HELLO! Exclusive: The Indian specialists tracing the tablescape landscape

SANYA V. JAIN

The Creative Director of Smoke Labs has a taste for all things luxe. This is apparent in her elaborate table setting, balanced with exotic blooms, ornate candelabra, Hermès crockery, and the perfect mood lighting

The HELLO! style

Everything about Sanya’s lavish tablescape for HELLO! spells decadence. Table linen in custom double-layer cotton poplin adds weight and structure to the layout, while hydrangeas in various hues infuse a dramatic charm to her otherwise elegant choices, including the custom monogrammed napkins. 

“Besides the exotic flowers, I layered the table with tall, tapered candles, and my favourite whimsical touch: a tiny martini olive pyramid!” she says.

The overhead light bulbs add a rustic touch to the look, and for the crockery, Sanya chose the exquisite craftsmanship of Hermès.

The allure of aesthetics

A beautiful table, says Sanya, always begins with balance — a harmonious blend of textures, tones, and height. She gravitates towards layering neutral linens in white or off-white, and brings in colour, movement and charm with blooms. And her go-to elements: “Always tall, tapered candles for a bit of drama, tea lights for warmth, and a sense of symmetry that ties everything together without feeling too rigid.”

One for mixing objects of varying heights, Sanya loves to use coffee-table books, depending on the theme and her mood.

“Fresh flowers, linen napkins, beautiful, dim lighting… These are my everyday luxuries. They invite you to slow down, linger, and enjoy the meal,” says Sanya, for whom tablescaping is the epitome of a layered story, starting with grounding elements like an eye-catching tablecloth, building with heights and textures with napkins or ceramics, and culminating with a touch of whimsy and personal details.

“The key is to create flow — nothing should compete; everything should complement,” she stresses. “I step back often to see the whole picture and tweak things until it feels cohesive yet lived in. It’s not about perfection; it’s about creating warmth and intention.”

Make it personal

Customised linens are a staple on her spreads, “especially since finding a beautiful 12ft tablecloth is no easy task!”

Sanya believes in adding elements that speak directly to the guests — monogrammed napkins, handwritten place cards, tiny bowls of salted nuts or olives, a sprig of rosemary tucked into the napkin fold, or even a scented tea light that sets the mood before the meal begins.

“Sometimes, it’s as simple as ensuring everyone’s favourite drink is poured before they sit down. Those subtle gestures make guests feel seen and cherished.”

Plating up

Whether it’s a tailored jacket or a set of fine dinnerware, Sanya is drawn to things that are elegant, enduring, and quietly refined. For her, true sophistication lies in the details, like quintessential crisp napkins, fine china, and elegant flatware for a refined setting.

“My style is classic and timeless. I try to stick to a harmonious palette — neutral with accents — and I like using proper glassware,” she adds. “I let the food shine, and avoid strong candles or fragrances while entertaining.”

Dior, L’Objet, La DoubleJ, Gien, Baccarat, Hermès, Christofle, and Riedel are some of her favourite brands, though the choice always depends on the occasion. At Sanya’s, one would be hard pressed to find a trace of wine. But she will shake up vodka martinis with citrus twists, or serve a clean G&T with herbs, only with spirits made at her distilleries, all paired with truffle fries, caviar-topped blinis, or charred asparagus!

ANUJA GUPTA

After co-founding design studio Apartment 9 over two decades ago, she recently ventured into a more intimate form of creative expression with My Table. It’s a concept rooted in her love for the art of designing tablescapes — as is evident

The HELLO! style

Anuja’s old English-style tablescape for HELLO! can be summed up in three words: maximal, abundant and raw. Vivid is the contrast among the greens, earthy vintage crockery, and silverware, each adding its own touch of understated glamour. There’s a rustic edge from all the organic, dry arrangements, which also reflect the factor most important to her: using layers to add texture and a sense of abundance to the design.

“My way of doing things is always to add that extra unexpected element,” she explains.

In this case, it’s perhaps the use of apples in a regimented manner, along with grapes that look sculpted and whole walnuts that further punctuate the table with texture. The use of jute and choice of flowers are a lesson in juxtaposition, as well.

“Here, we have layered jute with linen that’s characterised by bold stripes. This was done to bring in a touch of modernism, and to complement the vintage silver,” Anuja explains. “There are soft, wild elements among the flowers, and hard elements in the proteas and lotus fruits. Finally, candles bring everything to life.”

The allure of aesthetics

Her signature, she says, is the use of old antique books, though layers are key in her designs, “created through textures and objectives, proportion of heights and variety of flowers.”

Her go-to elements are an amalgamation of flowers, candles and linens — so much so that she even makes the candles herself, depending on the occasion, theme and colour she’s chosen.

Make it personal

Although she went the grand and theatrical way for HELLO!, her approach to intimate settings is deeply personalised. Her guests and their personalities define the evening for her — everything from the menu to what she’s trying to convey through her table resonates with her guests.

“When I curate a dinner table, I always delve into the personal aspects. Who is being hosted? Why is this dinner being planned? What’s the head count, and what are their relationships with each other like? What about their backgrounds? All these nuances act as catalysts to keep the guests immersed in the setting comfortably.”

Palate Pleasers

Her menus are styled with the same thoughtful flair — presented in a way that people know what they’re expected to eat. She also ensures that the crockery flows with the choice of décor. Besides turning to her favourite brands — Rezon, Baccarat, Villeroy & Boch, and, of course, Apartment 9 — she often asks people to pull out their own heirloom collections to create a collaborative aesthetic that’s layered in personal stories.

RESHMA KHATTAR BHAGAT

The Director of Thomas Goode India comes from a family of aesthetes. Having been closely associated with the art of tablescaping for years, her eye for design comes through in her lavish setup for HELLO!

The HELLO! style

Stark on Reshma’s table is the contrast of ivory, scarlet and gold, accentuated by the gilded rims of her fine bone china crockery. The intricate work on the crystal glassware, also punctuated with the protruding rims, lend a layer of quiet luxury to the spread.

She brings her spring-summer garden theme to life with her signature white lilies, along with white orchids and hydrangeas. Also evident is her undulating love for spherical objects. Our favourites, though, are the embellished elephant napkin pins that are undeniable conversation starters.

The allure of aesthetics

Reshma’s approach to tablescaping is twofold: one, she only selects pieces that hold the potential of becoming heirlooms — those that future generations would be lucky to inherit, as they would otherwise disappear from racks — and two, she loves to present the old and the new together to spark conversations. Think embellished butterfly napkin pins, snail-shaped salt and pepper shakers, or miniature elephants holding cocktail picks.

“The intent is not to make it so ornate that it becomes all about staging. The real idea is to speak your own language,” she says. “The table should reflect your home, your emotions. I like having something only I own — completely bespoke. I’ll personalise whatever can be personalised.”

Her favourite touches present themselves as flowers and candles — even more so when they are floating! Exquisite linens, crystal glassware, statement dinnerware, sterling silver cutlery and candlelight also make their way to her tables.

“It’s about creating a sense of effortless elegance and unexpected delight. Unanticipated detailing such as those of beautifully wrapped gifts, a play of heights for dynamism, and using scents truly make the table one-of-a-kind.”

Make it personal

From understanding the guests to creating themes of relevance to the occasion, Reshma swears by handwritten elements and shared memories. As she says, it’s often the subtle details that transform the mundane into the magnificent.

“Intimacy and personalisation are paramount. It’s about making each guest feel truly special and considered,” Reshma adds. “Ensure that the centerpiece doesn’t obstruct the flow of conversation around the table, and that the lighting is soft and flattering. The goal is to facilitate genuine connection.”

Plating up

As the head of Thomas Goode India, Reshma naturally gravitates towards its bespoke offerings — from their exquisite dinnerware to hand-cut crystal. She also turns to Baccarat and Saint-Louis for crystalware, Christofle for their silver; Linley for unique, finely crafted wooden accessories; and either SFERRA or Frette for linens.

SABA KAPOOR

A creative mind and co-founder of Nivasa, Saba’s work is an amalgam
of extravagance and intimacy. Her table presents all the hallmarks of her
design genius — including her personal touch of whimsy

The HELLO! style

Saba’s table was deeply inspired by the environment it was set in — a beautiful farm that celebrates both nature and artistry. As an attempt to design an extension of the setting, the table was crafted entirely in corten steel and suspended from the ceiling. It exudes a playful character while remaining grounded and earthy with plants, artfully set up by Fiorella, a flower boutique, and sculptures.

“We selected a muted, greenish-gray set with gold rims — subtle yet luxurious. For cutlery, I loved using Xaka, an Indian brand that beautifully draws inspiration from nature and reinterprets it in a contemporary way,” she elaborates.

The allure of aesthetics

Saba strikes a balance between emotional storytelling and functionality, structure and softness, materials, textures, shapes, and scale. She combines hard surfaces like steel or stone with soft linens, organic forms, and natural elements like plants or wood. One for organic beauty, she also has an affinity for natural materials, earthy tones and asymmetry.

“My go-to décor details usually include handmade objects, sculptural accents, layered linens, and flora — whether it’s branches, wild greens, or artistically arranged stems,” she says. “I always aim for a dialogue between all the elements, where each piece adds to the overall narrative without overpowering it. It’s less about being ornate and more about being authentic.”

Make it personal

Like most, Saba, too, is of the belief that personalisation comes through materials and objects that hold meaning — “like using local artisan-made pieces, or subtly curating mismatched elements that reflect the personality of the host. Even the placement of napkins, or the way two placemats are mirrored to create unexpected layering, can evoke a sense of intimacy and intentionality.”

With an innate love for infusing drama into the table, Saba works with the idea of creating an unexpected design twist — be it through suspension, asymmetric chairs, mirrored placemats, or natural sculptures.

Palate Pleasers

Noritake is her brand of choice for timeless crockery. She oscillates between minimal, organic, opulent and festive depending on her mood. When it comes to wines and nibbles, the time of the day, the season, and energy of the gathering influence her choices.

“I love working with a farm-tofork approach — using local, seasonal ingredients wherever possible,” she adds. “Sometimes, we even do blind wine tastings; it adds a playful, engaging element to the table. Whether it’s a crisp white on a summer afternoon, or a deep red with earthy cheeses on a winter evening, the pairings always echo the spirit of the moment.”

LALIMA CHHABRA
She isn’t just the founder of Figment, a Delhi-based design studio — she’s also a floral stylist, and an interior designer. Although, it’s her talent as a tablescape artist that shines bright in her innovative, fruity-floral tropical spread

The HELLO! style
Lalima’s fruity-floral tropical tablescape began at her local market. Curated artistically over a monochrome runner are tulips and pincushion flowers interspersed between bananas, custard apples, sponge gourds and gooseberries. Also conspicuous amid the flora are animal figurines completing the ‘forest.’

“My formula is simple: theme equals colours plus texture,” she explains. “It’s greens and oranges with metals and textiles for this table. This is how I add method to the chaos of a tablescape. The contrasting black-and-dark gray striped fabric adds character without taking away from the colours.”

The heroes of her design are the tomatoes, strawberries, artichokes and grapes she’s used for ornamentation, thanks to the cultural property that these ‘décor’ elements carry in the Indian context. 

The allure of aesthetics

Flowers as her go-to would be the obvious answer, but her use of non-traditional blooms add a twist to her tablescapes. Next comes candles — pillar, tapered, arborists, stands and votives — and colours.

“A few principles I follow religiously are bringing in a variety of textures and materials to the table, and mixing and matching a lot,” she says. “I also always suggest trying to work with local flowers over exotic ones.”

With a natural inclination for maximalism, Lalima is all about an overflow of layers, textures and colours — albeit all perfectly balanced and complementing.

“If you’re going bold with the flowers, take the table linens down a notch so not everything screams for attention,” she says. “You also need to figure out what you want highlighted the most on the table to create a more cohesive look.”

Make it personal

“The devil is in the details,” Lalima stresssed. To make the table more intentional, she recommends going the DIY way using items usually readily available at home — jute ropes can act as napkin rings; flowers, leaves, blackboard and chalks, or random pieces of paper can personalise the table, making the experience even more inviting for guests.

Palate Pleasers
A nicely laid table automatically makes the food taste better — that’s Lalima’s core philosophy. Be it the basics of mats or the creative add-ons of plates and cutlery, each décor item has its rightful place on the table. 

Her brand preferences vary on the basis of the occasion: “Good Earth for a sit-down dinner, Nicobar for a more fun, playful look, and Fabindia for more everyday pieces.”

For silverware, she swears by Louis Vuitton Lifestyle, for ceramics, Oman, and Pune-based Oli Mati, and for ultraluxury setups, Baccarat.

“Beyond the brands, I love to source vintage pieces from all across India. These could be brass artefacts or décor items from your grandma’s cupboard or from your travels, which merge with the tables I create.”

SHIVAN & NARRESH

They may be best known for their resortwear, but Shivan Bhatiya and Narresh Kukreja are gradually taking their distinct visual language to homes. Their tablescape is a vivid story of their eclectic style

The HELLO! style

Colour, colour and more colour is what one would first notice on their table for HELLO!. And, of course, eclectic graphics. Brought to life by their vibrant ‘Iconomash’ crockery, Portuguese ceramics printed with German food-safe inks, the tablescape by Shivan and Narresh embodies the brand’s penchant for through-and-through maximalism.

“What truly makes this setting stand out are the hero elements — the striking bluestemmed glassware, our signature leather tablemats, and the Saf napkin rings,” shares Shivan. “Together, they create a tablescape that reflects our design philosophy.”

The allure of aesthetics

“One of the core design principles when crafting a tablescape is guiding the natural flow of the eye,” explains Narresh. “Whether it’s a brunch or an evening setting, it’s important to ask: when someone glances at the table, where would their eye land first, and where would you want it to travel next?”

For the designer duo, the surface sets the anchor, whereas eye-catching hues, graphic linens, and striking crockery act as the visual entry point. Drawing the gaze next are either floral or candle arrangements, and height is used as a functional add-on — tall pieces suit buffet-style setups, whereas low arrangements are ideal for sit-down dinners, allowing for comfortable conversation.

“The Saf napkin ring — one of our signature touches — is an effortless way to infuse bold glamour into any tablescape,” says Shivan. “Whether you opt for the gold or silver finish, it instantly elevates the setting.”

Make it personal

When customising a table, simplicity, mindfulness, and effortless curation are the principles that guide these fashion designers turned interior artists.

“On days when flowers are scarce, even just a few freshly plucked blooms can make a difference. A single flower tucked into a napkin ring atop each plate can brighten the entire setting,” shares Narresh, explaining how the smaller gestures can infuse charm into the table, and invite meaningful conversations.

Palate Pleasers

All for whimsy and extravagant colours, the designers often gravitate towards their own curations over established brands, preferring their “bold, maximal and graphically rich pieces that add visual excitement.” And their picks of glassware are either simple and clear, or make a statement with a standout hue.

“Lately, we’ve been loving our sapphire blue glassware in wine, goblet, and champagne styles,” Shivan adds. “These classics always prove to be versatile and pair with any vibrantcrockery quite beautifully.” Food, they believe, is central to setting the tone of the table. While the cuisine anchors as the visual language, the table linen, candles, and crockery style help enhance the overall sensorial harmony of the layout.

As for pairings, their wine selections lean starkly towards Italian notes. “Light, silky Pinot Grigio, Gavi for whites during easy dinners, and sleek Chiantis and elegant Barolos for reds, for more finer settings,” Narresh recommends. “We try to play smart and healthy with the nibbles. They are mostly a combination of some finger-sized grilled proteins, a petit platter of fresh salads, or crispy rice or seed crackers that we pair with innovative dips and burrata boards.”

Photography by Anil Chawla

Creative direction by Amber Tikari: