Welcome to Lea's world, where table settings and cups set the mood
Step into the favourite room of a handful of Nordal's friends and family, and get their best ideas for surrounding yourself with something new, something old and, above all, something personal.
My name is Lea, and first and foremost I'm a mum. I have four wonderful children with my husband Mikkel, whom I've been with for almost 19 years.
I'm also self-employed and wear many hats, but the one I'm proudest of is the one that says author. I've published three books: a creative DIY book, 'DIY med Lea', a wedding book and guide, 'Bryllupsplanlæggeren', and most recently my first novel, 'Hvem fanden er Alice'. I've always loved writing, and I've always been very creative and impulsive. Among my friends I'm known as the one who hosts lots of gatherings and invites far and wide. I can find a reason to invite guests in almost anything. I've even hosted a cake party because I'd bought new cups.
When I invite people for dinner, a birthday or something else entirely, I've always thought a lot about how the table and the whole presentation look. I put an enormous amount of energy into making things look inviting and delicious. I also care a lot about things going together. That's why I often use themes, which can be anything from children's birthdays with sport or cartoon characters to colour-themed Christmas dinners. I like there to be a common thread - I'm not good at being random.
Lea Hvidt Kessler is an author and content creator. She lives with her husband, the boxer Mikkel Kessler, and their four children in a country house they built themselves in Sengeløse.
Lea's tips for a personal table setting
Something homemade. Little things count too - like a place card or a bit of table decoration. You can make a napkin holder with a small bow and perhaps a flower from the roadside.
A small gift for guests to take home is also a lovely thing to have on the table.
I wish I had lots of heirlooms or things with stories that I could set the table with, but the truth is I don't own a single item in those categories. It would be so nice to put a dish on the table and think of my grandmother, but I don't have those memories in the form of things. On the other hand, I think my children will be showered with a bit of everything when they one day start their own homes. I really try to create traditions for us and our children, both on holidays and on ordinary days that just need to be a little extra. For example, I always set the table with cloth napkins, and I have them in several colours. That's actually something I spend quite a bit of money on: among other things, I have six different sets of tea and coffee cups, so I can set the table for a good deal more than a handful of guests. I think it's the varied look I like - that the table isn't always the same. But that pleasure also takes up a lot of space, so I try to keep myself on a short leash there.
ATELIER FORMA
"I love roomy cups. I drink a lot of tea, and there's something lovely about warming your hands on a big, fragrant cup. It's almost become a ritual for me: I especially love enjoying it in silence, so I like to sit somewhere secret or go for a little walk."
- Lea
4 tips for a great experience around a (well-set) table
Cloth napkins - for a slightly more luxurious, upgraded style. They're nice to use and give a sense of generous hospitality.
Flowers - always fresh flowers. They bring life, and they're beautiful.
A cosy or fun game - it could be charades or a little quiz. When you can bring the whole party together around one thing, I think it's a successful dinner.
Always use real tableware. I'm not keen on disposable tableware - even though it is practical - so even when we have big birthdays, I always try to use real tableware. I love big platters that make the food look lavish and inviting.
When I'm out, I always notice how the food is presented. I love it when it's served on big platters. Big, exciting salads in all the colours of the rainbow can look really beautiful. I also think edible flowers can make a real difference here - they can make a salad elegant, if you can call a salad that. It's the little details that do it for me: I see them and I appreciate them.