Born in Istanbul, Zekiye Cingillioglu has always had a Discerning eye for design in all its forms. As an avid collector of art, her associated passions include both interior design and the decoration of wonderful tables. Zekiye and her husband have two children and live in Monaco.

Assuredly, the art of table design is one of the decorative arts – as important in its own way as any other area of interior decoration.  You need thought, care and above all,  style and imagination. A beautifully designed table also shows an understanding of the basic principles of hospitality – an innate generosity and, above all, a desire to make those who join you feel welcome in your home.  

Decorating a table is, in many ways, like staging a small theatrical production – each one an original performance to amuse and engage the audience on each occasion. And it’s fun to do – unlike, say,  trying to re-arrange  the furniture on a daily basis, you can rearrange the table as often as you please and bring  both you and your guests great pleasure in so doing. 

Zekiye Cingillioglu knows this well. As a seasoned, expert practitioner in table art,  she understands  that every table she creates should be unique, every one telling a story This is no new passion: as a  very young  child she would  clamour to decorate the table when guests were expected. ‘ I wasn’t interested in toys; I wanted to bring branches, twigs, leaves in from the garden, as well as  everyday objects in the house to decorate the table. My mother was not amused, saying these were not proper tables, but my father encouraged me, was proud of me, telling our guests that the table was my creation; and when we went to friends’ houses he would let me watch and observe allowing me to make my own judgments on the tables and settings I saw.’

As Zekiye grew, so did her passion, and when, as a teenager at  finishing school, she  learned how to set a conventional, formal table, this ability – to design a traditional table setting – became a base from which she could later  create her own unique designs, not only for lunch or dinner, but any gathering that comes together round the table. 

‘My inspirations come from so many sources  – sometimes from the food that is going to be served, sometimes from what is around me.  I might say let’s do something green for example, or think of a design that celebrates a season or a day, but the main thing is that every time,  I create anew – every table is different;  I never want to do the same thing twice – it must be free and it must be spontaneous.