A Freelance Photographer’s Take on Tablescapes

Coffee table styled with warm tones and minimalist aesthetic in a living room — *Design & Photography by @oezlem.oezsoy*

Oezlem Oezsoy is a talented freelance photographer based in Hamburg, Germany, with a focus on portraits, fashion, interiors, and travel. She’s also worked as a photo editor for notable women’s magazines including Gala, Grazia, Barbara, and Couch. You can explore more of her work on her website.

I first discovered Oezlem on Instagram a few years ago and was immediately drawn to her cohesive, midcentury modern interior style. Not only are the images she shares of her home absolutely beautiful, but her self-described “warm minimalist” aesthetic is captivating—each post feels like a breath of calm inspiration in my feed.

Above, a photo that Oezlem took herself in Japan sits between light sheer curtains, paired with a red ceramic Catherine Table Lamp from Serax by designer Marie Michielssen. Below, I’ll highlight a few of her styled tablescapes and share ways you can bring her warm minimalist aesthetic into your own home—especially if you’re as drawn to it as I am.

Let’s break it down!

Coffee Table Styling / Home Decor Tips / Tabletop Decor / Midcentury Modern Minimalist / Interior Design / Curated Tablescapes — *Design & Photography by @oezlem.oezsoy*

Black and white seems to be the theme across most of Oezlem’s tablescapes and this one is no exception! A silver, serpentine-style table lamp from GUBI (the Aspide Table Lamp) sits atop a GARAGE magazine. She also includes a Celine coffee table book. I couldn’t find the exact match, but Chanel: A Fashionable History (available on Amazon) is a great alternative.

A whimsical handmade ceramic bowl (similar style available on Etsy) holds Eleos Aesop hand cream, while a natural clay tray (similar style available on Zara Home) holds an Antwerp scented candle. A smaller, irregular-shaped tray sits beside it—grouping the ceramics into a trio. A good match for this last catchall would be the small Pebble Tray on Etsy.

A Zebrah White striped mug from GVG Ceramics adds a bold pattern moment, and the cherry on top for me: the silver Drip Candle Holder from Polspotten.

While the layout feels lived-in and a little scattered, it’s all tied together by a consistent black-and-white color palette brought to life with warm wooden bowl (similar style available on Amazon), varied patterns, a range of textures, and a bright pop of yellow tulips spilling from a simple clear glass vase.

Coffee Table Styling / Home Decor Tips / Tabletop Decor / Midcentury Modern Minimalist / Interior Design / Curated Tablescapes / Living Room — *Design & Photography by @oezlem.oezsoy*

The next tablescape starts with a dark brown Glass Coffee Table from Detjer. I love the thick natural wood base paired with an exposed edge glass top. The two layers gives her extra space to style while also having additional storage. The version she has is on the pricier side (due to its great quality), so I found a similar style mid-century modern option on Amazon for anyone looking to achieve her look at a more affordable price point.

One thing I really appreciate about Oezlem is how she reuses many of the same decor pieces in different ways across her tablescapes. You’ll notice a few familiar favorites from the previous setup, like the silver Drip Candle Holder from Polspotten and the Zebrah White striped mug from GVG Ceramics, both cleverly placed at the center of the table. They add a touch of pattern, metallic shine, and organic texture.

It’s creative and also super relatable—not every styled surface needs something new. Sometimes it's just about seeing your existing pieces in a new way.

A stainless steel coffee table (similar to this square Metal Coffee Table on Etsy) takes center stage in this space, creating the perfect backdrop for the curated home decor on display. While metal can sometimes feel harsh, the brushed finish softens the look. Paired with a plush wool rug underneath, the overall effect is warm and cozy. It’s a great example of how mixing materials and textures can bring balance and depth to a room.

Oezlem often incorporates German fashion magazines into her tabletop styling, but there are a few recognizable books that consistently appear throughout her designs. Titles like A Sculptor's World by Isamu Noguchi, Jean-Michel Frank by Laure Verchère, Prada: The Complete Collections by Susannah Frankel, Peter Lindbergh: On Fashion Photography by Peter Lindbergh, and ARCHIVE by Sofia Coppola stand out as favorites. It’s a beautifully curated selection—perfect for anyone looking to style with soft tones and neutral-colored coffee table books.