Designer, style muse, maximalist and hostess of fabulous fêtes, Alice Naylor-Leyland has perfected the art of the tablescape with her whimsical homewares brand, Mrs. Alice. For the launch of her latest collection, Naylor-Leyland partnered with the Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection in Greece to create a variety of eye-catching tabletop accessories inspired by the colors, sights and seaside charm of Santorini. Also acting as the backdrop for this latest collection, Grace Hotel has introduced a series of exclusive Mrs. Alice-worthy private dining experiences across picturesque locations within the cliff-top retreat.
What elements of Auberge’s Grace Hotel inspired your new tablescapes?
I took inspiration from the classic whitewashed abodes, the eternal blue sea and sapphire-colored skies – all of which are synonymous with Santorini. – all of which are synonymous with Santorini. The Grace Tablescape will transport you to the Grace Hotel and candle-lit seaside dinners on the terrace. It’s a beautiful color story that is quintessentially Greek—rich blue linens, crisp white details and, of course, rattan. You can also see pops of the resort’s yellow pool towels in the Apollo Tablescape with its bright lemon yellows and blue hues to capture the joyful colors of the Mediterranean. On the more neutral spectrum, the Aphrodite Tablescape features a tan and white color palette, enhanced with seagrass and natural details inspired by the beautiful beaches on the coast of Greece.
Tell us about the Mrs. Alice culinary experiences now available at Grace Hotel.
We wanted to develop luxurious, picture-perfect dining experiences with Grace Hotel. One of the dinners we created features a Mrs. Alice tablescape overlooking the famous infinity pool. When we first dined there, the sun was setting and the sailboats were slowly gliding past the caldera backdrop. This has to be one of the most spectacular settings in the world. I can see why people fly from across the globe to come here.
We also introduced a Mrs. Alice-curated picnic set for two overlooking the Aegean Sea. It’s quite magical. Santorini is where my husband, Tom, and I got engaged, so I wanted to infuse seaside romance and the pursuit of love in this experience and throughout the new collection.
What are some can’t-miss experiences while visiting Grace Hotel?
There’s a hike up the mountain opposite the hotel that will take you to the medieval fortress, Skaros. You clamber over these very dramatic rocks and when you get to the peak you have this sublime perspective of the hotel with its perfect white villas overlooking the sea. We also took a private boat cruise across the caldera to the hot springs on Palia Kameni. There was a slight smell of sulfur, but overall, it was a really fun experience that I’d recommend.
Do you have any packing tips for guests traveling to the Grace Hotel?
I have to admit that I never pack light. I love clothes and I want to have options. For Santorini, I packed caftans, Erdem dresses, Greek sandals, my Ray-Ban sunglasses and a denim jacket to throw on when it cools down at night.
What are your tablescape must-dos to create memorable gatherings at home?
Always start with the middle of the table. Fresh flowers are fabulous and essential to use. When placing candleware in the center of a table, it’s nice to add height with a mix of candlestick lengths. Once the centerpiece is measured out, you’ll know how much extra space you have for linens, plates, and cutlery.
For linens, if you choose a patterned tablecloth, perhaps go with a solid color placemat, or vice versa. Make sure your napkins complement your placemats. For crockery and cutlery, I prefer our classic bamboo style, or if you want to go a bit darker, we have a beautiful burnt bamboo shade. From there, it’s all about honing in on details, like adding a rattan napkin holder, or tying a bow. These are the thoughtful touches that really make a table special.