linens that can be mixed and matched are always very popular, as are accessories such as the oversized wicker bunnies, large topiary eggs, and coloured plates and glassware. Fresh flowers are a must; I love pops of yellow at this time of year. Easter in our house is a less formal family event, so the table reflects this with fun pieces for all ages, from gorgeous crackers to little chocolate eggs. I’m planning a traditional late lunch with a leg of lamb, rosemary roast potatoes and lots of mint sauce. @lnh_edit
I’m excited to spend Easter at home after a renovation. It’s my favourite time of year as we see longer days and some colour back in the garden. My table will incorporate crisp greens and blues. I encourage others to repeat colours at least once to ensure a cohesive palette, but that doesn’t mean those chosen hues need to be the most prominent. I always use my rattan collection as a way to bring in additional texture. Coloured glassware and terrazzo-style water glasses also add colour to any table. As a finishing touch, I love making my own floral arrangements. You can create something wonderful with just a few branches to hang ceramic painted eggs in our sculptural rattan primrose vase as a nod to the natural elements of the tablescape. @hedgeroe_home
For my Easter table I want to create something fun and colour drenched, stepping away from pastels and leaning into bolder colours. I use pieces from my Seville collection, mixing coral and turquoise tones that instantly transport you to warmer days. I pair these with red and pink roses, while bamboo cutlery adds a natural element to soften the look and bring a laidback alfresco feel, even if you’re dining indoors! For a finishing touch, I scatter painted eggs down the centre of the table. For the menu, I love Mediterranean sharing plates as they allow guests to help themselves and feel more relaxed. With that in mind, I recommend starting with a feta, honey and olive flatbread before moving on to a main course of roast lamb with lemon and rosemary, served with couscous and grilled spring vegetables. The piece de resistance is a pistachio and citrus cake with a fruit platter. @acquerello.home
Tara O’Connor | The Designed Table
I focus on my initial inspiration when setting a table, be it the food or colour I love. You don’t need to buy new items every time you entertain. I normally decide on flowers first and match them to the tablescape. Spring lends itself to pretty centrepieces; cut seasonal flowers at different heights to create an on trend “table meadow”. I also love to use potted florals that can be planted afterwards to enjoy next year. I always test each seat to make sure guests can see over the top of flowers – one of my pet peeves is arrangements that are too tall and overwhelming! After I add a tablecloth or runner, I build the table with a charger plate for more formal occasions to add another layer. I use napkin rings or ribbon for a finishing touch to add vibrancy. Next, I move on to cutlery and glasses. There’s so much great coloured glassware available in high street or vintage stores. I finish the tablescape with a sprig of rosemary or flower to each setting. @thedesignedtable
