Deck your dining table in style

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Designers serve up holiday tablescape tips

Whether you’re hosting a formal dinner party, casual brunch or the main event this holiday season, set the scene by decking your dining table in enchanting style.

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“Christmas tablescapes are important to creating a festive and inviting dining experience,” says Diana Bastone of Diana Bastone Designs in Maple.

Her tips begin with choosing a colour palette. “Stick to two to three main colours that complement each other,” she says. “Traditional reds and greens are classic, but you can also opt for golds, silvers, blues or even pastels for a modern twist.”

Next, Bastone recommends layering table linens. Start with a tablecloth, then add a runner and/or placemats. “Mixing textures like burlap and silk adds depth and interest.” Incorporate natural elements such as seasonal greenery, pinecones and/or seasonal flowers. “Fresh herbs, like rosemary or thyme, can also add fragrance and a rustic touch,” she says.

Bastone offers other tips:

• Mix and match dinnerware. Combine different sets of plates, glasses and utensils for an eclectic look. “Just ensure they share a common theme or colour to maintain cohesion,” she says.
• Create height variation. Use candle holders, stands or stacked books to vary the height of your centrepieces. “Tall candles or arrangements create a dramatic effect, while shorter items keep conversations flowing.”
• Add personal touches. Incorporate personalized place cards, handwritten notes or small gifts at each setting. “This adds a heartfelt element that your guests will appreciate.”
• Incorporate various sizes of scent-free candles for a warm glow.
• Incorporate seasonal décor, such as ornaments, winding fresh greens and small wrapped packages; clusters of ornaments or small Christmas trees; or themed figurines.

The team at Crate & Barrel offers the following tips for creating a memorable holiday tablescape:

• Use evergreen branches for an easy way to create a woodland atmosphere. Introduce weathered or natural wood in light or dark finishes to bowls, platters or birch candles.
• For a Christmas centrepiece, try a vintage trough or a modern wooden bowl planted with asparagus ferns. Add painted pinecones in varying sizes for dimension and interest.
• If you don’t want a centrepiece, create an evergreen runner with fresh pine boughs and pinecones. You can also use live miniature trees wrapped in burlap and held in place with raffia.
• For a more subtle look, choose a tablecloth in a complementary colour. Try gathering the fabric into elegant ruffles to create a soft nest for other décor.
• Add metallic décor elements such as trees, reindeer or nutcrackers to lend seasonal luxury to the table. Mix gold, copper and silver metals or stick to a monochromatic colour theme. Prefer warmer hues? Mix cranberry-coloured table décor with gold flatware and dinnerware.

Designer Natalia Hara, co-founder and creative director for One Group Build, a full-service design and new build construction and renovation company based in the Greater Toronto Area, suggests going beyond traditional table linens when creating a tablescape.

“Incorporate fabric or themed motif napkins, chargers or even decorative runners and throws for an extra layer of visual warmth. Choose rich textures that compliment your colour palette,” she says.

“Instead of a traditional table runner, consider using a bold fabric like velvet or a seasonal patterned fabric that complements your theme. Layer different fabrics for added depth.”

Hara also suggests using some unique serving items. Using decorative wintery platters, tiered stands or rustic wooden boards will elevate and showcase your dishes and enhance the visual look of the table, she explains.

Create a multi-layered look with cake stands or risers to display various elements at different heights. “This adds visual interest and draws the eye across the table” Hara says.

Her final tip: “Add a personal touch by adding a keepsake tree ornament placed atop each place setting or wrapped around your napkins that will coordinate and further complement the overall table décor theme.”