5 minute tropical table decoration.

I really can't cook, so I hope I make up for it by setting an imaginative table. I want everyone around it to laugh, to argue, to feel seduced.

Now sometimes sparking conversation between guests can be more challenging than getting the soufflé to rise. I try to stir up our dinners by mixing up the location and the menus but also the guests themselves, occasionally it’s a risk so now I stack the guest list with someone I know who has an interesting story to tell, like Captain Bob, (Sugar Mill Linda’s husband) who when prompted will keep our friends spell bound with his tales of being struck by lightning, fired at by pirates (he was a fisherman crewing ships with valuable lobster cargoes) and being bitten by a shark. You can guess who won that fight.

My great grandmother, a remarkable woman, who travelled the world, sat next to the last of the Cannibal Kings at a formal dinner, bear in mind this was years and years ago, she could not resist asking him what human flesh tasted like, without hesitation he replied, “Babies fingers are simply delicious.” Can you imagine?! How horrifying.

If you don’t have a Captain Bob or a Cannibal King to spark conversation perhaps enlist one of your young adult children. Amory, one of mine, once seated at dinner between a husband and wife, neither of whom he had previously met but both of whom he was able to captivate. With a bit of mischief. The husband, to his left, asked him what he was doing with his life “Oh, I am studying at a university for the creative arts” he continued “I want to be a film maker, or rather an auteur”. A little while later the wife, on his other side, turned to him and asked what he was doing with his life “Oh, I am learning how to bake cinnamon rolls. I want to become a world class baker and re-ignite the Cinnabon” Can you imagine the conversation between husband and wife driving home after dinner “What an interesting young chap” one might have said to the other “he’s so focused on the movie world” “what do you mean?” the other would have replied “he’s becoming a baker.”

At the dinner above, set up on the hill, I was including my new friends and colleagues from Recess Pickleball, for whom I designed 4 pickle paddles. (if you happen to be shopping for my paddles in the UK they are here)

I love Grace and Maggie, young ambitious female founders and in turn they loved my coconut table.

Having penned, photographed and published a book on entertaining it felt like a perfect move to partner with Pomegranate on some napkins, tablecloths, runners, placemats and the occasional glass and plate, (those tortoise melamine ones can be found here) 

An island friendship with the owner led to several limited editions incorporating the brand’s history in hand-block printing and Indian artisans. Both Angela and I believe what makes a decent dinner are the friends, family and conversation but a prettily designed tablecloth or two certainly helps.

JOIN ME LIVE ON INSTAGRAM, tomorrow, THURSDAY.

12:30pm EST 5:30pm UK time FOR OUR LATEST LAUNCH ‘Endless Summer’

And always set your table wearing a long glittery evening gown…