IT’S QUITE POSSIBLE that until the pandemic most of us hadn’t even heard of the term ‘tablescaping’ but a beautiful table setting is a great way to elevate any meal or occasion - from a simple dinner with friends to a festive celebration. From glassware to greenery, Ruth O’Connor asks the experts how to set the scene this Christmas.
A Modern Classic
Tara O’Connor is a PR maven whose other business, The Designed Table, has fast become known as a great place to pick up beautiful table linens and accessories.
“Nothing says ‘Christmas’ quite like the colour red paired beautifully with its favourite complementary forest green. Add to that a traditional plaid pattern and a few chunky frills and you have the ultimate nostalgic base,” says O’Connor who has styled a green plaid tablecloth with matching napkins, green cotton frill placemats and silver antler napkin rings this season.
O’Connor advises us to elevate the traditional look with a hint of on-trend glitz by way of elegant glassware, green votive lights, golden candlesticks and cutlery, and a statement dish in a seasonal leaf motif.
Finally it’s all about the finishing touches: “I’ve chosen a traditional bouquet of seasonal flowers and greenery in the centre of the table but at a low height so that it doesn’t interfere with the flow of conversation,” says O’Connor. “And I love using place names and menus at this time of year – they just add the perfect amount of formality to the whole setting, they can be simply prepared and tucked cosily under the napkin.”
The Personal Touch
Fashion editor turned event stylist Grace Cahill is known for her tonal romantic style and her event styling company Styled with Grace brings together over a decade of experience in styling, creative direction and planning.
“If I’m investing in good quality linen and tableware I like to buy colours that will work all year round,” says Cahill. “I’ll often contrast browns, berry and blush tones for a look that feels festive and cosy without being overly traditional. My recipe for a beautiful setting is lots of warmth, texture and layering.”
Little flourishes of Cahill’s include the addition of a beautiful scent around the home, hand-written menus and napkins garnished with flowers or foliage. “If you love tonal colours then keep these on the base of your table and add of festive cheer via ribbons and bows or jazzy prints and ruffle trims on napkins.”
Cahill says it is best to lean into the colours that feel right to you and to invest in things that you can get a lot of use out of – she likes Zara Home and H&M for good neutral basics that won’t break the bank.
“I’m a sucker for a theme, but I rarely buy into embracing themes just for the sake of it. Christmas is no different, so I usually unearth an old tablecloth in a warm rose, mocha or berry tone and jazz it up for festivities with accents of gold or brass in the candleholders. I’ll then bring in bolder tones through the napkins, candles and flowers.”
“There’s a formula to design but there are no set rules, once the space functions for eating and serving, you can customise it however you want,” she says. “Remember you are inviting guests into your space and it should feel like a reflection of you.”
Elegant Scandinavian Style
When it comes to Scandinavian style at Christmas, a recent workshop in Nordic Elements in Dublin’s Blackrock, with founder Helle Moyna and Appassionata founder Ruth Monahan, was a masterclass in paired back chic.
Using items available in-store, Moyna explained the approach to tablescaping with the addition of simple but beautiful items such as linens by Ib Laursen, flatware by Jars France, classic cutlery by Sabre and glassware by Specktrum. Two unique table settings were further elevated by the clever stackable and interchangeable Nagle candleholders and taper candles by Stoff.
The real showstoppers on the evening were the beautiful floral and foliage arrangements by the Appassionata team. Appassionata owner Ruth Monahan suggests investing in long lasting foliage that will last well into the Christmas and New Year period so that you can make your arrangements, centrepieces and ‘dotties’ (small arrangements that can be dotted around the place) well in advance of visitors. Recommended varieties include Pinus Mugo, Conifer Blue de Luxe, Eucalyptus Populus, Eucalyptus Boule with Leaf, Blue Thistle, Grevillea, Amaryllis and Hydrangea.
When creating larger arrangements Monahan recommends trimming the smaller sprigs from lower stems to keep water clean and your foliage looking (and smelling) healthy. You can then use these smaller cut-offs in posy, bud vases or small quirky receptacles on the dining table or dotted around your home.
For an impressive hallway display that can be made ahead of time she recommends starting with long stemmed Pinus Mugo and Magnolia branches before adding in conifer and thistle for “bounce”.
Richly coloured hydrangea or amaryllis flowers can then be added to the foliage closer to the big day. A great idea which works well for smaller spaces or, perhaps, the separate kiddies Christmas table, is to add moss and crocus bulbs to a glass or other transparent vessel for a low profile but interesting organic display.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say