Table accessories are extremely popular right now,” says buyer for tabletop at Maxwell & Williams Susi Nicklisch. “Think trivets, platters and coasters that can double as artful decorations, once all the food has been eaten! We’re also seeing people mixing and matching with eclectic combinations of colours and patterns. Foliage is always on trend with a focus on organic materials.”
HB acting editor Katrina O’Brien encourages us to dig out the best china. “If you’re not already using it every day (which I thoroughly recommend), now is the time to get out your special dinner set,” she says. “With bigger numbers around the table, sometimes pieces are stretched, so look to merging two dinner sets to go the distance,” Katrina suggests.
“Christmas tableware is easily woven into your existing every-day dinner settings,” says HB acting associate editor Gavin Kirk. “Especially if you’re working from a neutral base. Layer with pieces that feature a touch of festive colour that you can pick up elsewhere in your decorating scheme.”
“Gold is always a popular accent colour to use at Christmas time, there is the obvious connection of celebration but it’s also an excellent tone as it pairs beautifully with a large range of colours,” says Susi. “White is always classic and we’re seeing it mixed with tones of blue and green, which pairs back with the organic materials and foliage that’s on trend – using colours of nature.”
Pull out your favourite platters to fill with show-stopping centrepieces of ham, pork and an assortment of cheese and charcuterie.
Things don’t have to be completely streamlined to make it beautiful – think outside the square for a look that’s unique to you and your own Christmas celebrations. “My sister started a tradition of using mis-matched vintage plates for each dessert,” says Katrina.
Susi’s essentials for styling a Christmas table:
Lunch
White Basics keep it easy and breezy, letting the food speak for itself. Bring in colour and themed designed with platters and servingware.
Drink dispensers are hugely popular at the moment and a great way to take the pressure off the host as people can serve their own drinks.
Dinner
The gold detailing on our Swank and Yuletide collections bring the luxe look to the Christmas dinner table.
What would Susi’s dream Christmas table look like?
“Glassware filled with delicious cocktails, opulent and fully laden place settings, accessories of fruit and native greenery, and full bellies with lots of laughs.”
Remember to capture the moment before guests arrive and, dare we say, pop it up on Instagram?! “Lighting is essential to getting the perfect shot,” says Susi. “Luckily, here in Australia, it’s more than likely the sun will be shining brightly on Christmas day which helps a lot. An aerial view is ideal for capturing all your hard work, so use a chair, ladder or very tall family member to help you out.” Share your Christmas table with the hashtag #hbmystyle
Merry Christmas!
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