Finnish stylist Sanna Länsivierto has a soft spot for creating seasonal festivities, and for this one, a fall garden is the backdrop. “In Finland, we are fortunate to have four distinct seasons. When the frost bites in wintertime, I’ll arrange a traditional Finnish skating event; in springtime, gatherings follow the gentle course of new growth; in summer, I make the most of all the dazzling greenery; and when fall arrives, I want to reflect on the incredible colors around me,” she says.
“The idea for a harvest celebration was sparked by the spectacle of yellow leaves in the garden. I also marveled at the dazzling color of beets freshly pulled from the ground and decided it was time for a party,” she says. “As a mother of two small children, I want to keep parties as a regular part of life without having to put too much effort into arrangements. Often the simpler, the more beautiful.”
With a backdrop of colorful leaves, Länsivierto sets a festive forest-themed table in the garden with a white table to create a serene canvas for fall colors. The serving trays, wooden discs sawed from tree trunks, hold the beet hummus with homemade crispbread and the beet, quinoa, and goat cheese salad.
“The color of beets injects vibrancy during the chilly time of year, not to mention all the health benefits they offer,” says Länsivierto. When evening comes, guests wrap up in warm blankets, lap up the dim night illuminated by candlelight, and revel in the natural glories of the harvest season.
Scenes from the Party
Harvest Celebration Recipes & Decorations
By Jonna Kivilahti | Photography by Krista Keltanen | Styling and Recipes by Sanna Länsivierto
This story originally appeared in Flower magazine’s Sept/Oct 2017 issue. Subscribe to the magazine or sign up for our free e-newsletter.