Adding a healthy dose of creativity to mealtime

An image of an Easter table from the Swedish designer's book [Photo provided to China Daily]

"Walk out of your door to the garden or to the forest and pick up something for your table," she says.

For Chinese living in big cities, Lindeberg-Bernhardsson says the fresh vegetables and fruits in different colors in stores and markets can be the materials they use for table setting.

"You don't need to spend much on your table. Buy vegetables and fruits when you buy food and take them home. Then, you can use things at hand to set a beautiful table."

However, Lindeberg-Bernhardsson says she hasn't seen designer table settings in the restaurants she visited in Beijing.

Zeng, who has just published her second book on table setting, titled Fine Little Day, agrees, saying: "It's still new, but it's on the rise. The situation in China is like what Sweden was 10 years ago when Lindeberg-Bernhardsson published her first book after noticing increasing interest in holding parties at home."

Zeng says two years ago when she launched her first book on table settings she received few responses from readers. But now she gets lots of reaction on social media.

Zeng admits the Chinese way of sharing a plate of food affects the way people here look at table settings. But, she says many Chinese have changed their way of eating, and now combine Asian and Western lifestyles.

"Many people now use ovens in China. It's popular to treat friends at home too."

Ma Yueyue, a 25-year-old housewife in Beijing, says she loves to set beautiful tables and enjoys seeing her son and husband marvel at her creativity. She spent 6,800 yuan ($1,045) on a one-day course taught by Lindeberg-Bernhardsson and Zeng.

"I want to guide my son to find beauty in life and enjoy it," says Ma, the mother of a two-year-old.

If you go

10 am-6 pm, Monday to Thursday, through May 22. Gallery All, 4 Jiuxianqiao Road, Chaoyang district, Beijing. (86)132-4082-1129.