Festive Styling: Tablescape tips from Bonnie & Neil
Lilli Murphy
November 2024‘Tis the season when you host, a lot. As the festive season approaches and the year winds down, we're gearing up for one of our favourite holiday traditions: the dinner party. Whether it’s Christmas lunch, or a New Year’s Eve dinner, we’re ready to embrace it all. Here’s our Bonnie & Neil guide to taking your holiday gathering to the next level, leaving your guests truly impressed and eagerly anticipating your next invitation.
Choosing your festive theme
Starting with a theme is essential to create a cohesive and memorable atmosphere. Whether you opt for a classic Christmas, a modern Australian look, or vibrant summer vibes, the possibilities are endless. Consider themes like botanical bliss, with layered greens, floral prints, and natural textures that evoke a lush, organic feel. Alternatively, a coastal Christmas might feature soft blues, sandy neutrals, and beach-inspired accents for a breezy, relaxed aesthetic. For those who love a burst of energy, vivid festivities bring bold reds, yellows, and pinks for a lively and joyful celebration.
Linens and Layers
Bring a cheerful touch to tabletop decorating with a bold tablecloth. For a maximalist table setting that celebrates the season pair your tablecloth with contrasting napery in printed linen or a luxurious embroidered finish, or choose bold striped napkins for a cheerful summer look. Whether it’s tonal, thematic, or even the same pattern in a different colour way – unifying your mix of prints and patterns with just one common element will create a feeling of cohesion.
Our Poinsettia pattern, featuring hand painted florals in a vibrant repeat pattern of red and gold on white linen, this design will spread joy beyond Christmas Day.
Centrepiece magic
Creating a show-stopping centrepiece is key to elevating your festive table. Start by using vases filled with fresh or dried florals in colours that complement your chosen theme. Add height and dimension with candlesticks or festive ornaments to create visual interest. For a seasonal touch, incorporate eucalyptus sprigs, which add texture and a subtle fragrance, tying the centrepiece beautifully into the overall décor – just make sure you leave room for your food.
We love to adorn our dinner party table with little floral vignettes and arrangements in our Bonnie and Neil carafes. Add something unexpected with our enchanting hand-crocheted ornament shaped like colourful fruits.
Tableware
Tableware and accessories play a pivotal role in injecting personality into your festive table. Vibrant pieces, from glassware and cutlery to artful plates, serve as both functional essentials and decorative highlights. Mixing and matching patterns can further enhance the setting, offering a curated yet cohesive aesthetic. Thoughtful details like hand-tied napkin rings or mini wreaths for each guest complete the look, adding charm and making each place setting feel special.
Bonnie and Neil’s glassware collection, featuring hand-blown tumblers, coupes, and carafes adorned with specks of opaque and clear coloured glass, adds a unique and elegant touch to any tablescape.
Lighting & Ambience
Incorporate candles of varying heights to create warmth and depth, casting a soft, flickering glow over the setting. Dim lighting enhances the colours and textures of your table decor, allowing each element to shine while maintaining a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Together, these lighting choices create a magical ambiance perfect for festive gatherings- no one wants to eat their main under the intensity of a down light!
Our curated collection of candles includes sculptural fruit shaped candles and scented candles in coloured dimpled glass from Simpatico.
Personalisation
The final touch to any festive table is personalization, adding thoughtful details that make the setting truly memorable. Handwritten place cards on beautifully printed paper add an intimate feel while guiding guests to their seats. These personal touches not only enhance the table's aesthetic but also leave a lasting impression on your guests.
