^{Words by Allegra Salvadori}

Inspired by an English high-tea memory, Sandy Maaz transforms a simple celebration into a poetic scene of pastel florals, vintage china, and hand-made confections.

For interior stylist Sandy Maaz, every table begins with a feeling. This one was born from the desire to recreate the charm of a London high-tea moment she once shared with her daughter. “I wanted to bring that same atmosphere home,” she says, “but as a dinner setting instead—no tea, just that vintage, floral, shabby-chic mood.”

The result is a tablescape that feels like stepping into a dream garden: a world of flowing baby’s breath, pastel petals, and vintage porcelain. Rather than aiming for symmetry, Maaz embraced variety—each plate a different floral motif, every detail contributing to a sense of organic movement. “I didn’t want it to look staged,” she explains. “It had to feel alive, like a garden that keeps growing.”

The flowers take center stage, softening the setting and infusing it with romantic ease. Shades of blush pink are balanced by hints of teal, lavender, and pale yellow—tones that lend sophistication to an otherwise playful palette. “If it were up to her, everything would’ve been pink overload,” she laughs. “But pastel accents kept it elegant.”

Maaz’s signature touch lies in her desserts, designed as décor. Each piece—vintage-laced cakes, meringues, and French macarons—was hand-made to harmonize with the table’s hues. “They were my main decoration,” she says. “Just as beautiful as they were delicious.”

Beyond visual harmony, the designer-host insists that true beauty lies in emotion. “I think the secret is doing it with love and passion,” she says. “That’s what makes a table warm, not just polished. Creating tablescapes is so therapeutic for me—it’s a moment of joy, not just design.”

Through her poetic eye and intuitive balance of form, color, and feeling, Sandy Maaz reminds us that the art of hosting can be both personal and profound—where every flower, every plate, and every sweet becomes part of a living story.