Architect and tablescape designer, Onika’s founder Lucy Cachia Caruana brings an architectural eye for form, scale, and storytelling to the world of hosting. In this thoughtful conversation, she shares how her design background, love of travel, and passion for connection shape the beautifully curated experiences she creates around the table.
Your career began in architecture. How did your design background influence the creation of Onika?
My architectural background shaped the way I think about scale, form, and the interaction these have with people within a space. In this way, I see a table as a small but expressive space where every object laid has a purpose and a place. With that mindset, Onika was born.
You describe tablescaping as an early passion. Do you remember the moment it shifted from hobby to something more?
This shift happened during Covid, when I realised people weren’t just enjoying the meal; they now had the time to connect and converse around a table. I thought to myself that now was the time to bring back the well-laid tables from my childhood to the present day. During gatherings at home, family and friends would always ask where each piece came from or if I could help them style their own gatherings. With both ideas combined, I understood it could become something meaningful, beyond a hobby.
What does ‘the art of gathering’ mean to you, and how does Onika bring that idea to life?
For me, the art of gathering is about creating a feeling of comfort, connection, and, most importantly, conversation. Onika designs tablescapes that allow for those moments where people feel welcomed. It’s about making the everyday a little more thoughtful and special.
When designing a table setting, where do you start — colour, theme, mood, or something else entirely?
Just like in architecture, where I start with a concept, with table settings I do the same. Do I want the celebration to feel playful, formal, casual? Once I understand this, it allows me to create the mood behind the experience, the colour palette, materials, and textures.
How do travel and exploring new places influence your creative vision for both architecture and Onika?
I find inspiration and collect details everywhere I go and in the different places I visit. Travelling plays an important part in Onika’s mood boards, and it allows me to keep designs fresh and creative.
What are the signature elements that define an ‘Onika table’?
An Onika table is layered with theme, colour, and pattern. It’s curated but never fussy — a balance of clean lines, organic textures, and small details that spark joy. There’s an effortless refinement to it.
You work across both intimate dinners and larger celebrations. How do you adapt your approach for different scales?
With smaller gatherings, I lean into one’s own personal touches, creating a more intimate environment. For larger celebrations, the theme shifts towards creating greater visual impact through repetition. The scale changes, but the storytelling remains the same — that of connection.
Sustainability and thoughtful curation are increasingly important. How do these values shape the pieces you select for Onika?
Onika was not created for its end users to design a new tablescape at each gathering. Our aim has always been to prioritise pieces people can use again and again, restyle throughout the years, and truly cherish rather than discard — passing them down from generation to generation. We try to find pieces made from durable materials, with craftsmanship that lasts.
What trends or design aesthetics are inspiring you at the moment in the world of table décor and entertaining?
The Mediterranean lifestyle has always been an inspiration to me. Fresh fruit, herbs, flowers, and sea life are all tools that help me create collections and sculptural elements within a tablescape. There’s something special about letting natural forms, such as vibrant citrus or a delicate shell, set the tone for the table. I love pairing these organic elements with bold colours, patterns, and textures, creating a layered composition while telling a story for those joining the dining experience.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes for Onika as it continues to grow within the world of design and hosting?
My hope is for Onika to become a trusted companion in the art of hosting and tablescaping — expanding our collections, collaborating with artisans, and creating experiences that inspire people to gather more often around a well-laid table. I want Onika to help people celebrate the beauty in everyday moments while doing the thing I love most: dining with family and friends.
