There is so much pressure around December: to roast a turkey, to deck the halls, even to see most of your address book "before Christmas" (let's not forget they will still be here in the new year!). I always stick to these tips which mean I can focus on what I love rather than being tied to a stove.
I've lost count of the number of festive dinners and lunches I've hosted over the years so wanted to gather together a photo album of some of my favourites to inspire you... Alongside some ideas I hope you find useful.
TIP 1
Colours
At this time of year, festivities are typically awash with scarlet red, forest green and glitzy gold but less typical shades can be just as celebratory. I love to experiment with the contrast of pink and forest green, as well as ruby and dusty azalea. A table in inky blues would look gorgeous against winter pine and white roses.
TIP 2
Personal Flair
I'll always aim to have a flourish of personality to elevate the table. I never like my tables to look too perfect - I leave that to restaurants and hotels - this is dining at home and should feel happy and intrinsically linked to the host’s personality! Overall, there's a fine balance between too much and just right when it comes to tables. Being a maximalist, my ‘more is more’ approach means I might not always strike it!
£140.00
- Description
- Care
- Composition
A perennial favourite for the table, green is as beautiful for a festive celebration as a spring alfresco party. Blooming with Rosanna’s hand-drawn midwinter English bouquet of flowers and berries, this deep sage colour flourishes with joy. It is finished with a 6-inch stripe edge.
The drawing was traced and carved into a wood block; a meticulous process that requires exact techniques handed down through generations. The tablecloth was then hand block printed by the talented artisans with whom she works in Jaipur.
Printed by hand, no two tablecloths are ever quite the same. Block printing is an expert heritage craft, whether it is the deft, delicate touch required to carve the motifs from teak or pear wood, or the light, exact tap used to stamp onto fabric.
Standard: 180cm x 280cm
Large: 180cm x 380cm
Pictured: 280cm standard size (note the hem was dropped closer to the floor for the photo shoot)
Plates: Good Earth
Glasses: Rayt
With thanks to Deeppura Garh
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Do not bleach. For air drying, please avoid direct sunlight. To tumble drying, please use a low heat. The product can be ironed on a low setting and dry cleaned. Full care guidelines here.
100% Indian cotton
TIP 3
Flowers
For flowers, ranunculus have just come into season... Their delicate, densely packed petals make them the peony of winter for me! Cotton looks like snowballs and brings fluffy texture to a bouquet. As for foliage, branches of pine, fir and spruce make an elegant centrepiece with pillar candles. It will smell delicious too!
TIP 4
Space
I don't serve food at the table, instead I serve guests in the kitchen or we pass the sides round. The 'family style' of eating is modern but my table at home just isn't big enough. It's so important the tablescape doesn't inhibit conversation and fun though: always keep flowers below the eyeline so guests can talk and make sure there's elbow room between your candles and flowers!
TIP 5
DIY
My favourite way to decorate the house is to thread eucalyptus, ivy and berries through hanging icicle fairy lights on the wall. So simple and effective.
I’ve always upcycled brown parcel paper for wrapping. Its simplicity against bright ribbons to tie it is so elegant.
£140.00
- Description
- Care
- Composition
Rosanna's first design - Jaipur Bloom - in a new green colourway. This design began with Rosanna's drawing of a rose. It was then carved into a wooden block and stamped onto cotton. Block prints are usually regular and symmetrical in design but this tablecloth is unique with a naturalistic layout of flowers placed at random. Rosanna spent many happy hours with the highly skilled blockprinters getting the scattered roses just so!
The roses are printed in shades of sage and forest green. The tablecloth is white in the middle with roses falling through the hem.
Tablecloths are shipped in specially printed rose drawstring bags made from excess fabric.
Due to this piece’s print layout, no two tablecloths are the same.
Pictured: 180cm x 380cm
Sold in two sizes:
170cm x 270cm
180cm x 380cm
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Do not bleach. For air drying, please avoid direct sunlight. To tumble drying, please use a low heat. The product can be ironed on a low setting and dry cleaned. Full care guidelines here.
100% Indian cotton
TIP 6
Dazzle
Fix vintage brooches onto the centre of bows to tie napkins and cutlery. They are easy to find in charity shops or buy a 'job lot' of brooches inexpensively on eBay - you receive an eclectic mix of designs.
The joy of Christmas is returning to that box of decorations that you use every year. Those decorations that can be passed down from generation to generation are so special. If you do buy ornaments, buy good quality and take pleasure in using them again and again... Christmas comes but once a year!
TIP 7
Recipes
Finally, the recipes I turn to time and time again. I always seek out recipes that can be made ahead, like these.
Christmas Curry (vegetarian / vegan)
Soy Salmon
Spiced Chicken Tagine
Chocolate Meringue Mousse Cake
Hazlenut Pavlova with Spiced Roast Fruit
Chocolate Peanut Caramel Tart (vegan)
£95.00
- Description
- Care
- Composition
Rosanna drew this print based on a bouquet from a midwinter English garden: ranunculus, hellebore and myrtle berries intertwine on an indigo blue base. The drawing was traced and carved into a wood block; a meticulous process that requires exact techniques handed-down through generations. The tablecloth was then hand block printed by the talented artisans with whom she works in Jaipur. Finally, it is finished with a 6-inch ruffle edge.
Blue is a timeless, elegant choice for the dining table, as apt for New Year’s Eve as a summer lunch party.
Printed by hand, no two tablecloths are ever quite the same. Block printing is an expert heritage craft, whether it is the deft, delicate touch required to carve the motifs from teak or pear wood, or the light, exact tap used to stamp onto fabric.
Standard: 170cm x 270cm
Large: 180cm x 400cm
220cm round (coming soon)
Pictured: 270cm standard size (note the hem was dropped closer to the floor for the photo shoot)
Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Do not bleach. For air drying, please avoid direct sunlight. To tumble drying, please use a low heat. The product can be ironed on a low setting and dry cleaned. Full care guidelines here.
100% Indian cotton
Credits
Photography: Georgia Meramo
Flowers: Wild At Heart
Mistletoe plates: Portmerion x Sophie Conran
Taper candles: Candle Flair
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Shop The Collection
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Entertaining A Crowd
Tips and ideas for hosting large numbers for a sit-down dinner at home.
Colour with Edward Bulmer
Festive tips from our pop-up and tablescape masterclass at Edward Bulmer Natural Paint.