Style Journal
ALEXANDRA HOWARD
Interior Designer
What was your vision for the SFERRA tablescape at the Lenox Hill Gala?
My inspiration for the table was the budding of the trees, blossoming of the flowers, and the overall gentle awakening of spring. When selecting the palette for the event, I embraced the verdant essence of spring. The crisp tones of light green, pale blue, and lavender evoke the freshness of new growth grasses and the tender emergence of spring bulbs in the garden. As a designer and planner, SFERRA's Festival collection, with its 100 delightful hues to mix and match, is my ultimate choice for all things linen. Collaborating with SFERRA and showcasing their exquisite table linens in everyday settings is a dream realized.
"As a designer and planner, SFERRA's Festival collection, with its 100 delightful hues to mix and match, is my ultimate choice for all things linen."
– alexandra howard
Where do you typically begin when designing a table for an event—do you start with florals, color, linens, or an overall mood?
I like to draw a cohesive line from invitation to event theme to the party's purpose. To me, creativity sparks when I alight on a singular element (color, vase, etc.) that sets the tone and mood.
What are the key elements that make a spring tablescape feel fresh, inviting, and elevated?
Crisp linens, light-catching objects, and fresh, seasonal flowers.
Where do you find inspiration—whether for interiors or tablescapes?
Everywhere. Art, travel, books, museums and galleries, antiquing, but especially mother nature.
What’s one design rule you always follow—and one you love to break?
Steam the linens before the guests arrive. I don’t believe in any hard and fast rules. When things flow, they work.
What role does entertainment and lifestyle play in your work as a designer?
You have to be a filter for the clients' vision and ultimately for the guests' experience. The work is translating a clients' desires into an visual wonderland and ensuring that the lived experience exceeds expectations in both form and function.
