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So it’s a little premature to start planning picnics in Sheep Meadow, but if you’re itching for a frolic with nature, you can bring the outdoors in with a faux-spring shindig. Known for her unconventional bouquets and party decor, Brooklyn sculptor and floral designer Emily Thompson (emilythompsonflowers.com) shows us how to create a lush, inexpensive tablescape. (Yours, um, doesn't necessarily have to be this lush.)
According to Thompson, anyone can whip up their indoor picnic in just a few hours. You’ll need moss to simulate grass (about $30 for a 10lb box at U.S. Evergreen, 805 Sixth Ave between 27th and 28th Sts, 212-741-5300), and Thompson suggests placing the green stuff atop crumpled paper, bubble wrap or whatever you have handy to mimic verdant mounds. “I like my arrangements to feel alive and wild” she explains. But neat freaks be warned: Covering your table with vegetation can be a dirty job, so place a layer of plastic between your linens and the table.
To make your table bloom, Thompson adds potted daffodils and fragrant hyacinths ($4–$12 at Fischer & Page, 150 W 28th St between Sixth and Seventh Aves, 212-645-4106). The containers can easily be hidden in the moss—that way you can keep the plants after you’re done. “But I also love to make things that are a little sinister and look like they came out of a swamp,” says Thompson, who adds ferns ($5–$10 per bunch/about 10 stems at U.S. Evergreen) to round out the mix. If you lack a proper tablecloth, Thompson recommends improvising a table skirt with vintage aprons, or you can hang them on the wall as an artful clothesline (Reincarnate Custom & Vintage custom aprons, $50 and up, and vintage aprons, $25 and up, available at rebeccavicars.com).
Don’t want to cook? Thompson rings up West Village restaurant Tea & Sympathy for its Afternoon Tea Package, which includes finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, a selection of cakes and a pot of steaming tea ($20 feeds two people at Tea & Sympathy, 108 Greenwich Ave between 12th and 13th Sts, 212-989-9735). Classic food emporium Russ & Daughters (179 E Houston St between First Ave and Orchard St, 212-475-4880) also offers an excellent selection of already-prepared foods, including mini blini ($15 per package), Paddlefish caviar ($40 for 50g) and rugelach ($13 per lb).
Rachel
Thu, Apr 03, at 04:09pm
Hey ebinard - Tea and Sympathy has two different prices for their afternoon tea - an eat-in price (of $30 for one), and a take-out price ($20 for two) - since the article is talking about ordering for your picnic, that's why it lists the $20 price - sorry for any confusion!
Angela Alston
Mon, Mar 31, at 12:45am
Emily has taste for days. This is so beautiful. Plus it would look gorgeous with a little directional lighting. Yum.
Cathy Dwyer
Sun, Mar 30, at 06:29pm
Oh, Em, you are the best! Love the aprons! Love, Cath D.
Cathy Dwyer
Sun, Mar 30, at 06:25pm
Oh, Em, you are the best! Love the aprons! Love, Cath D.
ebinard
Thu, Mar 27, at 12:34pm
I just had lunch at tea and sympathy today, and their afternoon tea for one (and they don't allow sharing between 2!) costs $30...according to what you listed in your article this is the service you ordered, and your article says $20 feeds two at tea and sympathy! better check your prices again Time Out!
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