A FABULOUSLY FUSS-FREE FESTIVE SEASON AT HOME
Interior designer Charlotte Coote has made her name by successfully integrating timelessness and classic design with fresh, innovative and unexpected elements in her projects. She has more than 16 years' experience in the industry and worked around the world. We find out where she gets her inspiration when it comes to Christmas entertaining at home.
What does home mean to you?
A sanctuary where my family can relax and recharge. I love being in the garden tending to my vegetables, collecting eggs from the chooks, watching the children play, and time by the pool.
Picnics and lunches outside always bring so much joy. It’s about being around the people I care about in a comfortable environment.
On creating festive tablescapes?
I generally go back to the basics of Christmas with festive colours and textures. Fill massive vases with pine cones, use candles, silver, glass, crisp white linen and Christmas crackers that work with your scheme.
For impact, pick just a few objects and colours and repeat them again and again. Steer clear of miniature Father Christmases and reindeer with snow on their backs. When it is 40 degrees outside, it’s just odd!
How do you use festive colour in your home?
You really can’t go wrong with a good amount of green, and a hint of woody tones. A pop of red is great, but unless you have a room that can take this strong colour, it is best to keep it green. The same goes for gold ... it’s best in small doses.
Quick idea to transform a room for the season?
Greenery en masse in vases, or an oversized real Christmas tree (if it is too big for the room, that’s even better).
Don’t forget music; it doesn’t have to be cliché Christmas music, but it does need to be festive. Scented Christmas candles in fragrances such
as sandalwood, cyprus, burnt wood or fig will create a beautiful atmosphere.
Sit candles in little mini wreaths of real holly, and try potted Christmas trees around the house. I love holly as a door wreath, and around fireplaces dripping down to the ground (it doesn’t need to be in water). I also rather like Christmas lilies.
On the art of being a good host?
If the host has fun, the guests will, too. To entertain beautifully and stylishly, the key is organisation and keeping things simple. I aim to have organised 90 per cent of a party prior to guests arriving.
Pre-choose music, set tables, line up glasses, chill drinks, light candles, fill vases with flowers and make as much food as possible the day before – then I can truly enjoy time with my guests.
In my younger years, I may have been guilty of being disorganised and aiming too high with the menu. It was an utter disaster! Keep it simple. Now is not the time to try that new recipe.
...and guests?
RSVP immediately to the invitation in the same manner you were invited. For example, if a beautiful printed invitation arrives in the post, you must write and accept or decline the invitation and post your return. The same goes for a text message invitation to a simple kitchen dinner, respond via text message immediately. It is important not to sit on an invitation. Thank your host within 48 hours – via text, phone call or hand-written note. During the party, talk to other guests and make an effort. Have fun and be giving in spirit.
How do you celebrate the festive season?
In our home, Christmas is about children. We sing Christmas carols, and make loads of delicious homemade food – in particular, my grandmother's brandy butter, and glazed ham.
After the meal, it’s carols, then we relax while our labrador, Bobby, cleans up the floor around the Christmas lunch table.
The gifts you love to give?
I am moving away from tangible, sometimes wasteful gifts and more towards experiences. For example, fancy restaurant vouchers or concert tickets, though of course the children still need something fun to unwrap. cooteandco.com.au
“TO ENTERTAIN BEAUTIFULLY AND STYLISHLY, THE KEY IS ORGANISATION AND KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE.” CHARLOTTE COOTE