It’s official; spring has sprung and we’ve had so much lovely feedback about our recent spring content. Working with Stylist Selina Lake to create the beautiful tablescapes you’ve been seeing across social media, our website and emails, we thought you might like to learn more about Selina, where she finds inspiration and some of her top tips for you to try at home.
About Stylist Selina Lake
Selina studied Surface Decoration at University. After graduation she did work experience with various stylists on magazine and commercial photoshoots and absolutely loved it. “After a few weeks of work experience I began working as a freelance assistant stylist and slowly built-up contacts in the industry, then just under a year later I styled my first photoshoot for a magazine. I was delighted when the magazine chose one of the images from the shoot as their cover for the same issue.” After that, Selina started to receive more commissions and pitched the idea for her first interiors book. She’s gone on to produce 11 best-selling books, compiling and writing her own monthly column for Modern Gardens Magazine, styling creative installations at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and continuing to style photoshoots and events for brands and magazines, such as Burleigh.
Inspiration: Choosing Colours, Props & Flowers
Selina loves working to a colour theme; one of her strengths is putting together colour combinations, so she often starts with colours and designs a styling concept around the hues and tones. “I like to use seasonal flowers where possible and especially those grown in the UK. I source flowers from a local florist but I also forage for wild flowers like cow parsley and grow my own cottage garden style flowers in my garden. I like to find different accessories to use from independent makers and designers as well as sourcing vintage pieces from fairs.”
Spring Summer Trends
We asked Selina which trends she's loving for Spring Summer 2024. “I always love florals for Spring and Summer. This year my favourite floral trends are bloomcore and freehand painting. I’m also into bold circus stripes, ruffles, heritage style and eclectic country style.”
Tablescapes: Where To Start
Start by working with what you have, ceramics make brilliant styling props, use a favourite mug as a vase for spring flowers or place small glass bud vases with little single stem flowers placed in each arranged on a plate for an interesting table centrepiece. Decorative bowls make lovely planters for spring bulbs, add moss or straw to the top to hide the soil and keep the moisture in.
Best Thing About Spring
"I love how the garden comes to life again and how spectacular blossom season is. Celebrating Easter with my family is a treat, of course I love to style the table for our Easter Lunch. I use spring flowers, gingham linen napkins and my favourite Burleigh pieces to create a special table. This year will be our daughter Felicity’s first Easter so it’s going to be even more special."
On our recent photoshoot, Selina made a beautiful Easter wreath by attaching dried hay or straw onto a moss wreath base using wire or string, then decorating it with Spring flowers using what she had in abundance in the garden. "There's plenty of blossom at the moment to use but it doesn’t last long so I combine it with some dried heather and fresh ivy. Sometimes I attached little faux birds nest with eggs and a silk ribbon bow for a pretty finishing touch."
Sustainability Top Tips
"Invest in new pieces that will stand the test of time as well as buying second-hand. Make the most of what the season has to offer in terms of using locally grown fresh flowers and food. My book Natural Living Style has lots of ideas for styling and decorative with sustainability in mind."
Favourite Burleigh Pottery Collection
"It’s very difficult to say. How can I choose my favourite Burleigh pattern? I actually like to mix and match pieces from different ranges. I love the classic designs and the heritage behind the designs also. I’m currently collecting pieces from The Felicity range for our daughter. I also love the Burleigh collaborations like their range with Soho house a few years ago and the one with Ralph Lauren. On my table for Easter will be Green Asiatic Pheasants and Green Regal Peacock."
The latest book by Selina Lake is available now; Heritage Style, published by Ryland Peters & Small.
Head over to Instagram to give Stylist, Author and Columnist @selinalake a follow, for more inspiration.
Image credits: Stylist: Selina Lake | Photographer: Jake Seal | Photography Assistant & Videographer: Nel Forth.
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