GATHER ROUND
Even if it’s just a table for two, make your festive celebrations feel magical
Beautiful pieces for an intimate festive table
COLD COMFORT
If there was ever a year to embrace the idea of a winter picnic, it’s this one. Bring a sense of the Alpine mountainside to your alfresco get-together by pairing natural elements with rustic textures and a snowy palette of white and grey. A sheepskin rug, draped over a bench, will make chilly seating feel much warmer (visit The Organic Sheep for beautiful styles), while glass candle lanterns, arranged on the tabletop or dotted around the garden, will create an inviting glow. On the table, use pieces made from galvanised steel and enamel (try the ranges from Garden Trading and Zara Home), but elevate these practical objects with a few soft touches. Use proper napkins and placemats, for example, and have a vase full of seasonal foliage to bring an extra layer of colour and texture. Alternatively, arrange a garland along the length of the table – the winter berry styles from Cox & Cox look particularly effective.
Good hues
A beautifully laid table always adds a sense of occasion. For a fresh look, avoid the obvious festive colours and instead adopt a more burnished palette – shades of rose, honey and chocolate work well layered together. A simple linen tablecloth is a good neutral base, and the stonewashed styles by Piglet are in pared-back shades that feel friendlier than starched white cotton. The linen napkins by Sir/madam come in a set of six chalky colours and look smart finished with a napkin ring. Choosing delicately hued glassware is an elegant way to introduce further colour: the tumblers and carafes at Summerill & Bishop are the dream, while the pretty selection at Anthropologie is beautiful, too. Metallic touches will keep the mix grown-up – for a centrepiece that looks the part, arrange golden candleholders along the table and fill with tapered candles of different hues and heights. See our edit of the season’s best on page 138.
‘ARRANGE TAPERED CANDLES OF DIFFERENT HUES AND HEIGHTS ALONG THE TABLE’
‘CARVE OUT A CORNER FOR TEATIME – AND KEEP THINGS RELAXED’
Sweet spot
Festive afternoons are perfect for indulging in some home-baked treats, so carve out a corner for teatime. Keep things relaxed: there’s no need for a tablecloth, and don’t worry about keeping your tea service too formal; a casually mixed-and-matched collection of old and new pieces feels charming. For traditional china, try Burleigh’s handmade floral styles and Denby for chunkier, more everyday pieces. For plates with an individual look, try the designs by Karin Hossack and the collection at vintage emporium Edition 94. At every teatime, though, make sure the cake stand takes centre stage: for interesting styles that go beyond the conventional three-tiered shape, look at Hunter & Co and Divertimenti. Use pillar candles and tealights to create a warm glow around the table. As an extra flourish, place woollen blankets over the back of each chair in case you want to get even cosier.