Woolworths_Taste__January_2019

36 TASTE JAN/FEB 2019

Heike Haywardknows
athingortwoaboutromance,afterall,
her floral design business, Fleur le Cordeur
is one of South Africa’s most sought after
weddingflorists.Caseinpoint:when
we interviewed her for this month’s table
feature, she was working on no fewer than
sixweddings–inasingleweek.
Yet, amid the craziness of summer
weddingseason,Heikestillgetsexcited
at the prospect of setting a romantic table
forValentine’sDay–whichiswhatshe’s
doneforTASTEthismonth,usinganarray
of gorgeous blooms from Woolworths.

“Peopleliketogoout

onValentine’sDay,Iknow,

butwhywouldyouwantto

go to a restaurant when you

can set a beautiful table

in your own home? With

all the delicious food and

produce available today,

Ifinditsorewardingtoset

your own table – it also feels

like a much more authentic

experience as opposed to

thecommercialexercise

that Valentine’s Day can

sometimesbe.Thisway,

youcanusetheeventto

reinforce the relationship

betweenyouandyour

partner – and that’s

worthcelebrating.”

So,howshouldyouset

your Valentine’s Day table

for optimal romance?

Heike has a few pointers.

Pickatheme

“I love indigenous flowers,

especially Cape fynbos,” she

says.“Butlocally,people

sometimes perceive them

asabit‘oldschool’because

ofthewaywe’reusedto

arranging them.” For this

table setting, she combined

them with “super modern” flowers in rich

colours. “I really enjoy the challenge of

combining unexpected elements. Here

you’ve got the ‘old-school’ elements of

theproteasandthefynbos,combined

withtheorchid,whichismodernandbold,

andthenyou’vegot lots of roses to bring

it all together.”

Master the basics

Consider your colour scheme and the

physical components of the table. “For

thissetting,youcouldgrouplotsofsmall

to medium vases together, or push the

flowers directly into green oasis foam.

As long as the flowers are in water, they

should keep for a few days in a cool room.”

Intermsofcolours,Heikeisallformixing

things up. “For this setting I was really keen

onusingblackaccentsinthecrockery.

Valentine’sDaycanoftencomeacrossas

quitecheesy–butafewblackelements

can immediately elevate your table.”

Aim for abundance

Heikebelievesthatworkingwithwhat

youlovealwaysyieldsthebestresults.

Shelovesfood,soshelikesto“loadthe

tablewithfood,andflowers,ofcourse”.

“I like to present the food as part of the

arrangement,"shesaysofheractualmenu,

“something like informal platters of tapas.

Throwinanicebottleofwine,some

candlelight and your loved one, and

you’ve got everything you need for an

inviting table, and a romantic night.”

Heike Hayward, @fleurlecordeur. Look out for Heike’s

gift shop, Fleur le Cordeur, which will open in De Wet

Square in Stellenbosch in January.

PHOTOGRAPHS

TASHA SECCOMBE

TEXT

JEANNE CALITZ

GET THE LOOK

Fortheflorals,combineavarietyof

Woolworths orchids (from R149.99)

with seasonal fynbos. The roses are:

Rose&Snapbouquet(R120),speciality

roses in Sorbet Avalanche and Ace Pink

(fromR109.99for10stems).Thecrockery

includesCountry Road’s Tapas dinner

plates(infadedpink,palegreyormatt

black,R448.99for4)andCountryRoad’s

Tapassideplates(infadedpink,palegrey

or matt black, R399 for 4). The cutlery is

Country Road’s Nolan Graphite 16-piece

cutleryset(R1399).TheglassesareDavid

Jones’ Premium Collection Ella whisky

tumbler (R180) and Studio.W crystal wine

glass (R250 for 4). Napery: Holestitch

cotton tablecloth in white (R499.99) and

cotton chambray napkins (R140 for 6).

TABLE TALK

Hearts and flowers

Withthemonthofloveonourdoorstep,weddingfloristextraordinaireHeikeHaywardshares

her ideas for a memorable Valentine’s table that’s both dramatic and deeply personal

Pretty in pink: carry the theme

forward with handmade pink pillar

candles (R79.95) and Himalayan salt.