The art is in the presentation when it comes to dressing the table for the festive season. Create magic and merriment by taking inspiration from these local store's enchanting table settings Traditional with a Twist, Icy Woodlands and Red Tartan Tea. Whatever your fancy, make sure to incorporate cherished belongings with a few new treasures to design the perfect holiday table.
Traditional with a twist
The inspiration for Fairhome Interiors' themed table scheme Traditional with a Twist comes from holiday greenery, and red and boldly coloured table linens. “Holiday colours of red and green are always a strong foundation for decorating for the season,” says owner Janet Sachade. “We wanted to show how to mix this traditional look with current trends to achieve Traditional with a Twist.”
They applied a lot of contrasts, used natural products as accents and combined vintage with new. The centrepiece, a natural wine plank with vintage cutlery handles, combines beautifully with Sachade's great-grandmother's antique flatware. The natural wood coasters and slate place card holders add casual elegance, while the cut glass stemware and wine decanter bring some holiday sparkle to the table.
The black typography on the Emma Bridgewater dishes ties in attractively with the black background provided by the napkins and place mats and gives the look a fashionable edge. Cementing the traditional feel is the red sleigh filled with holiday greenery.
“I love the contrast of formal elements with casual ones to create the unexpected,” says Sachade. “This theme allows people to use their own pieces, like I've used my great-grandmother's flatware, but you could also use heirloom serving dishes, plates or glassware with elements from current trends and the result is a beautiful, colourful, warm table for the holidays.”
Holly napkins, $32 for set of 4, by April Cornell
Round faux leather reversible place mats, $38 for set of 4
Round wine barrel plank with vintage cutlery handles (Canadian made), $115
Red sleigh, $36
Pine sprigs, $11 each
Slate place card holders, $28 for set of 10
Natural wood coasters, $28 for set of 4
Faux glossy pomegranates, $12 for set of 6
Red damask Christmas tablecloth (60″ X 120″), $105
Cut glassware wineglasses, $20 for set of 2
Pedestal glass dessert dishes, $11 for set of 2
Black Toast bird tea light holders, $38 each, by Emma Bridgewater
Black Toast collectible dinner plates (microwave and dishwasher safe), $38 each, by Emma Bridgewater
““ All items available at Fairhome Interiors, “¨468 Brant Street, Burlington; 905.333.4644; fairhomeinteriors.ca
Icy woodlands
Enter a winter wonderland with In House's Icy Woodlands table setting. “A trend for holiday decorating is natural, rustic styles mixed with contemporary elements and this table reflects that,” says Pam Chisholm, owner of In House. “We love the simplicity, sparkle and natural look combined all together.”
They desired an elegant, streamlined appearance focusing in on select beautiful pieces. White pillar candles, delicate bird accessories and icy trees all create a monochromatic, ethereal look. “The silver trees are stunning,” she notes. “We used larger items and fewer small accessories to make more of an impact. Less is more.”
Not only is the look fashionable and festive, it also does not require a great deal of fuss, ideal for this time of year. “Leave the key items on the table and just add the dinnerware,” remarks Chisholm. “A chic table is a must for the holidays.”
Flatware, $3.95 to $5.50, by Maxwell & Williams
Chargers, $30, by Accents de Ville
Table runner, $30
Napkins, $20 for set of 4
Wine cooler, $690, by Reidel
Wineglasses, $14.95 each, by Indaba
Christmas tree, $195 (large), $95 (small)
Large glitter candle, $10
Pillar glitter candle, $10
Small glitter votives, $5
Bird in nest, $10.50
Glitter bird, $7
Glitter branch, $16.50
Crackers, $45 for set of 6
Wreath, $22
Salad servers, $55 for the pair, by Soho
Dinner plates, $44 each, by Juliska
Side plates, $75 for set of 4, by Juliska
Large serving bowl, $120, by Juliska
Dining table, $1495
Vintage dining chairs, $275 each
““ All items available at In House, 481 & 482 John Street, Burlington; 905.637.3600; inhouseetc.ca.
Red tartan tea
Red tartan button napkin rings and place mats are the inspiration behind Red Tartan Tea, the creation of Marina Nawrocki, owner of Zest for Living. This table setting with lots of stunning red accents is perfect for afternoon tea and equally sublime for a convivial dinner. “Red is classic, traditional and always popular,” Nawrocki says. “I love the red with the touches of gold and white.”
The theme is built around a few delightful elements including the cardinal teapot and handmade amaryllis silk floral arrangements. “Centrepieces, whether artificial flowers or a simple bowl of fake or real apples, are very effective,” she notes.
Stylish items for the holiday season include the elegant Oxford refillable butane candle flame lighter, the highly collectable Emma Bridgewater Holiday Holly mugs and the Maxwell and Williams round gold chargers.
Nawrocki believes mixing old and new and using items in unique ways adds flair and is paramount. “Open your cupboards. Grab your grandmother's cake plate that you would never, ever use and put it on your table filling it with real or fake elements, maybe some candles. Use it as a prop,” she says. “My big thing is that people should buy a couple of new accessories but also use what they've got to create a beautiful holiday table.”
Large red decorative ball, $5.95, by Abbott
Medium red deep bowl, $41.95, by Abbott
Small red deep oval bowl, $8.95, by Abbott
Cardinal teapot, $24.95, by Candym
Button holiday napkin ring, $4.95, by April Cornell
Crystalline table runner, $89.95, by Danica
Garland embroidered table runner, $67.95, by Danica
Holiday Holly ½ pint mug, $37.98, by Emma Bridgewater
Bordeau cake stand, $59.95, by Indaba
Gold mini acorns and pinecones in a box, $3.65, by Indaba
Versailles 5-piece plate setting, $28.95, by Indaba
Bronze and gold beaded round placemat, $16.95, by Muti
Amaryllis in terracotta pot, $119.95, by Natural Decorations, Inc.
Nonstick ramekin, $6.95, by Maxwell & Williams
Gold round charger with crystal edging, $8.95, by Maxwell & Williams
Gold round charger, $4.95, by Maxwell & Williams
Sugar and creamer, $14.95, by Maxwell & Williams
Glitter ornaments, $28.95 for set of 24, by Samaco
Gold pleat candle ball, 3.5″, $9.95, by Samaco
Lily small fringe glass tray, 4.5 x 4.5, $18.95
Oxford refillable butane candle flame lighter, $34.95, by Social Light
Cake, by Marish's Boulangerie Inc.
““ All items available at Zest for Living, 6 Elizabeth Street South, Port Credit; 905.486.0191; zestforliving.ca