Who will set the most stunning table?
Published on 9 June 2022
“Waww la table” is a weekly Instagram contest showcasing grid-worthy table settings that all have one thing in common: the wow factor. The entries are judged by an equally impressive jury: Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx, accomplished designer India Mahdavi, and French TV journalist and royal expert Stéphane Bern. At Maison&Objet, the contest is set to go “pro” with a special edition for the trade fair’s brands and exhibitors, with the three best entries winning the opportunity to be placed under the spotlight at the event. Péri Cochin is the co-founder of new French brand “Waww”, which is sassily sending shock waves through the art of table setting.
Why is setting a table no longer considered a grind?
People no longer go into a shop to dress themselves from head to toe. It’s the same with table settings. People are keen to mix things up, combining grandma’s best china with one-of-a-kind pieces, or sitting Baccarat alongside supermarket finds. Designing a table setting requires a certain amount of energy, and that’s what makes it such fun.
How should we go about putting this new kind of table setting together?
Start by making a list of everything you’ve got. Then, let your imagination run wild and start combining pieces in an unexpected way, mixing up flowers, stripes and colours, and sometimes even stretching the boundaries of good taste. Basically, have fun playing around! Then, pick out a tablecloth or a sheet – that works equally well! – and add a few fun or creative objects and accessories for that perfect finishing touch.
Which was the craziest table you’ve ever dined at?
A table set up in a swimming pool! It was a baking hot day, and we were swinging our feet in the water enjoying the brand-new sensation of stimulating numerous senses all at once.
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If you’re a terrible cook, can an attractive table help draw attention away from your food?
That’s not our philosophy! Thierry Marx believes an attractive table can whet people’s appetites. But you could always choose to elevate a takeaway by laying a stunning table!