When color and color meet
Designing the Passover Seder Table
When I started my series of articles on holiday table design, the institution of family was at the forefront of my mind. Family is a complex, delicate, and sensitive matter, and as such, proper holiday table design can bring a lot of good, peace, and tranquility.
For the Passover table design project, together with Orit Sherman Nahari - interior designer and home artist, owner of the SO SHERMAN design brand, and Orly Goldberg - florist and flower designer, owner of "Orly's Flower Shop" - we had no small challenge. The Seder night is usually a meal with many people. The duration of sitting around the table is long and full of interest and content - from reading the Haggadah and blessings, through the rich meal, and to the traditional holiday songs. And let's not forget the search for the Afikoman :)
So how do you design a table that is practical, pleasing to the eye, and aesthetic, so that we can enjoy it throughout the evening?
A Fresh and Innovative Concept
When we started to formulate a concept for the holiday table, it was clear to us that the direction would be colorful, fresh, spring-like, and innovative, in the spirit of the holiday and our design style. We emphasized uniqueness, but no less so - the use of designed products that will bring us pleasure in decorating home or office spaces throughout the year, not just during the holiday.
Most of the impression was made by designing an impressive table centerpiece and a correct selection of elements. You can certainly settle for a designed disposable set and not overdo it with unnecessary expenses on dishes.
We chose to create a table centerpiece that radiates harmony, through plays of heights and pleasant colors, with all guests experiencing a slightly different view from their perspective.
The most natural choice was to create a table centerpiece with pastel and spring colors, rich in elements and flowers, in precise proportions and with an emphasis on balanced contrast. We aimed for a diverse and eclectic result, and I think we definitely achieved it.
Integrating Unique Design Elements
As part of the choice to use products that are in use throughout the year, we chose existing and prominent products from our brands: SO SHERMAN and AV Design Studio (except for the SEDER Passover plate which is specifically for Passover).
We did not create new dedicated elements, so customers who have already purchased our products can simply use them to design their holiday table as well.
SO SHERMAN Shelves: A Centerpiece with a Twist
Among SO SHERMAN products, we chose to place an impressive element with a "twist" in the center of the table - we combined small shelves with flat shelves. This connection created a kind of "window" that connects the diners sitting on both sides of the table, adding a lot of interest and a wink. On the top surface, we placed dishes and the special flower arrangements created by the talented Orly, in direct continuation of the concept we built. The use of shelves can be varied in colors and patterns to choose from, as the magnetic panel can be easily replaced with a light "magnetic pull".
AV Design Studio: Agartal and Kan Series
The AGARTAL series by AV DESIGN - with its clean lines and minimalist color touches, blended harmoniously and served as a wonderful stage for Orly's flower arrangements. Also, the KAN candelabra series was incorporated, created inspired by the custom of lighting Shabbat candles according to the number of people in the house.
This year we will celebrate Seder night on Friday, so we couldn't resist and added PAMOT - a pair of white candelabras, with a clean and elegant line, to the table. Those who want to "go wild" can combine the colorful candelabras from the PAMOT series.
The SEDER Passover Plate
We also added SEDER - the traditional Passover plate, composed of bowls of different sizes, allowing each family to serve the traditional dishes in their preferred proportions. The bowls are made of 24K gold-plated brass that can be integrated into almost any table design, of any style. The plate itself is made of Corian, on which the Seder signs are engraved, reinforcing the holiday atmosphere.
The Art of Floral Arrangements
How were the correct flower arrangements adapted to the design concept? The flower arrangements were designed to complement and highlight the design elements, with an open, free, natural, and not "made up" and overly tight look, to add a delicate, colorful, and joyful touch of nature that would complete the design concept, and not burden it.
"If it makes you happy, it means you chose correctly."
Orly chose to use different types of seasonal flowers, including ranunculus, roses, spring flowers, and even some branches from the garden. The only real rule she made sure to adhere to regarding flowers - "If it makes you happy, it means you chose correctly" - we at AV embrace it! :)
Credits
Credit for holiday table design:
- Shelves - SO SHERMAN, Orit Sherman Nahari
- Flowers - Orly Flowers, Orly Goldenberg
- Photographer - Sigal Bar El
