Nena Tantoco, Yoya Gueco, Ann Jacobe, Rorie Manzano, Sunshine Puey, and Leslie Calimag share how they create tasteful tablescapes brimming with personality.
Meals are what bind many families and friends, a truth both evident and prevalent across cultures. Filipinos can attest that there’s a special kind of hospitality and warmth in meals shared with loved ones. Hosts go above and beyond to create a dining experience rife with great food and a tasteful, welcoming atmosphere. A large part of this is creating an appealing tablescape that not only looks wonderful, but also expresses the personality, aesthetic sensibilities, and graciousness of its host.
Indeed, tablescapes are products of great care, manifestations of a host’s efforts to create lasting, memorable experiences for their loved ones. In line with its July theme of “Home and Entertaining,” Lifestyle Asia asked six wonderful hostesses to share how they create engaging tablescapes for family, guests, and their own enjoyment:
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Nena Tantoco
Q: How do you like to set your tables, and what do these personal touches add to the set up?
It is a mixture of my African travel, especially the animals. Then I place two flags, [that of] Sweden and our beloved Philippine flag. I use Moroccan ceramic ware, and place a photo of Alfie [Alfie Solomon Mejia Tantoco, her great-grandson] in each place setting.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d like to give for those looking to create their own tablescapes at home?
It is playtime when you create a tablescape. You know, like cooking too, it is from the heart, the soul and spirit. It is not a task, but a joy, a giving of total self expression to welcome those who will partake of the meal. It should awaken the senses, you know that happy feeling of being welcomed that goes beyond the physical, like a child playing.
Yoya Gueco
Q: How do you like to set your tables, and what do these personal touches add to the set up?
I bring out the good plates, get a nice bunch of fresh flowers and , and let my husband do the cooking!
Anne Jacobe
Q: How do you like to set your tables, and what do these personal touches add to the set up?
Looking back at my favorite tablescapes, I find myself drawn to a rustic, organic aesthetic. I love incorporating natural elements like wood chargers and an abundance of greenery. A simple centerpiece of fresh fruits, such as a bowl overflowing with vibrant citrus, instantly elevates the table and adds a touch of the unexpected.
These personal touches infuse warmth and character into every gathering. They create a sense of casual elegance that encourages conversation and connection.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d like to give for those looking to create their own tablescapes at home?
The beauty of tablescaping lies in its versatility. You don’t need a vast collection of tableware to create something magical. You can completely transform the mood using the same dishes. Experiment with different table linens, candles, and foliage to evoke everything from a playful brunch to a dramatic dinner party.
For example, the same elegant plates from a formal dinner can be repurposed for a whimsical brunch by swapping out crisp linens for a vibrant tablecloth and replacing candles with a scattering of wildflowers. It’s all about finding creative ways to reinvent what you already have.
This way, you can curate unique tablescapes for every occasion without accumulating an overwhelming amount of tableware.
Rorie Manzano
Q: How do you like to set your tables, and what do these personal touches add to the set up?
I prefer get togethers that are relaxed but still elevated. Even if it’s a casual gathering, I’ll still work around a theme and design a digital invitation. A simple yet stylish tablescape, family style dinner and a serve-yourself style bar always guarantee a fun and fuss-free night for my guests.
Sunshine Puey
Q: How do you like to set your tables, and what do these personal touches add to the set up?
My favorite way to entertain is a casual evening that starts out with snacks and small bites in my lanai. Then we move into the dining room where there’s normally a buffet spread out. Desserts are laid out in my kitchen island. My open bar cabinet is a favorite spot. Dinners always have good music, long conversations and loud laughter—my favorite sounds.
Leslie Calimag
Q: How do you like to set your tables, and what do these personal touches add to the set up?
love to use “heirloom”china which my parents, siblings, friends and clients hand-carried to Manila over the past forty years. Not only are the patterns pretty, but each has a special memory behind them. I rarely order a professional floral arrangement and decorate my table last minute, when inspiration strikes, and use my son’s toys. That usually makes for good conversation among guests meeting for the first time.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d like to give for those looking to create their own tablescapes at home?
Unless you’re hosting a formal event, small elements with a backstory set the tone for a relaxed atmosphere conducive to conversation, positive energy, which I believe enhances the quality of any meal.
Photos courtesy of Nena Tantoco, Yoya Gueco, Ann Jacobe, Rorie Manzano, Sunshine Puey, and Leslie Calimag; Banner photo courtesy of Ann Jacobe.
