Planning a layout for the festive table

Yorkshire Post - Mid Week Life & Style Section - 14th Dec 2011

Interiors & Homes

On Christmas Day, families spend a considerable about of time around the dining table. Interior Designer Jamie Hempsall gives his top tips for creating the perfect environment.

When it comes to Christmas Day families spend a considerable amount of time eating – often gathered around a formal dining table. This is an opportunity to relish and you want to ensure all of your guests feel welcome. Therefore, it is vital you spend time planning your decorating scheme – it takes more than a couple of holly-trimmed napkins to create festive flair.

As with any dining occasion, practicality in your design is a key consideration. There is no point in the table looking picture perfect if it has to be completely dismantled to accommodate serving dishes and the plethora of drinking vessels that everybody may accumulate.

Given that your table is likely to be holding the maximum amount of people, it can be a good idea to try and minimise the number of serving dishes that will be placed on it. If you have the space, arrange your room so that you have a serving surface available (such as a small occasional table or even a wide window sill). If you nominate a server this will avoid your guests having to get up from the table and move around.

Centralising the serving area will also help avoid people having to reach too much across the table (with the potential for wine and candle spills that this entails). It will also free up space for glasses, condiments and sauces that can be freely passed around.

Bear in mind you will probably be spending longer than normal around your table, so check your seating is comfortable enough for an elongated session. There is nothing worse than a numb behind and comfortable guests means a relaxed atmosphere. If you think your chairs are lacking add some scatter cushions (cheap and cheerful options are available in the High St at this time of year if you do not have any to hand) to help absorb some impact.

Once the practicalities are sorted it is time to think of a theme. Keep it simple and only incorporate two accent colours (although you can use tones of these if you want a little more variety).

Use a plain tablecloth as your base canvas (cream or white are best). This will immediately give you table a lift out of the ordinary and will help highlight any decorative theme.

Start with your centrepiece and use this as the basis for choosing anything else that will grace your table. Do not feel that this has to be intricate or grand. Simple solutions are often the most beautiful. A grouping of three church size candles of difference heights (but the same colour) dressed with a beautifully arranged selection of seasonal fruit, or some carefully chosen fire-retardant baubles, will create a classic and intimate focal point for your table.

Ensure your centrepiece and any other candles, or floral arrangements that you may use, do not block the view of even the smallest diner around your table. There is nothing worse than having to conduct a conversation by tilting your head to see the person opposite.

Softer colours, such as pinky-orange and light green or warm yellow, are showing up in more decorating schemes this year and are perfect for creating a low key Christmas that may be suitable for an older family or grouping of friends. Traditional red will never go out of fashion; team this with white and gold, rather than green, to avoid holiday overload and to create a sophisticated and exciting table top. Extend the colours from your centrepiece onto the table by adding touches such as water jugs or wine glasses in matching colours.

Add a personal decoration that picks up the theme to every place setting. A simple way to do this is to make a bespoke napkin ring using a small home-made decoration and some ribbon.

Chairs can often look a little drab and underdressed, so why not give them a bit of a design boost. Take a length of 1 or 2 inch thick ribbon and tie around the top of each chair back ensuring that there is a good fall of spare ribbon down the back. Then attach a decoration that matches your table theme to the point where you have tied a bow or knot. This will look simple and effective as you approach your table – creating the perfect atmosphere from the moment your guests set their eyes upon your dining area.

Paper napkins can be a necessary evil at this time of the year, but there is nothing worse than being given a single ply cloth that barely covers your lap. Opt for napkins that are at least 30cm x 30cm and if possible look out for Linen Feel Paper Napkins as these add convenience without compromise.

Dot the top of the table with some small sweets or foil wrapped chocolates for a decorative surprise your guests will take joy in nibbling at – just make sure they leave enough room for some Christmas Pud!

Jamie Hempsall, BIID, is a multi-award winning interior designer. Visit him at www.jamiehempsall.com or call 0800 032 1180.