With simple floral arrangement by Sebastian Flowers and just a few table decorations, you can show off the prettiest spring flowers alongside eye-catching greenery. To keep the arrangement informal and playful, think about adding a few fruits to the table before serving a mouth-watering dish by Fulvio Pierangelini.
1. Select a colour scheme
“The harmony of the table is not simply defined by the decoration given by porcelain crockery, but by the overall shades of the colour scheme you want to achieve,” says Fulvio. “We recommend not exceeding three different shades, plus white.
2. Choose tablecloths, plates, glasses and cutlery
“For a dinner with friends, you should not be afraid to mix various series of plates and glasses. Especially on large tables, a cheerful confusion will make everything more fun and much less formal. Choose substantial plates, blown glass, natural linen for a fresh and elegant atmosphere, porcelain dishes, crystal glass and silverware for a timeless, refined effect.”
3. Use citrus fruits (or seasonal fruits) for decoration
“Now more than ever, it is important to express a sense of generosity and hospitality. Do not fear to generously fill empty spaces on the table – or on the plates that you will bring to its centre. Trays of fruit and vegetables and baskets of bread should never be missing and should be rich. Even if there is more than necessary, it will always be possible to recover what’s left. Nothing goes to waste!”
4. Prepare simple, ‘sociable’ dishes
“Choose simple dishes made with quality, basic ingredients, and place them at the centre of the table. In this way, it will be easier to satisfy the appetite of our guests in the desired quantities, and to meet the demands of those who suffer from allergies. The menu must be varied: avoid using a single ingredient twice in different courses.
“Conviviality is essential. In order not to spend the whole evening in the kitchen, prepare whatever you can as soon as possible, but do not to compromise on quality. And don't be too formal. Today, for example, it is no longer ‘mandatory’ to use place markers or fish cutlery.”
Vivacious, glamorous, powerful. Few figures encapsulate the effortless grandeur of the Belle Époque quite like Donna Franca, our Sicilian muse. Famed for her petite frame, thick dark hair and an exquisite fashion sense that has endured for over a century, Franca was the epitome of an era that placed beauty and high fashion at its forefront.
The festive season brings its own kind of sparkle - a flurry of celebrations, feasts, and time with those who matter most. To make gifting simple, we’ve curated a selection of bespoke experiences to delight everyone on your list. From candlelit dinners and Italian wine tastings to tranquil spa escapes and moments devoted to yourself, each experience thoughtfully crafted to offer moments of joy.
In a time when beauty shaped every facet of life — from the curve of a staircase to the vivid bloom of a painted iris — Italy’s Stile Liberty captured the optimism of a new century. Across Europe in the late 19th century, the Belle Époque blurred the line between art and the everyday, celebrating craftsmanship, elegance, and expressive freedom. Now, a new cultural itinerary, From Mucha to Florio, traces that movement between Hotel de la Ville in Rome and Villa Igiea in Palermo, two different cities, two glorious expressions of the same artistic impulse.
