10 stylish looks to transform your holiday table settings

LONDON: Dining tables are the setting for lazy brunches and long lunches over the weeks of festive fun. And while your perfectly cooked roast is the centrepiece, a beautifully dressed table can’t fail to boost festivities. This year, there are plenty of key looks that have already been carefully curated by top interiors experts to give you inspiration.

Glittering gold and silver are back in a big way this year. You can also go bright and bold, mixing turquoise and fuchsia crackers and napkins, for a playful and contemporary look. Adding elements of gold with cutlery or napkin rings will add a touch of festive sparkle. Nordic Noel is another big theme – create a simple, rustic look with evergreen foliage on a bare table laid with mismatched crockery for a cosy cabin feel.

Ten key looks for this year’s Christmas table from top stylists: “Go for glamour with a gorgeous table dressed in sparkling, metallic tones and textures,” says Kate Thompson. Take inspiration from frozen landscapes with lashings of subtle silver. Gold is timeless and opulent, go all out with this decadent theme with cutlery and goblets. “Go mismatched and heavy on the glitz, pairing mixed metallics with white,” says Jo Thornhill, stylist at Homesense. “Stick to a maximum of three colours within the scheme,” says Elaine Hooper at John Lewis. “Use plain-coloured napkins and runners and exciting cracker designs, ribbons and even tree decorations.” Mix natural snow-tipped white with warming neutrals and evergreen foliage. “Include a nice mix of your favourite tableware and crockery with textured and colourful elements in floral and animal form,” says Liz Sylvester at Liberty. “Surprise and inspire your dinner guests.” “Adorn the entire room with the same motifs,” says Emma Sims-Hilditch at Neptune. “If I’m using leafy garlands and lots of candlelight as my centrepiece, I’ll then repeat that on window ledges and across surrounding furniture – spectacular.” “Subtly fluted, pearlescent glassware creates light reflective forms which add a touch of elegance and lift the tabletop,” says Emily Rubner of Heals. “This look is the antithesis to the traditional red and green often used for Christmas,” says Sally Bendelow of notonthehighstreet.com. “It features eye-catching, clashing pops of colour such as hot pink and turquoise.” – The Independent