Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
  • Design Ideas
  • Entertaining
  • Outdoor/Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • C&B Project House
  • Shopping
  • Brand Ambassador
  • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Single Issues
    • Product Collab
    • Ebook
  • Cottage Destinations
  • Events
45K
314K
19K
Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
0Login
Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
  • Design Ideas
  • Entertaining
  • Outdoor/Garden
  • Lifestyle
  • C&B Project House
  • Shopping
  • Brand Ambassador
  • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Single Issues
    • Product Collab
    • Ebook
  • Cottage Destinations
  • Events
0
al fresco tablescape with blue and white gingham cloth and overflowing edible centerpiece
  • Decorating

An Italian Inspired Tablescape

  • September 5, 2024
  • Written by Rebecca Lott
  • Photography by MELISA AMENGUAL
  • Styled by ANDREINA CHIRINOS PAOLI
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Transport your guests to a picturesque summer destination with this wow-worthy Italian inspired tablescape. 

Andreina Chirinos Paoli, an interior designer and content creator, styled this beautiful tablescape to recreate summer dining al fresco in Italy for her family and friends. “For me, there is no special occasion needed to design a beautiful table and gather with my loved ones,” she says.

Now living in Connecticut, Andreina (@andreinacottagestyle) vacations between her homeland, Venezuela, and Italy. She attributes her creativity to her father’s side of the family, renowned plastic artists. “My passion for beautiful tables is inherited from my grandmother and mother, because I grew up in a family in which sitting down to eat at a beautiful table every day was the norm,” she says.

aerial view showing Italian inspired tablescape with blue and white plates and tablecloth
Andreina Chirinos Paoli styling her Italian inspired tablescape

Andreina gets her tablescape inspirations from photos, drawings and color palettes. “There is always a starting point when designing. I make a careful choice about each of the elements that will make up my table,” she says. “Closing your eyes and imagining Italy’s narrow and picturesque streets, the blue of its sea and the striking colors of its street markets is wonderful inspiration.”

Andreina and florist Carla (@floresbycarlacandia) created a three-part design for the stunning centerpiece. They used a tall, bowl-shaped vase and placed fruit and vegetables around it to cover the empty space at the base. They placed the main vase on a Lazy Susan, which made it easier for them to arrange it from all angles as they turned it. They lined the base with lemons and placed a thin, empty cylinder inside the main vase. Then they added a layer of sweet peppers, sliced oranges and bell peppers. The top had to lay flat for the plate with oasis. To complete the work of art, they placed the flowers in the soaked oasis to keep them fresh.

Andreina Chirinos Paoli styling the centerpiece of her tablescape
floral arrangement in Italian inspired tablescape centerpiece
inspiration board for Italian inspired tablescape

Andreina is certainly not afraid to use color in her table designs. “I have no limitation to use any color when designing, but blue is definitely my favorite,” she says. “It reminds me of the color of the sea and my roots. We used pink, yellow and orange alstroemerias and asters to give it movement.”

Could the centerpiece be recreated on a smaller scale? “Using white and blue plates; blue glasses; and a glass cylinder full of bell peppers, tomatoes, lemons and oranges as a centerpiece with some small flower arrangements in bright colors will achieve this look instantly,” Andreina says.

The goal for Andreina is to create a statement piece that will transport her guests to the place she imagined. “It is a blank canvas where you are the artist,” she says. “A beautiful table must be enjoyed by all the senses. The alfresco tables are always my favorite. For me, tables must be a true experience, more than just decoration.”

Italian inspired tablescape with peppers, flowers and citrus
close up of flowers, citrus and peppers in centerpiece of Italian inspired tablescape

Make It Memorable

Andreina’s best tips for setting a stylish tablescape.

  1. Develop a nice color palette and have fun combining.
  2. Use a vintage element to add character.
  3. Make your table visually interesting.
  4. Mix textures and materials.
  5. Avoid using strongly scented flowers and candles.
  6. Match your menu to the décor of your table.
  7. Play music with the appropriate volume.
  8. Always iron your tablecloth and napkins before setting.
Mushroom Carpaccio with Toast

Mushroom Carpaccio with Toast

Andreina shares her favorite family recipe.

What You’ll Need: 

  • Vintage dish
  • Sliced mushrooms (approximately 2 cups)
  • 1 pot of mayonnaise  (finding out from Andreina what size)
  • 1 Tablespoon mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1.5 cups of parmesan cheese
  • Toast
  • Fresh basil

What You’ll Do:

  1. Mix together in a bowl the mayonnaise, mustard, sliced
    mushrooms, olive oil, grated cheese and pepper.
  2. Place in a vintage dish.
  3. Garnish with chopped fresh basil and serve with toast.

For more tablescape inspiration, check out the many featured on our site. Of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of cottage inspiration! 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • al fresco tablescape
  • Andreina Chirinos Paoli
  • Italian inspired tablescape
  • Tablescape
Rebecca Lott

Previous Article
lakeside farmhouse cottage living room with lake view fireplace landscape painting and white color scheme
  • Decorating
  • Lifestyle
  • Renovation

Beautiful Lakeside Cottage Farmhouse

  • September 1, 2024
  • Written by Meryl Schoenbaum
  • Photography by SABRINA GROOMES
View Post
Next Article
  • Design Ideas

Beautiful Banquettes: A Cottage Kitchen Gallery

  • September 12, 2024
  • Written by Laura Shimko
View Post
You May Also Like
gallery wall of framed black and white and botanical art
View Post
  • Decorating
  • Design Ideas
  • Lifestyle

Make Your Home Meaningful

  • Written by Kelly McMaster
  • Photography by Bre Doucette
  • May 11, 2025
decorating with color with entryway seating with bright upholstery
View Post
  • Decorating

Decorating with Color

  • Written by Victoria Van Vlear
  • Photography by Bret Gum
  • March 27, 2025
Christmas gifts wrapped in wallpaper fragments
View Post
  • Christmas
  • DIY

DIY Holiday Décor with Wallpaper Scraps

  • Written by Jolene Nolte
  • Photography by Little Greene
  • December 22, 2024
close up of cookie ornaments
View Post
  • Christmas
  • DIY

Make Your Own Cookie Ornaments

  • Written by Autumn Krause
  • Photography by Stacie Moore
  • December 21, 2024
homemade paper snowflakes hang in window of curated holiday home with vintage and new collections
View Post
  • Christmas
  • DIY

Wintry Night Paper-Bag Stars

  • Written by Autumn Krause
  • Photography by David Sparks
  • December 20, 2024
dining area with view to Christmas tree deocrated with lights and neutral ornaments
View Post
  • Christmas
  • Decorating
  • Design Ideas

A Neutral and Natural Holiday Cottage

  • Written by Autumn Krause
  • Photography by Stacie Moore
  • December 19, 2024
dining room with natural tree without ornaments and greenery as table runner
View Post
  • Christmas
  • Design Ideas

Curated Holiday Collections

  • Written by Autumn Krause
  • Photography by David Sparks
  • December 12, 2024
wreath on the corner of fence with view to exterior of Pantry Hill dusted in snow
View Post
  • Christmas
  • Design Ideas

A Pantry Hill Christmas in the Country

  • Written by Autumn Krause
  • Photography by Darien Rozell
  • December 5, 2024
  • Author Bio
Rebecca Lott

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CAPTCHA Image



Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign-up to receive the best of cottage style directly in your inbox!
  • exterior view of 1926 Tudor home with floral wreath flag and sculpture of man holding a lamp
    A Timeless Tudor

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive the best of cottage style directly in your inbox!

Cottage style decorating, renovating and entertaining Ideas for indoors and out
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQ
  • Newsletter
  • Do Not Share My Personal Info
Copyright © 2025 Cottages & Bungalows

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Card image cap
We use cookies to optimise our website and give you the best experience on our website. ACCEPTREAD MORE
X