Spring. We’re finally here. That moment when we shake off our winter sluggishness, as everything around us comes back to life and even the smallest things bring us joy. Like those delicate little primroses catching our eye at the garden center, tempting us to plant them in charming old terracotta pots… Or the soft, golden morning light filtering through the curtains, whispering that a beautiful season is on its way…
It’s the time of year when we feel like gathering loved ones around a beautifully set table, creating a poetic and cheerful atmosphere. And yet, it’s also a moment to pause—stepping away from the endless house and garden projects that, though never-ending, will bring so much joy in just a few weeks, when the flowers bloom, and we can finally craft floral arrangements to brighten every corner of the home.
Spring is truly here. Our senses awaken, ideas flow, and new projects take shape. Let’s take a moment to explore how to set a table with delicate white hellebores.
Last year, I set a table with hellebores because, after a long winter pause, I was craving fresh flowers on the table. They were the only blooms in the garden at that time of year. However, I had opted for deeper, cooler tones. This year, I went for a softer, pastel palette, highlighting new hellebore varieties that bring a luminous touch. I mainly used white hellebores—I find the double white varieties especially elegant—complemented by a few blooms in delicate pink hues.
In this article, I’ll walk you through how to create these delicate bouquets, detailing the flowers and branches I selected in case you’d like to make a similar arrangement. To complement the hellebores, I added simple branches gathered from the garden, carefully choosing small twigs with buds just about to bloom. This not only adds a lovely structure to the bouquet but also introduces an extra touch of color—a fresh, tender green that perfectly evokes spring.
For this table, I created three bouquets, arranging them casually in medium-sized vases. To bring harmony to the setting, I incorporated shades of blue in the vases, candle holders, and candles—a color that pairs beautifully with white and pink. These soft hues also echo the tableware, while an assortment of colored glassware adds a lively, refreshing touch to the table.
Speaking of tableware, I took advantage of March to sort my collection by theme and season, which gave me the perfect excuse to bring out this beautifully floral and spring-like Bernardaud set. This table didn’t necessarily need a tablecloth—the dishes stood out wonderfully against the raw wood, creating a charming rustic effect. However, the light gray checkered tablecloth (woven by a master weaver in Alsace, sadly no longer with us) adds a soft, countryside feel that I find particularly delightful.
For those who follow Une Bonne Maison, you know how much I love pairing all kinds of florals with checks or stripes. This is a perfect example of a combination that works beautifully—so feel free to try it at home!
The meal was the perfect opportunity to share this deliciously creamy Jerusalem artichoke velouté as a starter (recipe here). Soups are often overlooked as an appetizer, but they’re so easy to make, full of flavor, and a wonderful way to awaken the taste buds. You could also go for a simple cauliflower cream soup or a classic vichyssoise—your guests will love it!
For the main course, keep it effortless yet delicious: a roasted chicken, some olive oil-drizzled potatoes infused with thyme and garlic, and a light, refreshing salad on the side.
To finish on a sweet note, we made a Banana Bread with Rum (recipe here), which also happens to be a perfect treat for an afternoon tea break.
