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!
- 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 350cm
Sold in two sizes:
170cm x 270cm
180cm x 350cm
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.
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)
Product Title
- Description
- Care
- Composition
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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