Customer Spotlight: Where Creativity, Thoughtful Hosting, and the Dining Table Come Together

Some people style spaces.

Others create experiences.

At The Yard House, we believe inspiration doesn’t only come from perfectly styled shoots - it comes from real homes, real people, and lived-in spaces. This customer spotlight series is our way of celebrating the creativity our community brings to everyday living.

In this customer spotlight, we’re featuring Raina, (@an.ode.to.life)  whose thoughtfully styled dining tables reflect her love for colour, nature, and meaningful hosting. Through this conversation, she shares her journey, inspirations, and the simple philosophies that guide her table styling. 

TYH: Walk us through your journey of discovering that you loved creating beautiful spaces around you.

Raina: It’s innate, in childhood, I used to observe my dad make beautiful homes,it involved interior designing and architecture both. I have grown up seeing this, slowly I started assisting him in those design making processes when I was a bit older. I have always been involved in creative undertakings. I was drawn to photography and lots of art and paintings and different techniques I learned though many of my classes in childhood. I think that started getting evolved as I matured, and saw the world! Creativity came naturally in later years, my diploma in fashion and overall interest in beautiful things/ places kept getting an internal inspiration to carry forward and transform it into spaces, things I saw around me! Travel and keen observation also created this craving for trying to recreate such beauty in different forms!  

TYH: What motivates your passion for home decor?

Raina: Constant exposure to beautiful places, homes, hotels, even social media accounts, seeing different approaches to design philosophy and making it to suit one’s own taste. There is inspiration everywhere! 

TYH: The dining table seems to be your canvas for creativity - why this space, why not the bedroom or any other space?

Raina: Because I truly believe a dining table is a place that can invite and make things extra special not just for you to enjoy but for the friends and family you host too, where food and conversations go an extra mile because your table setting gives that extra edge and celebrates the people you share joy with! The happiness is doubled when your guests feel appreciated. 

TYH: How do you design a corner or set up a table? What’s your process? 

Raina: My inspiration comes from nature, color combinations I see in different things, textures, patterns, sometimes it’s one single flower that inspires me for choosing certain colors for the table. Oftentimes, it’s also driven by seasons and occasions. Once I have figured out the colors I want to use, I let the moment decide intuitively how that table comes along, a lot of these ideas are also constantly revolving in my head, I visualize it first in my head and then try to recreate that on table. 

TYH: What are the must-haves while setting up a table? 

Raina: Fresh flowers always,they instantly elevate the table, they are fragrant, real, and spreads positivity and draws instant attention. Another must for me is sticking to just 2-3 colors at a time- one of them is always neutral. I also do not mix too many textures and patterns because I personally feel overwhelmed by them. So my tables are minimal, functional and practical because the main purpose is to eat on the table: so there should be enough space for the person to sit comfortably and for the food to be placed. 

TYH: What are your preferred colour palettes, print styles, and materials for your table/ tableware and table linen? 

Raina: I work with all colors, mediums and different patterns: block prints & linens are my favorite! My table cloths, napkins and runners are always either cotton or linen because they drape so well and give a natural, luxurious look to the table. 

TYH: How do you mix and match these, considering one might have a limited collection at home?

Raina: I mix and match every single time. I repeat the pieces I have so frequently because practically it is impossible to have everything new for every single table. The reason it gives the illusion of something new each time is because of the way, I color-combine different elements. The candles, fresh flowers and linens gives a different look to each table even if crockery is repeated several times. Having said that, I do have great storage options in my current home, and I have spaces to include all the dinnerware sets, linens, placemats, vases, cutlery, candles, candle holders etc throughout the home.

TYH: How do you style your table when not in use for meal time or entertaining?

Raina: I use it for work, my son uses it as his study table, so there is usually nothing else on the table than placemats, and a small tray with tissues, salt, sugar and coasters. No decorative objects on the table otherwise. 

TYH: What’s one styling trick/signature move you’ve learned over time that you wish more people knew, and one others recognize as your own touch?

Raina: Definitely the color combination- keeping the colors to just 2-3, and including simple fresh flowers that don’t cost a bomb over fake ones! It is possible to style a great table without having to spend much! A lot of things you already  own can be handy- for example a duppata(if not very expensive) can work as a runner, your mugs and glasses can be used as bud vases or candle holders.

TYH: What's your fondest memory around the dining table?

Raina: The annual tea-party I host every year around Mother’s Day. It’s a great way for me to pamper my friend-moms and create a memorable experience for them. 

TYH: How has your experience been with The Yard House?

Raina: Fantastic, I love your prints, colors and the fact that these tablecloths(the ones I have tried) are just wipe and clean. They also make a great gift! You guys have such pretty pieces. 

Raina’s approach to styling is a beautiful reminder that a dining table is more than just furniture - it is a place where memories are made, conversations unfold, and people feel welcomed. Her love for colour, nature, and mindful simplicity echoes everything we believe in at The Yard House: that everyday spaces can be both functional and full of soul. Through fresh flowers, thoughtful colour choices, and pieces that are meant to be used and loved, she shows us that hosting doesn’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful - it just has to be honest, warm, and from the heart.

Through our Customer Spotlight series, we hope to celebrate real homes, real stories, and real creativity - inspiring others to experiment, host, and make everyday moments feel special. If you’d like for us to connect with someone who you’d like to see featured here, write to support@theyardhouse.in, with the subject “customer spotlight” and we will be thrilled to connect.