Setting the Table for Ostara

This weekend is Ostara, the Spring Equinox, which marks the start of Spring in the Celtic Wheel of the Year. It coincides with the Vernal Equinox and the balance shifting back towards longer, lighter days. I don’t know about you, but I am very ready for them…!

One of my favourite things to do at each of the transition points of the Celtic Wheel is to set the table for a simple, seasonal celebration. I find so much joy in shopping my own home and bringing out much-loved linens, candles, decorations and props, many of which I’ve cherished for years now - and I know I will cherish them for many more years to come. I enjoy switching up my decor, including the table setting, through the seasons; it means I rarely get bored, and the items are all the more special for being brought out only for brief spells around these transition points.

It’s a ritual I find incredibly grounding, as I have fond memories of dressing the table for Spring celebrations with my family. Once I left home, I started recreating them on my own and I recently realised I’ve been sharing these table settings online in one shape or form since 2014 - click here to see the archive on my blog (and appreciate how my photography and taste have refined over the years!).

The pictures in tonight’s newsletter are from last Spring, but I’m itching to make another tablescape soon and thought it might be a nice thing to do for March’s Monthly Makes Instagram Live (my previous videos can be seen here). Would you like to join me in my kitchen to make a Spring tablescape together? I’ll keep you posted via my Instagram, as ever. In the meantime, I thought I’d talk you through this one - including my process, and where I sourced the items.

Often, the starting point for my tablescapes is nature itself, particularly the colours, patterns and textures of the season. The table setting pictured was inspired by my Scottish daffodil and blossom Easter bouquet delivered by Pyrus: I went with a soft pastel pink and yellow theme with brass accents and beeswax candles.

I begin to build up from my base layer: in this case, my gingham tablecloth from wonderful indie business The Table Edit covers all manner of marks, stains and scratches on my well-loved kitchen table. The stories it could tell! I then added candlestick holders from Pops & Piaf with twisted wax candles for height, also from The Table Edit, in shades of pink and creamy white.

I then build the place settings, starting with my crockery. I favour mismatched sets, with a mixture of vintage and independent designers. The pink scalloped plate is one of my favourites from KC Hossack Pottery and the polka dot plate and vases are vintage. For glassware, the vintage glasses with gold detail are from Bam Glasgow. I topped the plates with H&M Home linen napkins, making them into cute bunny ears (the tutorial is on my Instagram!) The mismatched cutlery is also vintage, I got the set of pastel knives at a vintage fair here in Edinburgh.

I then added some nostalgic, Springlike touches including a tiny basket from Travelling Basket, complementary colour vintage books, vintage jug and hand decorated eggs on plates and some edible ones thrown into the mix. The clear painted eggs in the blossom are from Gisela Graham. My brass bunnies and yellow and pink painted eggs are among my favourite Spring decorations and are from lovely fellow-Scot and creative business owner Amy of Pops & Piaf. I believe she’s updating her shop again soon and can’t recommend her unique homewares enough! Follow her beautiful Instagram for timings.

I have lots more ideas for things to make, do and celebrate during this time of year around Ostara too - so watch this space for more soon!