I seem to have been on a bit of a paring down of late, focusing in on tablescapes that are, well, trimmed down and sometimes even barely there!

This minimalistic look always works a treat in settings like the snow (as in my last blog, The White Stuff) because you have the fabulously spectacular panoramic backdrop of the powder covered mountain for the ‘pop’ (or in most cases when talking about mother nature’s vistas, the complete kaboom ) and it doesn’t make sense to try and compete with such perfection. Much better just to attempt to enhance the beauty going on outside the window with a few rustic placemats and earthy tableware.

I have also noticed, with appreciation, just how well the bare minimum complements a restaurant table in a tropical paradise, say Bali but, really, anywhere that the heat and humidity be so predictable a forecast is not needed. And, I kid you not, these sort of places do exist on planet earth…Kuala Lumpur being one. Through my tenure in the capital city of the land of the expat, I didn’t see or hear a weather forecast. It wasn’t necessary. You see today’s weather is the same as yesterday which will be the same tomorrow: 38C walking-through-cotton-wool sticky and a thunderstorm that was often strong enough to knock out the television reception if not the power at 3.00pm. In fact this was when I became privy to just what havoc a storm can do to one’s talk show viewing

But to get back to my point  with the abundance of fabulous tropical flowers taking centre stage in every direction in this clime, anything added to the table beyond the condiments, can often become a mute point!

Tinerate, another brilliant environ to scale back is the woodlands. With a forest of pines, maples and elms in close-up and full blown cinemascope view through floor to ceiling landscape windows, any dressing of the table would just pale in comparison don’t you think?

And just to clarify, (having just said all that,) on occasion, even without the drama of a spectacular view, I have encountered the minimalistic approach with, what I think, is a superb result…

Anyhoo, what are your thoughts on this downsizing de-cluttering  trend? Stunningly spectacular or suitably standard? Do tell…

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo