Tablescaping for the Holiday Season with Lakshmi Pillai

For the Holiday Season our resident writer Tina Gomes Brand approached three creative business women to see how they were thinking of approaching the holidays and entertaining. 

Lakshmi Pillai’s pretty, eponymous store front is much admired on Queen Street for its colourful windows displays. It attracts an eclectic variety of shoppers looking for clothing and accessories with meaning. A global background spanning India, Africa and the Middle East, the elegant and gracious Lakshmi gathers clothing from Indian designers practicing hand sewn techniques, making each piece a bespoke treasure. In the mix is her own label of smart and chic ensembles in silks and cottons. Also sprinkled through the store are works by local artists, a reflection of this entrepreneur’s support of her community. 

With two teenagers and a busy work life which involves frequent travel to check on suppliers and designers in far-flung places, Lakshmi is focused and efficient when it comes to entertaining her friends and family. 

With a beautiful variety to choose from the No Chintz store, Lakshmi has used the Origami Abstract Print Fabric in Ginger for her festive tablecloth mixing in a variety of complementing and contrasting napkins all picked up from No Chintz stores.

 

I chatted with her as she set the table: 

Tina: Hi Lakshmi, what are your top three tips for setting a festive table?

Lakshmi: Firstly, I love to add a personal touch. Perhaps a handwritten note, or something hand made from my store like a beaded bracelet, or a poem on a card at each place setting. 

I recently had some girlfriends over for dinner where I made some large flower brooches for each of them and placed them on their plates. It looked so colourful and pretty and took care of flowers for the table!

Secondly, some flowers or fruit and veggies from the garden for colour and contrast.

Then of course soft lighting is important, and I always love beeswax candles.

 

Tina: Any tips on icebreaking? 

Lakshmi: Oh, I love connecting people and creating an intimate group! The crossovers are entertaining, and I love seeing people come together. 

I think when you have newbies to the table, it is best not to overwhelm with a big group, so there’s time to get to know the people sitting around the table in a relaxed manner. 

 

Tina: What can you do ahead of time to prepare for a gathering?

Lakshmi: Having an Indian background and growing up in South Africa meant there was always plenty of entertaining and a variety of delicious food. My parents loved their ‘braai’, a South African bbq, which would always start off their dinners, followed by mum’s Indian feast. 

Here in Sydney, I like to keep things fresh and simple. I prepare most of the main dishes beforehand so that I can be with my guests while making the salads or just adding the final touches to the table.

Ahead of time, the table being set is a no-brainer, and for me, so important to set the tone.

 

 

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Lakshmi was chatting with Tina Gomes Brand

Tina Gomes Brand is a freelance writer who searches out all things creative from food and architecture to travel, fashion and interiors. Brand writes from a broad experience of interacting with various cultures and collaborating with creative people everywhere.