We try out a home styling masterclass!

Would you like your dining table settings to be a little more “finished”? Are your coffee tables looking messy or bland? If you’re having people round for a meal, it’s nice to make it memorable – and perhaps with a little bit of “wow”. How about taking a home styling masterclass?

Caroline Chin Geyler of Arete Culture thinks it’s really important to take a moment to make a dining setting special – and she makes it look so easy! To help you, the brand’s newest creative endeavour, Magical Moments by Arete, has started hosting home styling masterclasses. A few of us went along recently to try one out.

We had great fun (as you’ll see from our comments further on), but it also made us all realise that styling needn’t be that complicated. Caroline showed us how to choose a few key pieces, then change things up each time with fresh flowers and accessories. We also each created a centrepiece, which gave us lots of ideas and confidence; it’s actually not that difficult! Mine looks great on my coffee table and outdoor dining table. I just update it with a few fresh leaves from time to time.

The workshops run for 2.5 hours. They’re a great way to learn some new skills with a group of friends or to meet new people.

About the masterclass

Caroline and Nirvi first go through the fundamentals of interior styling with a short slideshow. Then they demonstrate four different setups for styling your dining and coffee tables. They’ll also show you how a few affordable staples can be mixed with some fresh flowers or foliage to help you create a new look each time. Mixing some faux or dried pieces with fresh means that updating or switching it up doesn’t cost too much or take too much time. Here’s what the rest of the EL team thought!

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and think it would be a great class to do with a group of girlfriends. Caroline is really passionate about her field and was happy to share her knowledge and practical tips to ensure you get the most out of this home styling masterclass, from where to pick up inexpensive materials to how to incorporate existing objects you have lying around the house into styling. I learnt how to use different colours, patterns and textures to complement each other and how to easily create amazing table settings.”

Juliet

“I loved the practical ideas and inspiration. I’m buying a decorative box to house my ugly remote controls on the coffee table, and using my trays to show off collectibles I already own but don’t display well.”

Danielle

“Caroline from Arete Culture is one truly magical lady – she manages to sprinkle glamour into everything. I learnt a lot about how to put things together on your coffee table and dining table. The home styling workshop starts with some theory; I really appreciated it because it provides a set of rough rules on how to put things together; you also get a little booklet on how to style confidently, which is a handy tool to have. It will definitely spark your creative juices and make you want to entertain every weekend. (A warning to all husbands!)

Caroline said that the Magical Moments idea came to her during lockdown when we were all isolating at home and couldn’t see friends. What this workshop gave me was the chance to spend time with my beautiful colleagues, hear them laugh (even with masks on the whole time) and spend an amazing morning learning and creating something wonderful. It made us take time out of our schedule, and take time to be present and be with one another – my super team!”

Susan

“I loved this Magical Moments styling masterclass! It was lovely to see a coffee table display and table setting being created layer by layer. I had no idea table decorating was so much fun and could look so stunning!”

Jacqui

“I finally figured out how to style my coffee table like a pro through an artful mix of flowers, books, trays and other objects.”

Karin

What else?

The home styling masterclasses cost $385 per person. Along with a gorgeous vase, you get fresh flowers and candles to style your own centrepiece (worth $80 in total); you’ll also be able to take your creation home with you. The Arete team will guide as you create, and give you some constructive feedback. You also get $285 worth of shopping credits, which can be used to redeem products from Magical Moments by Arete. Don’t worry if you don’t think you’ll remember everything – you’ll get a take-home guide too!

Each class accommodates a minimum of four people and a maximum of 20.

Visit magicalmomentsbyarete.com for more information.

This article first appeared in the January 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!