Stylist’s Corner

paula walters

Moss as Muse

Prop styling brings a table to life, setting the mood for the meal ahead. Paula Walters, a professional stylist for more than 20 years, was given only one cue for this place setting: spring moss.

To capture the rich and varied green tones of moss without using the actual plant, Paula chose cruciferous vegetables that have similar visual appeal. The vintage and Asian props evoke a Zen garden, where moss commonly grows in quiet, shaded spaces. To recreate this for your table, group similarly colored bowls of varying heights and diameters, fill them with water and a base of clean stones, then add rich, cruciferous vegetables. The beauty is in the fresh simplicity.