Laid Table, Lived Joy – A Journey of Style at Harrods

Rediscovering the beauty of the present

A silver spoon that seems to pause time in your hand. A freshly pressed, scented linen napkin that turns the simplest gesture into a ceremony. A porcelain plate with a softly painted rose motif – not boastful, but intimate. Almost a whisper.

And then, the light plays on the crystal glass. Its facets catch the afternoon sun, scattering rainbows across the walls, the table, your fingertips. You don’t need anything elaborate – a piece of bread, a glass of wine, a quiet moment – and suddenly, you are here. Present.

This isn’t just a table setting to eat from. It’s one to live in. Slower. More consciously. More beautifully.

Spring at Harrods – and the joy of the everyday well set

One sunny spring afternoon, I wandered into the home section of Harrods in London – and found myself swept into an immersive swirl of inspiration. Tablescapes, cutlery, crystal, porcelain – not displayed in sterile stillness, but brought to life in bold, playful or classically elegant interiors. Here, luxury is about presence. About joy in the now.

Garden mood, reimagined

The journey began in the outdoor-inspired section: Mediterranean warmth, intense colours, and naturalistic motifs.

Italian majolica, cabbage-leaf platters, woven rattan placemats, and sun-washed tones evoked long summer lunches. 

And then – a surprise: Bugatti cutlery. Pink and green acrylic handles with matching porcelain plates. Fresh, daring, and undeniably luxurious. If there’s such a thing as a Maserati watch, why not a Bugatti spoon?

Contemporary heritage

Next came the classics – the British icons: Royal Crown Derby and Waterford. The chinoiserie-inspired design of Royal Crown Derby felt surprisingly modern.

Waterford’s crystal, consistent as ever, sparkled in its quiet quality – even knowing it now comes from multiple smaller workshops. Wedgewood managed to surprise too, with pate-sur-pate pieces in cheerful colours and dinnerware echoing Art Deco geometry. Their heritage continues to evolve.

Legends on the table

The Royal Copenhagen blue fish motif became an instant favourite. Its fine lines and playful yet elegant detailing offered a fresh take on classic blue – even though the design dates back to 1978.

On the same table: Meissen and Moser. The Imari and Pope collections radiated ornamented beauty. Meissen’s iconic onion pattern always wins me over, but this time, it was the delicate rose plates that stole the scene – even the thorns are painted with poetic restraint.

French crystal enchantment

Then came the French crown jewels of any interior – Lalique and Baccarat.

Seeing Lalique furniture in person was a revelation. Their crystal inlays capture and reflect the surrounding light – turning a table, a lamp, a chair or vase into a harmonious whole. 

The same glass birds and blossoms appear on wallpaper, lamps, and vases – everything connects.

Baccarat speaks a different language: bold cuts, radiant brilliance, a dramatic presence. I was surprised to see how deeply they collaborate with contemporary artists – from Jaime Hayon’s playful sculptural heads to goblets once designed for Tsar Nicholas II. Two worlds, one art form: luxury that’s made to be used.

Rediscovering time – in silver

The silverware section also offered a quiet revelation: Christofle, and the reinvention of modern luxury. The warmth, the weight, the character of silver is unlike anything else. Yes, it’s more delicate – but with today’s care products, far less daunting than it seems. I speak from experience: Sidonies carries Ercuis silverware, and I can confidently say that a beautiful utensil is more than a tool – it’s tactile pleasure. You cut differently, plate differently, and above all: eat slower. This is how weekdays become moments worth celebrating.

Porcelain as a language of fashion

And finally – the designers. Hermès, Dior, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana. Each with its own porcelain line, distinct in identity yet aligned with classic production standards. Their pieces are form- and size-compatible with Meissen or Bernardaud. It’s Swiss-watch-level precision, applied to a tabletop. Style that’s unique, yet endlessly buildable.

A mineral finale –  Roche Bobois

One last look at the Roche Bobois collection: earthy mineral hues seemed to hum from every piece. Harrods’ home department wasn’t just a walk of inspiration – it was a quiet confirmation.

Today’s luxury isn’t a repetition of the past. It’s the mindful enjoyment of the present – through the objects we choose to surround ourselves with.

Because a beautifully chosen plate, glass or lamp isn’t the final detail in a home – it’s the beginning of everything.

Discover the brands featured at Sidonies: Ercuis, Raynaud, Lalique, Varga Art Crystal [Browse our catalougs here]