Think Green
Real or faux greenery arranged in smoky glass vases and a simple eucalyptus garland running down the length of the table create a lush look, while smatterings of pine cones add winter whimsy, without being holiday-specific. Avoiding traditional Christmas colours and decor also helps with reuse — this is a table that you’ll set up for entertaining all winter long, not just throughout the festive season.
Mix High and Low
Creating a seasonal tablescape shouldn’t break the bank, says stylist Erin Donnelly-Ferguson. For this table, she procured items from a variety of retailers, from Pottery Barn and Britannia Kitchen & Home to Michaels and IKEA, mixing in some of her own antique brass candlesticks collected over the years from Inside Avenue Antiques. “The glassware, which is a play on a traditional bevelled design, is from IKEA,” Donnelly-Ferguson says. “It doesn’t need to be crystal to add formality.”
Play with Heights and Textures
The garland and pine cones clustered on wooden chargers keep things grounded at table level, while the vases of greenery, antique candlesticks and black taper candles draw the eye up.
Add Twists on Formality
Donnelly-Ferguson’s design is a blend of traditional and contemporary: The charcoal tableware and gold cutlery are an unexpected take on formal table settings, and the black taper candles add a contemporary spin, especially paired with traditional candlesticks. Finally, flax-coloured table linens make for a more relaxed feel than conventional winter white.