Setting The Table with Maria de la Orden
For Mother’s Day, Spanish Paris-based designer Maria de la Orden invites us into her world of joyful hosting, where antique linens, collected plates, seasonal flowers and family traditions come together around the table. From long Spanish lunches to cherished pieces passed down through generations, she shares how motherhood has made her hosting style more instinctive, warm and deeply personal.
When you’re hosting, do you tend to think first about the table or the menu?
When I host at home, I always think about the table first. For me, it really sets the mood, it’s where everything begins.
Do you like to use matching tableware, or do you prefer to mix and match?
I always prefer to mix and match. I love combining different plates, linens, and glasses. It makes the table feel more personal, more alive, and less rigid. I love using my great-grandmother’s antique tablecloths and pairing them with hand-painted glasses, vintage plates, and raffia baskets.
Are there particular plates, glasses, or linens you always come back to?
There are definitely pieces I always come back to: beautiful linens, delicate glasses, and plates collected over time. I love them because each one tells a story and brings a sense of continuity to the table. I’m especially fond of my antique “Compagnie des Indes” plates, which I collect, they’re incredibly delicate and beautiful. I also adore Cabana tablecloths which prints are so beautiful and unique; I have quite a few and use them all the time. And the Los Vasos de Agua Clara glasses are so special.
Are their objects or personal items you like to include on your tables?
I also love adding personal objects, little things collected from travels or passed down in the family. They make the table feel intimate and unique.
How has becoming a mother influenced the way you host and set the table?
Becoming a mother has made everything feel more relaxed and instinctive. I care less about perfection and more about creating a warm, joyful atmosphere where everyone feels at ease.
Are there any traditions you’re starting (or continuing) with your children around the table?
I think I’m naturally continuing the traditions I grew up with: long lunches, beautiful tables, and taking time to be together. It’s something I really want my children to grow up with too.
What are your go-to recipes when hosting friends & family? Are there dishes you love preparing specifically for your children?
In summer, I always serve gazpacho as a starter for lunch: it’s such a Spanish tradition, and I absolutely love it. I love preparing simple dishes for my children that we can all share, things that feel comforting and familiar, the kind of meals that naturally become part of family life. My children are very Spanish at heart, so they absolutely love croquetas and jamón, which I find quite funny!
What role do flowers play on your table, and how do you like to arrange them? What are your favourite flowers when hosting?
Flowers are essential for me. I adore them. I love simple, natural arrangements, nothing too structured. My favourites are hyacinths, narcissus, and lilac; they bring such a fresh feeling to the table.
When it comes to music, do you create playlists or have a go-to album?
I usually go for something easy, often the same albums I love, nothing too thought-out, just something that flows naturally in the background. I have a few Spotify playlists, one for lunch and one for dinner, and I tend to gravitate towards Sade, jazz, and Italian oldies.
What would your ideal Mother’s Day table at home look like—from the setting to the food?
My ideal Mother’s Day table would be simple but very beautiful: lots of flowers, a light, fresh menu, and my family around me. That’s really all I need.
Do your children get involved in setting the table or hosting in any way?
Cosima loves helping to set the table, which I find so special. It becomes a moment we share, and I hope it creates lovely memories for her.
Three words to describe your hosting style?
Three words to describe my hosting style: effortless, warm, and personal.
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