Dining In Style

Equally as important as the living room, our dining rooms deserve special attention over the Christmas period. After all, one of the most important parts of Christmas day is the staging of that huge dinner that the majority of us can't move afterwards! If you want to dine in style this Christmas and wow your guests with an impressive table arrangement, then again concentrate on style - your style - and the end result will definitely look like you know what you're about with your interiors and your table dressing. For example, don't go all out on red and green tartan because you think it's traditionally Christmas-y, if your dining-room is duck-egg and beige with a very retro-modern feel. Similarly, if you have a cosy traditional dining room in warm reds and gold, then the silver and black combo just won't cut it. Be sympathetic to the style of your room and its decor and take your lead from that. When you dress the table consider practicality as well as aesthetics. Don't overcrowd the table with so many trimmings and accessories that you don't leave yourself enough 'working' space for dinner and the relevant crockery and cutlery that you'll need. Sometimes less is more.

Candles and fairy lights add festive glow and sparkle to this neutral colour scheme and complement the decor perfectly. The Christmas decorations add ambience to the decor rather than detracting from it. Image sourced from HGTV

• A center-piece is essential, but again think practically. Candles create a lovely ambient effect for any dining occasion but tall ones can hinder eye contact with other diners and naked flames are not ideal if you are passing things over the table. Think about using low level tea-lights or candles enclosed in lanterns or hurricane lamps.
• Coloured glass is always effective here. If you can cleverly and safely disguise a cable, fairy lights look great entwined amongst a center-piece, although battery operation sets are now available. If you have a glass topped table be ingenious and find a way of suspending the lights beneath the glass. In this instance, instead of using a tablecloth, use a sheer voile or organza over the top of the glass with co-ordinating placemats to protect against scratches, for a really stunning and clever effect!

A new addition to our homewares section is this selective range of candles and tealights.

• Add the personal touch. Personalised place settings or napkin holders show a lot of thought and consideration has gone in to the dressing of your table and home-made ones add an even more personal touch. You don't have to be ultra creative or arty, keep it simple for best effect. Something like a pine-cone spray painted in silver or gold (or an unusual colour to match your colour scheme with a little 'touch' of glittery bling to add that magical sparkle) with a hand written name tag is sufficient. The tag can also be used for a greeting, a motto, a joke or the name of a film or book for table charades - always a good ice-breaker at dinner. You'll find lots of how to blogs online for all sorts of craft related projects like this.

• Crisp table linen is a must (except on your glass table if you're using lights underneath of course). Press your cloth and napkins before you use them so that you can't see the creases where they've been folded, for a really professional finish. Table runners are a great way to add colour and texture. Most people us a single one down the length of the table, but try using two or three across the table in parallel lines for an extra stylish look. Co-ordinate with matching napkins in your wine glasses and protect your table linen with coasters and placemats - colour co-ordinated of course.
• You can make your own table linen from cotton or damask weight fabrics, but make sure they are washable and pre-wash the fabric before hemming to finished size to avoid shrinkage afterwards.

Take a look at our great range of quality table cloths, runners and napkins, to help you get the stylish look you want for your dining table this year.

Colour co-ordinated table linen

Modern Blacks

• If you want your guests to linger at the table and not to get up and leave as soon as they've eaten, then consider how comfortable your seating is. If you have hard chairs then consider some colour co-ordinated scatter cushions for added style and comfort. Chair wraps can soften the look too and provide a far more sumptuous, comfortable inviting feel. These can be as simple as a length of voile, organza or soft velvet chenille wrapped around the back of the chair, then tied and allowed to fall naturally into a soft tail or bow.

Imagery sourced from HGTV.