Les Ottomans makes tableware that is meant to be noticed: hand-painted ceramics, coloured crystal glasses, painted trays and candle holders. Here's a closer look at the pieces we stock and some practical ideas for setting a colourful table with them.
Start with a theme: the lemon collection
A single motif repeated across the table is the easiest way to make colour look deliberate. The Les Ottomans lemon pieces are hand-painted and made in Italy, a cheerful ode to a favourite citrus. Build from a centrepiece such as the Hand Painted Lemon Ceramic Cake Stand, then add the Hand Painted Lemon Ceramic Jug for water or flowers.
The range also includes a bread plate set of two, a side dish, a serving tray and salt and pepper shakers, so you can scatter the lemons around the table rather than piling them in the middle. Two or three pieces are often enough to set the mood; let plain white plates and linen do the rest.
Glassware that brings the colour
Coloured glass is a clever way to add colour that changes with the light. The Coloured Murano Crystal Glass Tumblers Set of Four are decorated with coloured inlaid glass and sold as a set of four different colours, so every place setting is slightly different. The long-stemmed Coloured Murano Crystal Wine Glasses Set of Four follow the same idea. Both are made in Italy.
For celebrations, the Gold Crystal Flute Glass Set of Four stand 23cm tall and are made in Italy, and there are matching gold crystal tumblers, wine flutes and goblets in Murano crystal glass. A tip: if your glasses are multicoloured, keep the napkins in one quiet shade so the glass stays the star.
Candlesticks and candle holders
Candles add height, and height is what stops a table looking flat. The Palm Tree Green Candlestick Holder is hand-painted with a glossy glaze in a tropical green. The Hand Painted Ceramic Leopard Candle Holder is 33cm tall, in glazed, hand-painted ceramic made in Italy, and the Hand Painted Ceramic Parrot Candle Holder Set Of 2 comes as a pair.
Group candle holders in odd numbers and at different heights along the centre of the table, leaving room to see across it. A leopard holder beside a green palm tree works well because the two share a playful, holiday feel without matching exactly. The ceramic pieces are hand wash only, so give them a gentle rinse after dinner.
Trays for serving and display
A painted tray is one of the most useful pieces you can own. The Hand Painted Iron Tray measures 43 x 30cm and works as a decorative trinket tray day to day or for carrying drinks at a dinner party; simply wipe it gently with a damp cloth. The lemon serving tray is a ceramic alternative if you want to stay with the citrus theme.
Putting a colourful table together
- Pick one hero: a cake stand, a jug or a pair of candle holders, then build around it.
- Repeat colours: pull a shade from the hero piece into napkins or flowers.
- Vary heights: mix tumblers, stemmed glasses and tall candle holders.
- Leave some calm: plain plates and a simple cloth keep hand-painted pieces from competing.
Browse our full Les Ottomans collection to see every piece, or visit the shop in Somerset or contact the team for help planning a table.
