How to master the Midsummer tablescape, according to experts

Midsummer is the celebration when we’re allowed to be more romantic, in both our ensembles and the decoration. Swathing summer dresses, floral crowns and rustic tablescapes set the scene for the longest day of the year.

“To say that the Midsummer tablescape is important may sound a bit pretentious,” ponders Frida Thofelt, a vintage interior trader and what can only be described as a tablescape artist. “But today it seems we’re always in a rush. We devour a tired and overpriced salad in front of the computer for lunch.” The contrast to the long hours spent around the table on Midsummer is stark. And, Thofelt adds, that extra effort to create a beautiful tablescape adds more than you would think to the occasion.

Svenskt Tenn’s curator Karin Södergren agrees. “All table settings are important, but it is, of course, especially important to set the table nicely when you have guests,” she says. “I love to sit down at a beautifully set table. Why bother with just the food?” After all, Södergren points out, Svenskt Tenn’s founder Estrid Ericsson said that not only the palate but also the eye should be addressed by a table setting.

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As for decor, both Thofelt and Södergren agrees that classics are classics for a reason. “I'm not much for trends,” says Södergren. Thofelt agrees, saying “when it comes to tablescapes it should always be about personal taste. To try and follow trends rarely turns out well.” Instead, she suggests, ironing the table cloth and reaching for traditional centrepieces. For Thofelt, the sun-bleached miniature wooden flagpoles used throughout the years always have a place on the Midsummer table.

For Södergran, there is nothing better on a set table than flowers. “Remember that the flowers should be low so you can see everyone sitting around the table,” she says. “This Midsummer I will decorate a long stick like a Midsummer wreath and hang it over the table.” She also points out that unexpected combinations tend to be extra nice. “Mix purchased flowers with what you find in your garden or out in nature.”

According to Södergran, the best place to start is to decide the main character for the evening and let it set the tone for your table setting. “If you have a nice table, let it be the main attraction. If you have a fabric you love, let it be the tablecloth,” she says. Or, if you are going to sit outside for a long time, a fantastic lantern above the table is a sure-fire way to keep the party going long after sundown.

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When it comes down to the nitty-gritty of cutlery, china, and glassware, wood is an excellent feature to have on the Midsummer table. Rustic glasses are another feature perfectly fit for the event, and the perfect thing to get pre-loved. “Like crystal Schnapp glasses, or wonderful serving bowls with some character, porcelain napkin rings,” says Thofelt. “Or why not 16 odd vases for the table to fill with flowers from the garden?”

Working with second-hand and vintage tableware, Thofelt has become an expert in making the mismatched look intentional. “I always put everything I could possibly imagine I’ll use during the night out onto a big table to make sure there is some cohesion,” says Thofelt. “To keep a common thread, I usually make sure to have the same linen napkins for everyone and similar glasses, if not the same.”

Södergran shares the sentiment that if things get too motley with pre-loved table settings, choosing a single-coloured napkin or table cloth ensures an elevated and unified look. “It is important to find the right balance.”

Some pieces are worth the investment. For Södergran it is the soft furnishings, the table cloth and napkins. “Invest in textiles,” she says. “In the things that you love. It can never go wrong when you decorate with things you love.” Thofelt will always spend a little bit extra on cutlery and thin wine glasses, saying that “there is nothing worse than drinking wine out of thick glasses.”

Placement cards is another aspect of tablescapes that can really elevate the Midsummer experience, Thofelt points out. Södergran share the sentiment, urging the importance of tactility. “Adding something handmade makes the table setting come to life,” she says. “Cut a placement card, bake decorated bread, or make your own garland and hang it above the table,” she exemplifies.

And one final piece of advice? “Never leave the food in the store-bought packaging,” says Thofelt. “Never, ever.”