Meet Krysta
Hey there, beautiful souls! I'm Krysta Leiman, Founder of Crowded Table by design, and I am absolutely jazzed to embark on this soul-stirring adventure with you. Imagine this for a moment—a table crowded with elegant décor, delicious dishes that celebrate the season’s abundance, and most importantly, a crowd brimming with laughter, tales woven, and connections that feel like coming home.
You see, my stint in education—yep, a solid 18 years, plus a Master’s degree in neuroscience and inclusive education—taught me something profound: it's the relationships that light up our world. Connecting with your crowd is not only one of the best things you can do to support your wellbeing, but it’s also vital to living an inspired life. And I'm here to sprinkle that magic into every single gathering I create.
While I first began designing connective experiences in the classroom, my passion for doing so quickly expanded throughout the rest of my life–from planning gatherings for family occasions to extravagant, multi-course wine pairing dinners with friends. Through it all, I’ve learned a few things about what makes a crowded table, including: a warm & inviting atmosphere, delicious & diverse food, engaging conversation, lively energy, and lingering impact. Above all, my intention with every gathering that I design is to cultivate a sense of community - where the Crowded Table is a place for connection and belonging.
When I’m not designing gatherings and crowding tables, you’ll find me exploring the beautiful mountain trails of British Columbia with my horses–especially my partner-in-crime, Finley. I’ve been deeply inspired by these gentle spirits, their trust, and the sheer power of their companionship. You’ll definitely find me tending to my cherished bunch of humans and animals alike–making sure they feel like the stars they are–and occasionally you might find me dabbling in interior design, where I enjoy outfitting the central room of any home, the kitchen.
So, at Crowded Table by design, I blend my planning prowess with a heart that beats for people, and a dash of following my curiosity. My mission? To whisk you into moments that make you go, 'Wow!'—where each bite and every conversation wraps you in warmth–and to make it easy for you to host magical gatherings like these, to gather your crowd, and cultivate your own community. Let's turn the ordinary into extraordinary, shall we? I'm all about savouring togetherness and painting each gathering with a brush of heartfelt connections.
I'm absolutely tickled pink to be on this ride with you. Together, let's craft memories that glow and create tales that hug our souls, revel in the magic of connections, and gather 'round a crowded table.
Sending heaps of warmth and joy your way!
Meet Dannelle
Hi! I’m Dannelle, Finance and Design for Crowded Table by design. After a lengthy career in education, I knew it was time for a change. I have a few irons in the fire such as growing produce that we sell to the community, trying my hand at a flower farm and painting on glass and canvas. I enjoy time with my family, especially my three grandchildren and making memories with my circle of friends.
I savour the simple things in life and when I'm not creating beauty and sustenance through the garden, my husband and I love so much, I am working with Krysta to create connections and togetherness through Crowded Table by design. I appreciate the process of growing food from the ground up and I am reminded daily of the miracle of nature’s abundance and the remarkable journey that food takes from soil to crowded table… And not only my table… Your table as well because when we love our people, we feed them.
Our Values
What we bring to the tableCommunity
We know from experience that cultivating community is one of the most impactful things you can do for your health and wellbeing. When you find and connect with your crowd, and build a support system where you can inspire & uplift each other–that’s life-changing, priceless, and will carry you through the multitude of life’s experiences. Through everything we do at Crowded Table by design, our aim is to foster for ourselves and for you a sense of community–to help you find your crowd, a bit of fun, and belonging.
Intention
We understand that hosting a gathering is a labor of love. It’s how we show our crowd that we love them (acts of service love language, anyone?). This act of service requires a level of presence, mindfulness, and intention that we hold reverence for. With a Crowded Table gathering, our goal is for the host and their crowd to feel a sense of presence throughout the experience. We go to every length to infuse intention into every detail of the gatherings and guides we design.
Quality
What can we say, we love all things beauty, depth, and quality! We strive to design gatherings that create warm & inviting spaces, to design materials where no detail is left unnoticed, to prompt conversations that cultivate connection far beyond the surface, and especially to plan menus that feature fresh, high-quality, seasonal (locally sourced, whenever we can!) ingredients. We believe that gathering is one of the most important things we can do to lead inspired lives, and strive to infuse quality into every element of those experiences–for ourselves and our crowds to enjoy.
Play
The gatherings we design are anything but ordinary. Every detail–from the theme, to the menu, to the Soul Sparks Conversation Cards and activities–is designed to take your crowd beyond ordinary, day-to-day life, and into your imaginations. Our gatherings are immersive experiences that transport you and your crowd to new realities, and help you reconnect with the power of play. Play cultivates joy, kindness, safety, and connection, and is fundamental to leading an inspired life.
