As founder and editor-in-chief of Gritty Pretty, Australia’s first interactive online beauty magazine, Eleanor Pendleton is one of the country’s most respected arbiters of taste and style. When it comes to entertaining, she has some strong personal preferences and trend predictions for 2022. “I’m really into organic ceramics in whites, creams and greys or soft, muted pastels,” Pendleton says. “For napery, I always lean towards natural fabrics, such as heavy cotton or French linen, for that authentic cafe feel. I like earthy, rustic colours — oatmeal, sage or turmeric — to add texture and warmth.”

After the events of the past year, Pendleton believes there’s a growing desire to let loose and be bold. “I’ve noticed a move to brighter colours in glassware — simple, classic shapes in deep oranges and soft yellows and greens. I like to play with these ideas and incorporate them into my own personal style,” she says. “And of course, then there’s the quality of the food and produce. Good cafes and restaurants are cooking with fresh, sustainably sourced ingredients. That’s what I love to do. I like sharing everything from the entrees to the desserts, even the coffee. I’m loving pour-over coffee, which is becoming a bit of a trend. And it’s so easy to emulate that experience at home with Nespresso’s Vertuo Next Carafe.”

True style is also something that goes beyond the latest trends, according to Pendleton. “For me, it’s all about elegance,” she says. “It’s restrained, it’s curated, it’s refined. Style is being confident in the choices you make. It’s knowing who you are. It’s the love and care you bring to every little thing you do.”