The Art of Hosting with Tattie Rose
To step into Tattie Rose’s world is to enter into magic and wonder. Her Dorset-based design studio is responsible for creating some of the most fantastical floral arrangements featured at exclusive events all over the world. A botanical artist and set designer, Tattie herself is as creative and beguiling as her work. A mother of four who constantly has creatures at her feet (her and her husband Fred’s home is filled indoors and out with sausage dogs and their puppies, ponies, peacocks and all sorts else), hosting is something that happens day in and day out for her.
Here, she chats to Rebecca about how it’s all about feeling rather than form as we turned up to talk tables and eat cheese toasties at her kitchen table before she created two magical tables for her very fortunate friends and family.
What’s your single most favourite thing about hosting?
Having my best friends all around me. That and having an excuse to light loads of candles to make an atmosphere that just gets better with your favourite people added to it. We do that often, but I don’t think of it as hosting, rather having people around. I’m less about the fancy and more about people ever coming and ever going. I even light candles for the boy’s dinner so I probably host our children most. Even if they’re having fish fingers, on go the candles and out comes sea shanty after sea shanty with all of us singing.
Name the one thing you notice and appreciate most when being hosted by someone else?
Something I don’t have: comfortable chairs. The sort you could sit in all night and talk in until the early hours. Our cottage is too tiny and chairs like that take up too much room. We still manage to sit at our bench until the wine’s all gone and the candles are all drippy but the best is doing all of that in proper comfort.
Perfect crockery or perfect table linens: if you could only have one which would it be?
Table linen I’d say, because you make a feeling with a piece of fabric straight away. It provides you with your colour scheme and then you can keep adding bits. I don’t have much space for crockery but I have loads of cloths, napkins and old suzanis covered in red wine. The moment any of those are out the tone is set.
Insider Scoop: what’s your number one spot for supper?
Dorshi in Bridport. It’s a really exciting one for Dorset: a great vibe, amazing food and all nice and relaxed.
Dish the dirt, who’s the best person who has ever hosted you?
Mum always makes such a special effort, even if it’s just me and her having lunch on a Tuesday. But then there’s my friend Rebecca who creates the most amazing party settings, thinking through every moment. She hosted all of us for our daughter Hebe’s christening and used this amazing tablecloth with all insects and animals to fascinate the children with food considered for every person’s whims. It’s the thought that’s everything really. What it looks like doesn’t always matter.
You’re having friends over for supper, what’s your go-to dish and drink?
Ok so it’s a Friday night and I’m making Shakshuka eggs with flatbreads. My husband Fred will make his Old Fashioned and there will be gallons of red wine.
And what’s your ultimate host-with-the-most finishing touch?
Candles, always. Nothing creates atmosphere more in my eyes. If I’m working, I have one lit. I love them. I also like doing things like pretty flowers in guest bedrooms and a choc on the pillow – the boys do that bit so they get to have one too – can’t blame them.
Tattie Rose x Rebecca Udall: The Edit
Tattie’s quick-fire five picks straight from the Rebecca Udall collection.
Your go-to glass: Daphne, the wine glass, perfect with her long stem.
Pick a plate, any plate: The Celia in green because of their pleasing shape and pattern, and total timelessness.
Cutlery, take your pick: Bamboo, easy, so fun!
Your number one napkin: The Classic Linen in Tobacco; I love how the warm colours sit against our red brick wall.
Your tablecloth one and only: Same again please, I think I’d rather love them to match.
Shop Tattie's Edit
