4 unique and elegant ways to set your table this Christmas

Christmas is a time for family, friends, and of course, good food. The conversations we have over shared meals create lasting memories – the taste of your family’s galets soup, the smell of the pine needles from the Christmas tree, and the sight of beautiful china dishes your grandma only takes out for Christmas dinner. Join us as we delve into the art of tablescaping with Luzio’s interior design guru, Maria José Gómez, and discover her tips for creating textures, volumes, and colours that coexist harmoniously to create an eclectic yet personal table-setting style this holiday season.

Vintage, sentimental and classic

The first table setting in Gomez’s arsenal embodies a truly vintage theme and is presented in a classical colour scheme using an abundance of red, the main colour associated with Christmas. “For this tablescape, we used a vintage china set often found at grandma’s house. If a plate were to break, you’d be very upset,” Gomez explains. “It’s more delicate and has a greater sentimental value.”
Keeping with the tradition of Christmas, Gomez also incorporates floral wreaths often hung on doors in entryways or found on tables like this one. “The advantage of this wreath is that it can be pulled out year after year as the flowers are preserved,” she says.

Simple touches with the addition of colour

This next tablescape is similar to the classic former setting, yet a few simple tweaks create an entirely different look. The use of gold-rimmed stemware provides an antique feel, but Gomez’s tip for modernising the table is simple yet genius. “Oftentimes homes don’t have enough tableware to accommodate large groups,” Gomez says. “Using a mix of colours on the same table lends itself for a more eclectic and modern tablescape.”

Traditional meets modern elegance

The third table represents traditional Spanish style but with a punch of contemporary sophistication. “While the china we use here is from a very traditional brand, it’s a collection created with designers to modernise the style,” Gomez explains. “The dishes are hand-painted in blue but in a newer, fresher style.” Further, she utilises blue and silver shades associated with summer and the seaside, creating a more current look.

Gomez also suggests adding simple things we already have at home to diversify your table’s look. “Placing beautiful ornaments in crystal vases can be very decorative,” she explains. “Here, we place the ornaments in silver vessels and they look great together. The goal is to make it look effortless with items arranged artistically and in harmony.”

Bold distinction

The final tablescape is a bit more masculine with the use of black and gold, giving it a far less traditional look and bold vibe. “Black is not traditionally a Christmas colour, but it’s very elegant,” Gomez says. “Here, we also use black candles instead of red or gold because they go very well with white and the sparkle of the silver.” This table setting creates a much more diverse style and is a great option for the risk-takers and younger, less traditional families looking for something a little different.

In all of the tablescapes, Gomez makes a point to incorporate vegetation or things from nature, as well as candles. She explains, “at the end of the year, the light from candles brings so much to your Christmas table. Candles really bring a sense of intimacy and warmth.”

‘Tis the season.