What is tablescaping?
What is tablescaping, you ask?
In simple terms - the art of styling a table, to creatively arrange a tabletop so that it conveys a particular mood, theme or experience, is commonly referred to as tablescaping.
All occasions, whether it’s a fancy dinner party, a sophisticated corporate event, an outdoors summer luncheon or a fairy-tale wedding, share a common element: a well-styled table. Although the act of arranging a table has been a customary practice for centuries, the art of tablescaping emerged and thrives today as a vibrant form of expression. Striving to marry food with art and elevating the entertaining experience, The Pink Elephant is delighted to enter the tablescaping sector by launching a unique collection of custom, beautifully-crafted table decorations and textiles. From tablecloths and napkins, to flowers and grazing platter centerpieces, read on to discover more about our tablescaping journey.
The Story behind our tablescaping journey
Ian Henderson, founder of The Pink Elephant, has nurtured a lifelong dream to establish his unique collection of fabrics designed specifically for tablescaping. Raised in Zimbabwe within a family that loves entertaining, the art of setting the table became an integral and cherished part of the Henderson household. It was Ian’s upbringing, coupled with his travels, which ignited his deep-seated passion for tablescaping. Whilst exploring places like Sri Lanka, India, Mexico and Columbia, Ian discovered a captivating world of vibrant colours and intricate designs in these cultural epicenters. Inspired by all he had encountered, and having amassed an impressive collection of tablecloths and fabrics from various corners of the globe, Ian was motivated to craft his own distinctive range of textiles.
Initially starting out as a platter business in 2020, The Pink Elephant has since evolved into a luxury event styling brand with its own online tablescaping shop. In the beginning stages, Ian set out to capture a colour and design scheme that would perfectly align with The Pink Elephant’s eccentric brand essence: bright, playful, chic… fabulous with a flair. Seeking the assistance of professionals around the world, Ian worked with a team of experts to bring his vision to life. Through meticulous planning and collaboration, he crafted a vision board of designs and built partnerships with several small, independent businesses who would play a pivotal role in building his tablescaping range.
The Pink Elephant’s hand-woven table mats
In collaboration with Zippy van der Vijver, founder of the The Kenyan Craft’s Company, Ian and Zippy created a stunning range of sustainable, hand-woven table mats in The Pink Elephant’s signature fuschia pink colour. The Kenyan Crafts Company is a small and flourishing handmade craft business based in Kenya. Working closely with skilled artisans, the brand sources and commissions sustainable products which fuse ancient craft traditions with fresh contemporary designs, resulting in a winning combination of old and new, beautifully handcrafted home accessories. To complement his renowned grazing platters, Ian supported Wild and Native, a local tableware company dedicated to sourcing palm leaf environmentally-friendly products from Sri Lanka. Finally, with the help of the talented Zimbabwean textile designer, Sara Mann, Ian’s dream of establishing a textile brand came to life.
Launch of our very own textile range
Following the success of the hire shop, The Pink Elephant launched its online tablescaping shop at the end of 2022. Designed by Sara, the brand’s current merchandise includes tablecloths, napkins, tea towels and aprons which are available in three uniquely designed, African-inspired, styles: Signature Safari, Wild Wonders and African Bloom. The brand's essence is best captured in the Signature Safari collection. Drawing inspiration from African influences, the table decor features intricate ethnic patterns and, of course, the brand’s signature elephant symbol. On the other hand, Wild Wonders embraces a more exotic style, perfect for the warmer, summery months. Adorned with playful pineapples and palm trees, this range exudes a quirky charm and evokes the sensation of being in a tropical paradise. As for African Bloom, it showcases a floral pattern inspired by some of Africa's most breathtaking and national wildflowers, such as the South African Protea and Zimbabwe's vibrant Flame Lily.
Following our journey to come
Ian and the team at The Pink Elephant are filled with excitement and brimming with new ideas as the merchandise range steadily expands. Ian’s close working relationship with Sara continues to flourish and he plans to launch new textile designs in 2024. Building upon the triumph of our tablescaping shop, the brand has exciting plans to introduce an array of new items, including table-runners, wallpaper, cushion covers, and beautiful picnic blankets, perfect for summer picnics in the park. In the upcoming months, The Pink Elephant is also planning to launch our very first market stall during Autumn.
Tablescaping is more than merely setting a table. It’s an artform. The Pink Elephant lends its touch to the art through a captivating display of luxury table decor, bespoke fabrics, and stylish arrangements. Collaborate with our team and impress your guests with elegant table set-ups and a tangible, charming atmosphere that only The Pink Elephant can provide. From stunning tablecloths and flower adornments to our show-stealing grazing platter centerpiece, embark on our journey as we continue to transform ordinary events into extraordinary occasions.
Written by: Gemma Parsons