When she's not visiting her husband Steph Curry at the Paris Olympics, chef and entrepreneur Ayesha Curry is dreaming up new ways to make family life beautiful. Much of this creativity filters through her lifestyle brand, Sweet July. Though the entire line is stunning, I'm especially in love with her tableware.
Sweet July's take on tablescaping is simple and stunning, combining the rustic energy of linen and matte ceramics with contemporary silhouettes. Ayesha Curry is at the center of the design, and her philosophy is just as striking as the products themselves. Homes & Gardens was lucky enough to interview Curry for Sweet July, and learn how she perfects summer entertaining.
'The most important part of a meal is not what’s on the table but the people sitting around the table,' Curry tells H&G. 'As long as you’re gathering people together, that’s a win in my book. I consider the kitchen our gathering place. It’s a place where we share a meal and talk about our day. Many of my happiest memories throughout my life have been spent with family and friends around the kitchen table.' Suddenly, summer tablescaping doesn't seem so difficult.
She continues, 'So my tips, along that theme, are to keep it simple. Avoid any plateware and linens too fussy or delicate that people can’t be comfortable, and any centerpieces too tall for people to see each other.' Like the Sweet July dishware, Curry's dining table philosophy centers on balancing function with aesthetics. Further, this tip is especially helpful for al fresco tablescaping, where outside factors like wind can render an extremely delicate ineffective.
Another idea from Curry for minimizing your duties as a host is to dine family-style. She says: 'Im a big fan of family-style dining. It’s easier on the chef and passing trays around is always a good conversation starter. The food and drinks you’re serving can be elegant, but a casual, comfortable table will always be the way to go.' Whether you eat in the family kitchen or around a more formal dining table, this serving style creates a laid-back, cozy feel.
How does she help guests feel comfortable in her home? Again, keeping it simple. She states: 'I think this is probably something instilled in me from my mom, but whenever anyone comes to my house, the second they walk in I'm offering them a beverage. Whether that’s a coffee in the morning, or maybe a glass of wine in the evening. It always helps to make people feel comfortable and welcome.' It's the perfect way to help people settle into your cozy kitchen.
Shop the Look
We tracked down the exact dishware, napkins, and glassware that Ayesha Curry uses in her kitchen to make following in her footsteps unbelievably easy.
Curry uses Telegraph Ceramics in the color nutmeg to give her table an earthy, grounded feel
This gorgeous glassware is hand-blown from recycled wine bottles for a sustainable and beautiful complement to any tablescape
Washed rustic linen napkins are perfect for adding a bit of texture while keeping with the theme of the tablescape
Whatever your dining table style, bringing an air of comfort to the space goes a long way. As Ayesha Curry says, keep it simple.
