Cooking dinner may be the priority on Christmas Day, but setting the table is no less important. Louise Rowley from fine china specialist Mulberry Hall, York, offers some stylish options.
Christmas can be a bit over-the-top, what with all that tinsel, mistletoe and glitter. But it doesn't have to be like that and we think we have the festive season wrapped up with some stunning designs that will have your table shimmering, not groaning. Here are three looks to give you inspiration for your own Christmas table...
Setting 1: A Scandinavian Christmas
“Copper has been a huge influence in design this year, so why not let it add to the design of your Christmas table,” suggest Louise Rowley of Mulberry Hall.
"Here I've introduced it with Polka Metallics Stemware, by LSA, which comes in sets of four at £35."
Tableware is by Sophie Conran for Portmeirion. 28cm dinner plates, £14, buffet plate, £12. Cutlery is Sabre Tortoiseshell, from £10.75.
The tapered white candles are held in Leonardo candlesticks and the napkins are Le Jacquard Francais.
"I have used a combination of two napkin colours, here, black pepper and white from the Tivoli range, to add depth to the arrangement. These have been wrapped in a beautiful ribbon specked with gold."
Continuing the metallic theme, Louise added Sia artificial flowers, large baubles by Goodwill, and smaller golden decorations mixed within.
Setting 2: Keeping it traditional
"This time I wanted to create the Christmas everyone knows. Tartan is the big thing this season and the deep shades of reds and greens were inspired by the famous Royal Stewart Tartan. It's perfect for Christmas."
The greens are held in the French tableware Tourron Samoa by Jars. Presentation plate: £21.75, dessert plates £15.
This has been combined with Creamware by Leeds Pottery. 10" plates £40.75 each.
Again the cutlery is Sabre Tortoiseshell.
Keeping to the rich tartan colour palette, Louise chose a table cloth and napkins by Le Jacquard Francais. The napkins are Mezzo Palme chlorophylle, £10 each and the tablecloth is Siena, Ruby, £153.75; a perfect backdrop for shimmering crystal.
More tartan influences are found in the Ruby Wine Stemware by William Yeoward, which catches the candle light perfectly. £56 each.
The central arrangement in deep green and burgundy is a mix of live and artificial flowers which brings everything together. It also incorporates peacock feathers, which highlight the rich shades plucked from tartan. A feather has also been placed on top of each napkin.
"I think Christmas is a time to make napkins fun. Wrap a ribbon around them and pop a present inside, so once unwrapped they become a Christmas cracker as well."
Setting 3: Cool and contemporary
"I've used a wreath as basis for the centre of the table and threaded crystal lilies by Sia, which catch the light beautifully," says Louise. "It's not too fussy. And to me that's important in a modern design."
Within the wreath a delicate glow is cast on the table by silver candles in iitala candle sticks inspired by the platinum rim on Wedgwood's Flirt; a fresh and elegant pattern by Vera Wang set on quality fine bone china. 27cm plate £27.50.
Stemware is Vinum by Riedel; Gourmet Glass £12.50, Sauvignon at £22.50, the cutlery, designed by Robert Welch, is Deta Bright. Prices from £3.25.
Each place is set on a mirror to add metallic elegance and reflect back some of the details. Everything is set off by the beautifully designed table by Lalique. Whether you prefer your Christmas to be ancient or modern, there's no excuse for going over the top with all that tinsel, mistletoe and glitter.
By following Louise's expert advice, you can dress your table in style and she says the opportunities are almost endless.
"You might want to add white feathers, baubles and holly sprayed silver. But if you want to be on trend this year, go with copper and tartan, even mixing them.
"Now there's a challenge."
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