The Southern Table

Text By Sara Wright Covington, Photos by Olivia Reed
Florals and Styling by Charlotte Wessel

Entire books, magazines, websites and brands have been devoted to the intricate design of  this space which ultimately defines any get-together. Whether you choose fine china and fresh flowers or paper plates and a fun plastic cloth, as a Southerner you likely take great pride in your responsibility as host. Charlotte Wessel, backyard gardener, entertainer and owner of renowned floral design business Buckets and Blooms, is a firm believer tables should be easy and unfussy.

“A table should be easy and not scare your guests,” says Wessel. “It should make them feel comfortable, so I always try to set the table according to my company.”  Wessel also suggests going against the grain and resisting the urge to throw out all of summer’s warmth with the first hints of fall. “Fall doesn’t have to be all orange pumpkins and corn mazes and sunflowers,” she says. “Also, don’t be afraid to carry your rattan accessories into fall.” Wessel insists that the best way to really make the most of the season is to try and capture one of fall’s most fleeting flowers--the dahlia. “Dahlias really are the most fall flower.  They die after the first frost, and they don’t have a long life after you cut them. So they are very delicate.”  Wessel is a huge fan of using peaches and creams from fall through Christmas and insists many of the most lovely seasonal things may be right in your backyard.

“Bows can be intimidating,” says Wessel, “but they don’t have to be. I love ribbon, but I’m not super fussy about it. You can just keep it simple. And this wreath is just a simple grape vine wreath you can go and buy and then just add more boxwood.”

“For this door arch, I took chicken wire and rolled it like a sausage and then zip tied it in three spots,” says Wessel.  “Then I started with boxwood and just kept adding. The chicken wire gives it dimension. It will last an entire season. Another tip: if you are building a house, make a plan for if you want to decorate outside! Have your builder add in nails and built-in screws.”

Final tip:  Always spotlight your front door, especially at Christmas!