We Meet Style Icon, Businesswoman and Queen of the Tablescape, Alice Naylor-Leyland

If you’ve followed her for a while you’ll remember her enviable Instagram page ‘Alice In Her Palace’, best known for pastel-hued gowns, society parties and taste-making interiors. Alice Naylor-Leyland turned that impeccable style and way with a tablescape into a booming brand, Mrs Alice, bringing beautiful linens, glasswares and ready-made dinner party styling options to the market.
We met up with the businesswoman and mother of three to find out how she evolved her signature ladylike style, what’s on her 2022 wishlist and what the ingredients are for hosting the perfect dinner party…
Congratulations on the success of Mrs Alice the brand. Tell us about how it came about and how you’ve grown it over the last two years?
Thank you so much! It all feels a bit surreal. Tablescaping is actually something I’ve done all my life, it’s my passion and something I’ve always loved to do at home. Having learnt it from my mother Serena at a young age, it seemed natural to offer it as a business too.
After a weekend at home and some encouragement from friends, I scrambled together the components and launched two months later in November 2019. The response since has been overwhelming.
Since then we’ve created collections of tableware, linens, crockery, etc, for all seasons. Done photo shoots in some really beautiful country locations and even hosted an event with celebrated stylist Elizabeth Saltzman in the Hamptons. The growth has been pretty exciting and while it’s made our lives quite a bit busier (with the occasional rollercoaster), it’s also been thrilling. I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Are there any rules you follow to create the perfect tablescape?
I wouldn’t say there are rules per se as everyone has a different style, but I do always start with a good tablecloth and then add layers. Linens are particularly important to add a pop and I always use fresh flowers if possible. That’s the real secret.
A combination of plate styles is something I like playing with and I adore adding little touches of fun too – light hearted decorations, little animals and so on. One of the things I always try and do when hosting is to make my guests feel relaxed, so while I think a table should be chic and elegant, it shouldn’t be overwhelming either.
One of the things I always try and do when hosting is to make my guests feel relaxed, so while I think a table should be chic and elegant, it shouldn’t be overwhelming either.
What was your first fashion memory?
Well this is embarrassing but it was possibly when I was sixish and I was sent home from school for wearing my mother’s high heels and a hand bag I had taken from her room. I adored dressing up in her clothes and I’m sure that’s where a lot of my love for fashion comes from.
I also studied at the Instituto di Marangoni in London after university which was exciting and opened my eyes to new designers across the world.
How would you describe your style?
For the day I tend to go with basics. Black jeans and Doc Martens are my go-to, while at night I like to dress it up. I would say classic with a twist and always keeping it fun.
I am attracted to bright colours and patterns and try to pull these out where I can. I also admit that although I work hard, sometimes I don’t make it out of my dressing gown. I love dressing gowns – my husband says I’m either in my pyjamas or a ballgown!
Do you have any pieces in your wardrobe you’ll keep to hand down to your daughter?
My daughter Nancy is six, so she’s got a little way to go before wearing my things. Although inevitably she might be appalled by her Mother’s old things – we’ll have to see.
I suppose I’d love to hand over to her my Manolo Blahnik wedding shoes which were very much inspired by the pair Carrie wears in Sex And The City and the end of the day I would love nothing more than for her to have it all.
How do you balance running a business and motherhood?
With great difficulty! No I am kidding, of course it is hard but I have an amazing support system which I am beyond grateful for. I try to always compartmentalise my time. When I am with my kids, I’m with my kids and when I am working, I am working.
I try to take them to school and be home in time for tea and bathtime. Then on weekends we will do fun activities together. I may peek at my emails from time to time, but generally my attention is on them. I think that time is really important.
What do you do to relax?
If you asked my mother she would probably say I don’t know how to relax which I just have to clarify is not true! I really love watching a TV series at the end of a long day or taking a bath. I would say those are the two things that really get me to unwind. Sometimes it’s also the little things like seeing a friend for a coffee. I do love travel too, although with kids it is harder these days.
What was the last thing you bought?
My favourite energy balls from Juice Baby. I am obsessed! If you mean fashion wise, it was a peach coloured vintage dress I found in Palm Beach and wore to my husband’s 40th Birthday last weekend.
What are your top tips for hosting a dinner party?
Organisation is key. Always think about the menu the week before so you have time to plan and shop for the evening. If you can lay the table the day before that just takes away a hassle on the day when you might be rushed.
I always like to have drinks before sitting for dinner so that the conversation is already flowing. Especially if guests don’t know each other. Above all, try and get your guests to be relaxed.
What’s your signature dish?
My mother’s tuna fish pasta with sweetcorn and cheddar cheese, which is embarrassingly simple but also so comforting and delicious. I have to be honest though, my husband is the real chef in the family.
Where do you like to eat out or go for drinks when you’re in London?
I love 5 Hertford Street for drinks and dinner, as well as Casa Cruz. Claridge’s is also pretty amazing for a cocktail. The real key to my heart is Domino’s Pizza though, embarrassing but true.
Which beauty products do you swear by?
I am a big Augustinus Bader fan and have a pot of it with me at all times. The beauty product I swear by is my face gym massager. I religiously use it every evening no matter where I am in the world.
What fashion pieces are on your wish list this season?
Oh, that’s a hard one but I would have to say The Chloé Moon Boots and the Gucci Bamboo Bag are top of my list.
You have an incredible eye for interiors – where do you love to shop and source pieces from?
I’m always so inspired by Colefax and Fowler. John Fowler actually decorated my husband’s home in Wales back in the 1950s and so that has been a great source of inspiration. It’s where we just shot our new Mrs. Alice Easter Collection which I’m very proud of. Otherwise I do love antique shops and have recently adored the interiors shops of Palm Beach, particularly my friend Meg Braff’s store in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Are there any pieces you have your eye on currently?
I actually have my eye on some huge Pagoda lamps that we sell. I have them in my Cambridgeshire home but I am dying to put them in my flat in London too! They are tall, made of china and quite fabulous. Otherwise more linen please. I can’t get enough of new napkins and placemats.
What are your favourite hotels in the world and why?
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como was where my husband and I had the most wonderful holiday with our kids, it’s amazing. It’s comfortable, cool and has a hint of Wes Anderson about it.
The Bristol in Paris is also pretty fab, along with Finca Cortesin in Spain which is wonderful and has some beautiful interiors.
Get Alice’s style and interiors look below…
Shop the full Mrs Alice collection at www.mrsalice.com
Follow Alice on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mrsalice
The products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however, The Handbook may make a small commission on some products purchased through affiliate links.