Four Stunning Christmas Tables in Four Stunning Styles
WORDS : CHYKA KEEBAUGH
PHOTO : LISA ATKINSON
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST IMAGES : COMMISSION STUDIO 2019
Four themes, four tables - which one would suit your home this Christmas?
A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TABLE
This classic table setting is all about the floral garland. Lush and gorgeous, this focal point and the perfect combination of white, silver and green create such a strong statement that you can't do it half-heartedly. Featuring layers of plates, candles and collections of crystal glasses, this table is my nod to a formal & traditional Christmas. Starting with a basic palette of grey, silver and white I collected all my favourite old pieces of porcelain - diving into the back of the cupboard for FOUR plates (yes a little over the top - but it is Christmas!) and started from there. A simple few metres of grey fabric created a dramatic effect as it draped to the ground, held neatly in place by this gorgeous rose smattered garland.
Clear seating keeps your eyes on the table, and these quirky place settings made from laser cut acrylic are a perfect take-home gift for your guests. When looking at the volume of the centrepiece, you are probably wondering where all our Christmas lunch is going to fit - well, it's not! You can't have both, and this garland is too gorgeous to move so I would create a buffet-style service where your guests can fill their plates then sit down to eat. By setting your table a few days before Christmas means you can focus on other areas like a dramatic drinks trolley. I love nothing more than an area where guests can help themselves, whether it be a counter set up with cocktails or a simple tray of sparkling, this frees up your time to welcome your guests and enjoy the day.
TOP TIP FOR RECREATING THIS LOOK
In the lead up to the big day raid your extended families collection of plates and glassware to create the perfect jumbled look. I.e., crystal cut glasses, silver platters, serving tools, anything that can be mixed and match. Bring those heirlooms out and back to life!
A COLOURFUL CHRISTMAS TABLE
Now, this is my type of Christmas table - bright, fun and inviting with such a relaxed, happy vibe. Loosely based on the colours of the rainbow, I created an easy centrepiece by gift wrapping boxes and filling the centre of the table. Simple aqua plates are adorned with a festive napkin, a gift box and name tag match neatly but don't steal the attention as they work perfectly with coloured cut glass vessels holding confetti bonbons to bring an extra level of fun. This look is so straightforward to recreate; all you need to do is start with a basic white table and add colour.
This use of flat, vibrant colour can be brought back through your tree. Using a gradient style of colour blocking, I have started on the bottom of the tree with blue and worked my way up to the top with green, yellow, red and pink. These brights match back to my gift wrapping, keeping the whole look fun, vibrant, and so achievable. Why send the young ones off to a fun kids table when we can all eat at this colourful table?
TOP TIP FOR RECREATING THIS LOOK
Scour your local bargain store for small boxes to wrap, wrap them in coloured squares of paper with contrasting ribbon. Buying these items in bulk with your five colours in mind will keep your look consistent.
A DESIGNER CHRISTMAS TABLE
I am in love with this look! Not only for Christmas but for any time of the year, it is a universal style that can be moulded to any celebration - but this Christmas it is going to shine! Chinois and Willow designs are something I decorated my whole home in back in the early '90s, and like everything, it's on display again! At first glance, its's almost beachy (so seaside dwellers this look is perfect for your festive decor), but on close inspection, it is a combination of patterned layers, florals and pure white china. I can guarantee this look will be the talk of the Christmas season, so how can you bring it into your home?
A gorgeous blue and white tablecloth is the basis of this look, whether you purchase one or buy a few metres from your local fabric store, with a stunning centrepiece of white Hydrangeas. Fresh, happy and bright, this table comes to life with the layering of a white charger plate, a navy and white printed dinner plate and a classic Parisian napkin. Bonbons and wrapping to match this theme were all created on a fantastic site called zazzle.com. You can make any custom products your heart desires, everything from clothing and cards to fabric and wall art, add some gorgeous navy ribbon to it - and ta-da! In the months leading up to Christmas, plan your theme and do your research, getting creative take time and organisation so if you are going down this path - start early! For example, I purchased my blue tasselled decorations from a market in Hong Kong earlier this year. I knew they would make a great decoration paired with paper lanterns, white beaded wreaths and fairy lights creating a simple yet stunning tree.
TOP TIP FOR RECREATING THIS LOOK
Do a search on 'downloadable prints' for making your bonbon wrappings. There are hundreds of free patterns you can print out and use, once your decor theme is decided upon, search for downloads and print away. There is absolutely nothing wrong with re-wrapping existing bonbons to match your look; not everything can be DIY!
A CONTEMPORARY CHRISTMAS TABLE
Easily the most traditional looking table of the four, this Nordic-inspired table revolves around touches of red, textures of wood and the amazing aromas of pine. If you don't have a wooden table, you can recreate this rustic look by covering any style of table with a few metres of hessian or brown paper then laying a line of cut pine branches to create the centrepiece. I added some antler offcuts, pots of Christmas firs and red berries to add some colour and height with these shades matching right in with my napkins and placemats. Wooden placements are becoming easier to find, but if you have a handy person in the family, thin slices (mine are approx 5cm in height) of a fallen tree stump can be sawn off and lightly sanded to be used. These match back perfectly to my wooden-handled cutlery and hessian wrapped bread rolls which are there to add a little drama to the table. Simple additions like brown paper bonbons and paper tags as place settings, the combination of red and white gingham and red and white stripe ribbons all add to the look; enhancing its festive feel.
This table is an excellent example of how to make an entire room festive. Style your surrounding shelving with a combination of festive and rustic touches; baskets of red bonbons, displayed wreaths and candles, Christmas treats surrounded by extra glasses and plates. If this shelving is usually full of books - take them out for the season! Box them up and create a festive space for you and your family to enjoy and celebrate. Continue this rustic simplicity through to your wrapping with brown paper and lush red striped ribbons, add a little cheer by adding cute ornaments to each gift. Its little touches like this that show you care and take pride in your home, and why not? You have one day of the year to really spruce it up and show it off - I say go for it!
TOP TIP FOR RECREATING THIS LOOK
Books are a great tool to use when wanting to add height to a dining table, coffee table or shelf. Having a small collection of leather-bound books ( I found all mine in second-hand shops and are always looking for more!) means I can layer up my plates, glasses or trays on a table without sacrificing on style.
AND, OF COURSE, WITH EVERY CELEBRATION - THERE MUST BE MUSIC!
A combination of hymns, singalong carols and festive classics fill this collection to the brim. On one of the most beautiful days of the year that is enjoyed all over the world, it needs a soundtrack that is graceful, unintrusive and thoroughly enjoyable, perfect to share with loved ones. If you are already using spotify all you need to do is search Chyka.com or Chyka Celebrate and you will find the collection of playlists. Simply subscribe or download each list and your next event already has a playlist!
A very big THANK YOU to an amazing array of suppliers for all your generosity this festive season! Provincial Home Living, Kip & Co, Kmart, Rosa Rose Flor, Dandenong Christmas Tree Farm, The Design Depot, The Big Group, Harry The Hirer, Sketch & Etch.