DDL: The Season For Stylish Table Settings

It’s the most amazing time of the year; you’re welcoming family, raising your glasses, and maybe even stealing a kiss under the mistletoe. Christmas is fast approaching, and throughout South Africa, people are buying presents and getting their homes ready for the holidays.

But if you’re planning a holiday feast, the table needs to be as on point as your home décor, and a successful soiree always starts with a stunning Christmas table setting.

Here are 5 tips for making sure your dinner table is holiday-ready this season.

1. 1. Pick a Theme

Having a defined colour scheme not only makes the table look extra special, but it also adds a polished look, especially if your home décor is following a set theme. If you’re not sure what style to go for, classic red, green or gold always adds a traditional look. However, if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can always try one of these trending themes:

1. 1. • Scandi Chic

Combine rich reds and crisp whites with natural elements like pinecones and spruce to create a look that’s altogether Scandinavian by nature.

1. 1. • Rustic Elegance

Bring some natural elegance to your Christmas table with a floral table runner inspired by the beautiful outdoors. Think whites and greens contrasted with natural logs exude rustic charm.

1. 1. • Bright and Beautiful

Choose an opulent colour scheme for your Christmas table to create a truly jubilant feel. Consider bright pinks and greens with rich, jewel colours to see you right through the party season. Add personalised place settings and coordinating chair backs to complete the look.

1. 1. • Luxe

If you truly want to push the boat out with your Christmas table decorations this year, try ice white, lime, and purple and add some orchids to finish off the look.

1. 1. • Glamour

– Red and pinks make an unexpected but elegant festive combination. Create drama in a more intimate setting with tall candelabras dressed with flowers and trailing foliage.

2. Food for Thought

Your table setting shouldn’t just match your home décor. Consider what you’re serving and create a theme around it. Bright colours will go with a braai where a traditional roast would suit more elegant colours. But don’t stop there. You can also match the type of food you serve to your theme. Think colour, think seasonal, think fresh – less is more. Ivy, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, flowers and leaves from your garden or local market – they’re all perfect additions to your table or plate decorations for your food. No matter what style of food you have (or people bring) – present it with colour and flair.

3. Get Centred

Make a statement with a stand-out candelabra, a flower arrangement, glass fruit sculpture, or festive decoration to catch the eye and imagination. Your centrepiece should be the focus of the table, but you don’t want it to use up valuable space. Look for items with narrow bases so you can see across the table and have plenty of space left for the food. A runner of greenery and blooms is also a low-profile floral option that’s easy for guests to chat over – place down the centre of the table entwined with some battery powered fairy lights, and add a few baubles into the mix.

4. Textures, Textures and More Textures

combination of contemporary and traditional fabrics from around the world to showcase your menu. Alternatively, use a mirror tile in the centre of the table and top with a selection of glass candlesticks in different shapes and sizes. Surround with a few baubles that coordinate with your colour scheme and some festive foliage.

5. Place Cards and Accessories

No Christmas table would be complete without the crackers. To ensure the party gets off to a cracking start, make sure they coordinate with your table scheme for a perfect touch. Don’t forget the place cards and napkins. Handwritten place cards are another simple addition that brings a personal touch. Write names on tall wine glasses with magic ink pens, or pin mini blackboard clips to each setting.

Don’t forget to add details to the chairs – A personalised bauble tied or pinned to your chair frames from a length of ribbon will make every person at the table feel like the guest of honour. Plain baubles can be personalised with a metallic marker pen, then simply hung from the chair. For more drama go for a bauble cluster – thread 4 or five different sized baubles together and add in some foliage for a finishing touch.

Getting ready to host a merry feast? The DDL showroom in Kramerville, Sandton has everything you need to dress your table to the nines, while their décor specialists are on hand with more tips on how to make your Christmas dinner uniquely beautiful.

For more visit DDL.

Photography ⁄ Simon Bevan

Styling ⁄ Marianne Cotterill

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