The Table Top Ideas

Decorate with topiaries and cloches

Cloche is the French word for "bell." The original cloches were large bell-shaped jars used to start seedlings and protect from the elements. Today, many garden gift shops carry decorative bells to use on tables to cover potted herbs, nests, mosses and herbs. These portable glasshouses add a Victorian refinement to your tea party table. Display with ivy and herb topiaries in varying heights.

Use tea cozies for a fresh new look each time

We are the exclusive retailer for Tea Cozies by Carol J. Lang. Each cozy is lined and includes Velcro attachments for easy fitting. Cozies are available in a myriad of colors and patterns: Classic toile, modern and retro, cottage chic and seasonal.

Serve tea in a Double Spout Pot

Accommodate your guests by serving a couple pots of tea brewed in the double spout pot. That way you have four teas to sample without taking up table space. A conversation piece!

Offer fresh herbs as flavor enhancers

Use tiny glass vases for party favors and fill with fresh mint or lemon verbena for your guests to customize the flavor of their tea. This is a nice icebreaker and will stimulate conversation.

Use Chinese Tea tables for a Modern look

Instead of the traditional tea table, serve your tea on antique Chinese tea tables. We are always on the look out for antiques tables used exclusively for the art of serving tea. Many we find were rescued during the Cultural Revolution and are from the Qing Dynasty. They have interesting joinery and hardware. Check Petali Home on our Online Shop for our newest acquisitions.

Use place cards

A design feature that allows for creativity and pulls the theme together. Mini pumpkins with gold writing, votives with the name printed on a handmade paper collar, Clementines as a base to insert a name card or a beautiful teaspoon with the name written on it with washable ink and tied to a vintage napkin with silk ribbon.

 Display antique tea strainers

Serve sugar crystals, lemons or loose tea in your vintage or antique strainers.

Never underestimate the vegetable plant

Vegetables have beautiful, sinuous vines and tendrils, simple and beautiful blossoms and unique and architectural leaves. Take advantage of this bounty when decorating your table and include a few interesting vegetables to your arrangement such as Asian eggplants or currant tomatoes.

Don’t pull and toss stray herbs or plants

We always have stray strawberry plants peeking through the brick sidewalk. Guests love plants, so fill a clear glass vase with water and dangle stray herbs and plants- roots and all. Make sure you wash the roots first. Give away as a gift to each guest. A great way to save a stray plant!