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Because meets Fiona Leahy
Ahead of the launch of her eponymous tablescaping brand, we caught up with Fiona Leahy, the events designer with a truly magic touch
Because meets | Dec 10, 2024
Tables are more than just pieces of furniture. They are areas to gather around, to laugh, to cry, to share food or stories. For event designer Fiona Leahy, tabletops become installations with an artistic touch, and a magical conveyer of conversations. She invented the “tablescape” and inserted it into our lexicon, raising the bar for any dinner party.
While many will simply observe an empty table as a piece of furniture, event designer and creative director Fiona Leahy sees a stage, a blank canvas and as her 20 year career attests, a world of intricate possibilities. Bestowing her magical touch across tabletops for the likes of Chanel, Dior, and The Row (the list goes on!) Fiona interprets brand visions down to the napkins and crockery of their dinner events. With a fine tuned understanding of the intimacy fostered by gathering around a candlelit table and sharing food, drink and stories, it’s no wonder that her practice has cemented her not only a designer but in many ways, a curator of atmospheres. After accumulating a truly impressive resume working alongside some of luxury’s top brands, this month Fiona finally launches her eponymous brand and “online emporium” offering an anthology of pieces with the aim of introducing the eclectic art of tablescaping to a wider audience.
Attending to all tastes, Fiona’s new collections have been crafted for layering, mixing and colour blocking, nurturing the same imaginative spirit that Fiona embodies (we want her hair!). Ahead of today’s website launch, we caught up with Fiona to chat about her inaugural collection and if we’re lucky, maybe our Christmas tables will be a tad more inspired this year…
This launch has been a long time coming! Why'd you make us wait so long?!
Because I’ve been working in the world of events for so long, and frankly, putting other people’s projects before my own always took priority ! I finally pressed pause on events in February of this year so I could focus on the shop. I then became immersed in designing my own product and like all good things these take time!
You are the OG and mistress of the tablescape – and you must have done thousands at this point – what still gets you excited about creating the perfect tablescape?
What excites me the most is when I get to indulge in my current obsessions. These can vary from pastillage to a certain variety of flower or a shade of linen.
I like pairing the unexpected and what I love most about creating the perfect tablescape is that it gets me into the perfect flow state Tablescaping as a form of meditation, yes it’s true!
You are also the best magpie, finding delight and joy in objects for our home and tables that we would never have thought of, or putting things together we never could have known. What makes something magical to you?
For me, it’s all about the story behind what makes something beautiful. I adore objects that have been carefully created—whether it’s a hand-embroidered tablecloth or a hand blown glass object. I’m intrigued by the time and effort that goes into these pieces. When buying a crafted piece you are not only buying that piece you are buying the most important commodity their time and energy.
Can you tell us a story behind one of the finds that you’ll be selling on the webshop that you think everyone should have?
One of my favourite pieces is something that came from flying around the world for my events. I was often looking for ways to create the perfect lighting for events that were outdoors or couldn’t have naked flame. I needed a glass hurricane to protect the candlelight, but they weren’t easy to find. So I sourced them and used hundreds for events often selling them to private clients. These are a staple piece but I wanted to elevate the design. I decided to tint the glass in shades of honey, rose, and pearl. These are my absolute must have. A tabletop Perennial!
Are you making bespoke things, or selling mostly found things?
All of the above! I’m launching with in house designed collections, from linens and candles to glassware. I also will be selling heirloom which is vintage and antique pieces from my sourcing obsession. We are also selling bespoke items from an atelier collection. Table linens and napkins that are my design favourites and we have placed in an archive collection pieces such as pleated table linens and embroidered napkins will be made bespoke for customers
How often will you add collections or finds to the webshop?
I’m planning to become something of a ‘colour library’ for linens. I’ve been heavily influenced by the British Colour Standard Book, and I’m starting with 12 signature colours. Over time, I’ll be adding more—bringing in new shades and creating a rich palette for every occasion. I also have digital drops planned throughout the year. These will be fun releases where I share some of my latest vintage finds, as well as new products. I have a Philumeny collection “ based on my love of matchboxes . These will be coming in 2025
What makes a host stand out for you?
For me, it’s all about ease, charm, and thoughtfulness. A great host is someone who anticipates the needs of others and who buys ALL their tabletop from FIONALEAHY.COM ;)
Be the best host you can be and shop the collection here!
