A Christmas dinner date

The festive period is upon us and 2020 if FINALLY coming to an end: that is reason enough to celebrate and plan a Christmas dinner table that is a treat to behold. Whether you like traditional reds and greens, glitz and glam or a colourful collection of baubles here is a little something to help create the foundations to your dream festive dining setup. 

Top Left: Tribe Dubai Top Right: JYSK Bottom: West Elm 

Take your seat

If you have a small studio or a vast castle (lucky you), just for two or a whole clan you need a table and chairs to dine upon.  Think about the versatility of your dining area, will you be working there when the festivities end? Do you need a crafty area for the kids? 

Benches are great for tucking under and giving you more space while keeping your eye line clear just add in some contrast chairs and you have a stylish place to eat. You may need to have a table that extends to give you that extra room when required, think about how many you need to fit round and if its a concealed leaf or additional ends that add in. What about a table that is durable and won't mark easily - a metal or conrete table top is just the ticket. A round table is sociable and great for a small space. Whatever you choose, you will hopefully enjoy lots of fun times dining with friends and family (obviously when COVID disappears) 

Top Left: Zara Home Right: Bound No.82 Plates: H&M Home

Set the table

This season I am all about natural woods, stoneware and some crisp china adding in some clean lines with the roughness of wood to add contrast to your table. A tartan table cloth, cotton or linen napkins will add softness to your tablescape. I like using plants and flowers in the centre, springs of rosemary tucked into napkins rings, they add aroma. If you want to keep it festive think about mistletoe or holly. 

Top Left: Home Centre Top Right: Ikea Bottom: HKliving @ Urban Nest

Cheers

You need a selection of good looking glassware that matches, a water glass, a wine glass and a hot drink cup. These festive mugs just bring joy and a splash of colour to the table. You could use them to serve your deserts if you so desire. Make sure you have the correct glassware for each drink, water glasses, red wine, white wine, champagne there is a lot to think about. Plan your drinks with your courses and have them ready to roll. You do not have to invest lots of money, nobody is expecting crystal! 

Top: Wood Culture Bottom Left: Home Centre Centre: Carrefour Bottom Right: Pan Emirates

Boozy 

If it's for the booze to be rolled out, to use as a food trolley to trundle out the turkey and trimmings, or just to stack your glasses on and look cute: a drinks trolley is a must. Rattan for the boho vibe, white for a minimalist feel, black mental and wood for an industrial interior and gold to add the glitz. These four fulfil all interiors, and would look great while you play hostess. (even if its just for your immediate family this year) If you only need it to transport food for dinners you can stack stunning books, vases, plants and other trinkets when not in use to make it work for you. 

Meri Meri

Go out with a bang

Crackers are fun, colourful and a great addition to the table. They get everyone chatting, telling jokes (albeit bad ones) and wearing dorky hats. My go to for party crackers, kids decor and all things fun and colourful is Meri Meri. Available directly or from a number of retailers including Ace Hardware and Mumzworld in the UAE. Their crackers and paper napkins are always on the kitsch side adding that festive fun that is required, no more so than in 2020! 

The Wallpaper Effect

Wallpaper is having a major moment. With lockdowns throughout the world people have been getting handy and deciding to do those long awaited home improvements themselves. Pinterest pinning, instagram following every trend imaginable for your home interior has brought one to the forefront: wallpaper. No longer reserved for a feature wall, everyone is going bold, ceilings, full rooms, panel inlays, you name it wallpaper has got you covered. 

left top: @kfddesigns

right top: Pinterest

bottom: Sofie from @threeboysandapinkbath

Ceiling wallpaper:

The newest trend is wallpapering your ceiling. If you have a great ceiling height and want to keep the walls plain then this may be the fun trend for you. Adding drama up high may sound drastic, and it may not be for everyone but if you are up for something a bit quirky then why not! 

 

Top left: Wallpaper Direct

Bottom and Top Right: Rockett St George

Effects wallpaper:

If you are wanting to add some period charm, a rustic feel or a textural element then some effects wallpaper may be the right choice for you. You can have pretty much any effect possible in a wallpaper: without the hassle of having to learn how to frame a wall - just fake it! 

top image: Pinterest

bottom image: @ElsieLarson

Removable wallpaper:

This is the best for people in rented accommodation or those that change their minds frequently. Removable wallpaper is basically giant stickers that you plop on your wall that promise to not damage the walls when removed. There is a great selection available and all easy to hang by yourself. 

Full room wallpaper:

For the bold take a victorian trend and make it modern. The whole room in one paper is very 'of the minute' currently and some even paper the ceiling. Cole & Son have used this technique in their recent campaigns with great effect. Make sure your room can 'take it' though as if not it could be very overwhelming and you could feel like you are in a patterned box. Another top tip would be to keep the furniture and accessories to a minimum. 

main image: The Modern Nursery

top inset: Dupenny

bottom inset: Rachel Powell @ This Modern Life

Kitsch & Cute:

Fun and quirky wallpaper that adds a smile to your face. Ideal for kids rooms, an office or anywhere else you want to add some light hearted charm. It may not last your mood every year, so better to keep this in an area you just want to add a little splash of fun.