Setting the table for Christmas lunch can for some people involve as much effort as decorating the tree. In recent years, table settings have become more thoughtful and often increasingly decadent, coining the expresssion ‘tablescaping’.
The term tablescaping was first mentioned in the 1960s by interior decorator David Hicks but has gained popularity through Instagram accounts dedicated to this art. Think of it as dressing your table but in as simple or as an extravagant style as you wish.
But what does tablescaping actually encompass? Is it difficult thing to do? How do you choose what style of decoration to go for?
To answer these questions we turned to Melanie Johnson, Food Editor at Country Life magazine who is known for her beautiful table settings which are showcased on her Instagram account @melathomeltd. Melanie explains, ‘Your tablescape creates an atmosphere so think about colour tones and what feeling you’re aiming for. Maybe you want to create a warm and cosy atmosphere like you would find in a chalet in the mountains with snow falling outside, or maybe you would like a more classic design of white, green and silver which nods to frosted blades of grass on a crisp Winter’s morning. Either way, start with the essentials of your crockery and glassware and then run with your idea, adding or taking away decorative elements until you feel you have the right balance.’
Melanie has kindly shared her top tips on how to create a table setting which will show off your Christmas lunch (or breakfast!) to perfection:
- Try using furnishing fabrics to make tablecloths, using the pattern to dictate the scheme of the table setting.
- Creating a tablescaple doesn’t need to involve a dedicated shopping trip. I love to mix up new crockery with older and antique pieces – not everything has to match but it can be harmonised.
- Whilst I love the classic festive combination of red and green, it doesn’t have to mean holly print napkins and tablecloths. It could be a beautiful piece of fabric printed with red flowers which forms the foundation of your table setting.
- Think about using pieces of velvet ribbon as napkin holders to give texture and a luxury feel to your Christmas table.
- Flowers and foliage always bring a table alive. Mini poinsettias, especially white and pale pink ones, look lovely dotted along the table, creating a focal point around which you can add other elements. You don’t have go to the florist though – have a look outside in your garden and nearby hedgerows. Firs, ivy, evergreens and of course holly can be put together in small vases to make a simple yet effective display.
- Look for Christmas crackers which harmonize with your chosen style. My go to brand is Nancy & Betty as they have beautiful, unusual prints and are also sustainable too.
- Candles or fairy lights always add a lovely finishing touch adding uplifting warmth to a table and of course a very flattering light for those around it!
- Tablescaping doesn’t have to be restricted to the Christmas lunch table. I love a festive breakfast table setting – it can be more relaxed in style and use natural linens and simple foilage which can then be added to for the main event.
Finally, Melanie reminds us that the most important part of tablescaping is having fun creating your setting!
Merry Christmas!