For a quirky take on festive, keep the look glamorous with mismatched geometric linen, Fornasetti-style ceramics and plenty of gleaming metallics.
Geometric black and white tablecloth, £29.99; printed tablecloth, from £49.99, both Zara Home. Spectrum Black napkins, £5.50 for four, Dunelm. Assorted Geometric napkin ring, £19.99 for four, Zara Home. Gold vase, stylist’s own, find similar at John Lewis & Partners. Brian Leslie Fuller silver candelabrum, £1,850, Jeroen Markies. Leaf Glass Gold charger plate, £10, Dunelm. Vintage Italian Fornasetti plate Tema E Varazioni, £480, Xupes at 1st Dibs. Vintage cocktail shaker in Absinthe Green glass and brass, £95, Lorfords. Honeycomb cut crystal champagne coupes c1900, £395 for 12, Lorfords. Turini Black 16-piece cutlery set, £95, Habitat. Side plate (part of Carrington dinner set), £50, Next. Baubles, stylist’s own. - -
Create with colour
Azure blue, turquoise, sea green and gold conjure up an exotic setting that mirrors the beauty of jewel-bright peacock feathers. Stick to these four shades to ensure a cohesive and opulent effect.
An opulent blue and gold exotic table setting - -
Natural table decoration
Bring a touch of Scandinavia to the table with plenty of freshly cut foliage and understated natural materials. Switch decorative ceramics for simple pewter, and pair with jute placemats and white linen napkins. Add plenty of candles and turn down the lights for a cosy meal surrounded by the scents of nature.
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Traditional festive set-up
Vintage linens in naturaltones evoke the feeling of Christmases past. Keep your tableware crisp and subtly ornamental with vintage creamware and delicately detailed cutlery.
French linen, £20 per m, No.52 Antiques. Candle, stylist’s own. Cutlery, £165 for 16 pieces, Rachel’s & Michael’s Antiques. French octagonal creamware plate, £110, Anne Fowler. Red and white soup bowl, £12, Focus on the Past. Linen tea towel, £8, Muir: Antiques. 19th-century French hand-etched crystal glass, £35, Chloe Cyphus Antiques. French creamware plate, £110, Anne Fowler. Vintage silver-plated berry serving spoons, £10 each, Chloe Cyphus Antiques. - -
Decorate with deep, rich tones
Embrace the berry tones that are so on-trend for the festive season. Make a striking centrepiece with a large bowl filled with winter fruits next to a charming posy of garden flowers and berries. Bring out a small selection of your best ceramics for an eclectic and casually styled array.
Pewter plate, £60, Anne Fowler. Navy damask napkin, £48 for four, Amy Perry Antiques. Napkin ring, £21, Focus on the Past. French creamware plate, £24, The Giant Shepton Flea Market. Victorian dessert cutlery, £925 for 12 with canteen and serving spoons, Lorfords. Pink lustre goblet, £68, Anne Fowler. Pewter urn, £25, Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair. Pewter fruit bowl, £35, Focus on
the Past. - -
A classic colour palette
The traditional combination of red and green never fails to please at Christmastime. Keep it classic and sophisticated by teaming gold and silver elements with elegant glassware. To make sure the look is a little less formal and regimented, choose plates in differing patterns but the same shades.
A traditional table setting combining red, green and gold - -
