With Afternoon Tea Week upon us, Katie Thomas, founder of interior design company KTM Design has shared advice on how to create the perfect afternoon tea setting.

“Create a luxurious afternoon tea setting with 1920s art deco patterns, black and white bold geometric designs and brass accents with cutlery, decorative placements, and coasters. You can use a serving tray as a functional decoration, such as a centrepiece with a vase full of flowers. It’s all about transforming the ordinary into extraordinary, using alternative accessories and products – for example, an art deco-inspired leaf tea strainer instead of standard tea bags.

“For a more rustic atmosphere, use tactile textures to create patterns and include accessories like crackle glaze linen napkins and tablecloths. Follow a natural and neutral earthy colour palette, with white, beige and grey tones together with an accent colour like blue or pink. You can create a different take on the classic chinoiserie style by opting for watercolour and marble effects instead of a more traditional pattern. This creates a relaxing atmosphere, and you can make the table setting more formal with linen chair covers. Create contrast with glazed and unglazed, or ceramic and glass features, such as ceramic cups with a glass, transparent teapot.

“You can also follow a biophilic design and recreate a botanical garden for your afternoon tea setting. Use greens, whites and blacks as key colours, adding gold details such as on napkin rings for a luxury touch. Go for animal-inspired accessories, and bring in natural materials with ratan coasters and placemats. Bring in tropical plant-inspired tablecloth patterns, such as pineapples or palm trees, and accessorise chairs with decorative cushions. Create a more casual atmosphere by swapping black for natural wood.”