Earth Hour is around the corner, and that means we’ll be switching off the lights and firing up the candles to host a dinner in the dark. The idea is simple: conserve energy and raise awareness for the future of the planet by turning off non-essential electric lights for one hour between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on March 26th. It’s not every day that we get to host a cozy candlelit dinner to benefit a major global cause.

Thinking about hosting your own dinner in the dark but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

 

  

1. The beauty of beeswax.

Candles instantly bring luminosity and warmth into any space, and since Earth Hour is all about conserving energy (no electric lights allowed!), you’re going to have to load up on them—the more, the merrier, in fact. Tapers are a bit more traditional, while orbs give off a rustic feel. But hey, maybe eclecticism is your thing and you want to go for a combination of the two. Whatever style you settle on, opt for beeswax—not only is it 100% natural but it also smells incredible. As for the color, it depends on the mood you’re trying to evoke with your table display. Hot tip: natural honey-colored candles give off an earthy feel and pair beautifully alongside our Speckled White and Midnight Blue Dinnerware collections. We suggest checking out GreenTree Home for some stunning candle inspiration—their candles are all completely handmade, too!

 

 

2. Textiles set the stage.

There’s no tablescape without a tablecloth. Afterall, it is the canvas upon which every other element of your table display rests. That means, it needs to be just right. Our Belgian linen tablecloth arrives in Gray, making it subtle enough for the other elements on the table to remain the focal point—don’t worry, it won’t take away from the food, drink, or conversation. While the tablecloth might not be the center of attention, its power should not be underestimated. Ultimately, a table cloth is all about adding a pinch of understated elegance to a space. Have we convinced you of the importance of textiles at the dinner table yet? If we have, why not throw our matching linen napkins into the mix?

 

 

3. Enter: sustainable stoneware.

We can’t forget about the plates—how else will we serve (or eat) our food? Our stoneware collection is entirely sustainably crafted, which seems fitting considering we’re hosting a dinner that drives awareness towards a more sustainable future. The Dinnerware Set consists of 16 hand-finished pieces, meaning each is one-of-a-kind—it’s also bound to come in handy whenever another hosting opportunity arises. Think about layering plates and bowls on top of one another to add a sculptural, visually compelling dimension to your Earth Hour table display. And, if you’re thinking of finishing off your dinner the French way, use The Oval Serving Platter to display your favorite cheeses on—it’s a different way of doing dessert à la française.

 

 

4. Clink, clink—cheers!

Whatever your dinner drink of choice, you’ll need something to house your favorite liquid in. Our Japanese-crafted glassware serves this purpose well. Arriving in two different formats, The Tall Glasses are ideal for serving sparkling water in, while The Short Glasses are a fun option for natural wine. Using clear glassware for your table display this Earth Hour will have a particularly beautiful effect—the candlelight will reflect and refract through the glasses, filling your space up with more light. Sounds pretty mesmerizing, right? If you’d rather set the scene entirely in stoneware, The Cups are a beautiful option for water and wine alike.

 

 

5. Turn heads with a stunning centerpiece.

While a flower arrangement is the usual go-to when setting a tablescape, why not try something a little different with a DIY centerpiece? With spring literally right around the corner, head outside and gather a bunch of branches, twigs, and moss to create a sculptural, earthy focal point on your dinner table—not only will it be Earth Hour appropriate, but it’ll be fitting for spring, too!

 

6. Last but not least: look up.

It’s not everyday that the entire world participates in a lights-off event. Once dinner’s wrapped up, head outside and look up at the night sky. When’s the last time you were able to spot the Milky Way so clearly?