5 Tips For Creating The Perfect Tablescape With Ellie Cullman
Ellie Cullman loves to entertain, and her tables show it. For the season ahead, we asked the Cullman & Kravis founder to design an inviting tablescape that reflects her instinctive, color-forward approach. She built the setting around her signature cinnabar tone, a warm red orange inspired by her years in Japan. Chartreuse velvet chairs add a clear contrast, layered Marie Daage plates bring depth, and a mix of Murano glassware and candlesticks gives the table a soft glow. The result feels collected, modern, and full of personality.
Here are Ellie’s top five tips for creating the perfect tablescape.
1. Start With The Flowers
“Flowers are the centerpiece of the table,” Cullman says. She keeps arrangements low so guests can see across the setting and avoids a single arrangement on a long table, which she calls “deadly.”
2. Incorporate Varying Heights
“There is nothing more boring than the same horizon line,” she notes. Tall wine glasses, short water glasses, candlesticks and votives create visual rhythm.
3. Think About Linens
“The days of the white tablecloth are over,” she says. Cullman prefers a bare table paired with decorative napkins. “They should be fun and practical.”
4. Consider The Plates
“Think a lot about your plates,” she explains. She layers a decorative hello plate that greets guests and carries the first course without leaving the table bare. Beneath it is the charger, which she calls the “universal donor.” It anchors the entire setting, replaces the need for placemats, and stays on the table throughout the meal so the table is never exposed between courses.
5. Pay Attention To The Lighting
“If your lighting is not good, nothing else matters,” she says. Candlelight is essential. Overhead lighting should stay soft. “Never use downlights.”
Looking for more? See how Cullman & Kravis created a polished, personalized Manhattan loft.