Como House of Discovery: Eat with your Eyes - Open House

Como House of Discovery: Eat with your Eyes - Aesthetic dining and the Art of the Table.

Open House visits are between 1pm - 4:30pm, with last entry by 4pm on select dates. Please arrive anytime between 1pm-4:30pm on your selected date.

Step inside Como House and discover a world where dining transcends mere sustenance and transforms into an exquisite visual and sensory installation. Delve into the artistry of tablescaping where motifs, colours, and designs converge in a rich tapestry of sensory delight.

Echoing the words of Mrs. Beeton in 1893, discover that ‘laying a cloth’ is not merely a mundane chore but a nuanced art form. From the meticulous Victorian tradition of napkin folding, boasting an impressive repertoire of at least 98 folds, to the pursuit of order and symmetry, table settings have evolved into immersive art experiences in their own right.

Journey with guest designers, creatives, and artists as they reinterpret the experience and spectacle of dining through reimagined tablescapes and compelling installations. Beyond just sustenance, dining tables bring together family, friends and culture, shaping identities, preserving traditions and igniting memory, and each piece in this unique installation is inspired by an object or story of a National Trust property.

Among the collaborators are Style Wilderness' Leeyong Soo, designer Nicola Cerini, artist and milliner Richard Nylon, fashion designer Estelle Michaelides, artists Aimee Pradel and Bea Dahllof, stylist Caroline Touzeau, and student creatives from Collarts (Australian College of the Arts).

As a highlight of the exhibition, marvel at the flamboyant 'Table Dress' meticulously crafted by acclaimed costume and production designer Silvana Azzi Heras - originally designed for the Coles Group's participation in the 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Ticketholders should check in at the Como House Retail shop, prior to their visit and receive essential information about their visit.

For guided house tours, please purchase tickets HERE.

To Redeem a Companion Card Ticket:

Please email a copy of the companion card via email to bookings@nattrust.com.au, so that our bookings team can issue a ticket for the companion.

Accessibility requirements:

Please email bookings@nattrust.com.au ahead of time so that we can best plan for your visit.

Group Bookings

For groups of 10 or more please fill in a group booking request form here.

Want Discounted entry?

Become a National Trust member and receive discounted or complimentary entry to Como House and over 1000 properties around Australia and the world. Visit the National Trust Australia (Victoria) website to sign-up!

The Stables of Como

Recharge after your tour with a visit to the Stables of Como and enjoy a tea or coffee and a selection of delicious cakes and sandwiches! To book please call 9827 6886.

Shop

The National Trust Retail outlet and Bookshop are open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 3.30pm.

Shop unique and locally handcrafted giftware or find a treasured book to gift.

All store proceeds go towards the National Trust efforts to conserve and celebrate our diverse natural, cultural, social and Indigenous heritage.

National Trust Members also receive 10% off all shop purchases.