Setting the Table for an Australian Christmas
Find out how an interior stylist introduces a festive feeling for her dinner guests with a native Australian centerpiece
This year, Melbourne, Australia, interior stylist Jessica Viscarde of The Eclectic Creative Studio vowed to show the world what a summery yet festive table looks like Down Under, and she teamed up with photographer Kate Hansen from The Room Illuminated to get the decorative job done. See how she put together a contemporary Christmas table with an Australian twist, using a simple color scheme and native flora.
To reflect the Australian Christmas theme, Viscarde chose a palette of green and gold, selecting brushed-gold elements for a simple and rustic effect. Off-white tableware offsets the table, anchoring the design with a warm and inviting tone.
Native greenery comes into play through fresh eucalyptus leaves and Geraldton waxflowers (Chamaelaucium uncinatum) that Viscarde picked up at local markets.
Native greenery comes into play through fresh eucalyptus leaves and Geraldton waxflowers (Chamaelaucium uncinatum) that Viscarde picked up at local markets.
Building the Centerpiece
Viscarde created the centerpiece by cutting branches of fresh eucalyptus and layering them on top of one another to create a foundation for the waxflowers. “I just kept adding layers of branches until I felt there were enough. No need to fasten or tie; just place them neatly in different directions in the center of the table,” she says. “Experiment with different lengths and overlap the branches so you cannot see the cut ends.”
Viscarde created the centerpiece by cutting branches of fresh eucalyptus and layering them on top of one another to create a foundation for the waxflowers. “I just kept adding layers of branches until I felt there were enough. No need to fasten or tie; just place them neatly in different directions in the center of the table,” she says. “Experiment with different lengths and overlap the branches so you cannot see the cut ends.”
Once she added the layer of eucalyptus, Viscarde filled in gaps in the branches with waxflowers, using roughly a 7-to-3 ratio of eucalyptus to flowers. “I bought two bunches of eucalyptus to one bunch of waxflowers for this table,” she says, “and had some left over to continue the theme in vases or on a mantel throughout the rest of the house.”
Adding Votive Candles
Once she had positioned the greenery in a lush line along the center of the table, Viscarde nestled complementary votive holders in brushed gold around the flora. “I liked the texture of these votive holders, as they have a lovely reflection and a tactile air that creates impact,” she says.
Viscarde placed a candle in each holder to light before guests sit down. “This will create a beautifully ambient glow,” she says, “but make sure the greenery is not touching the candle where the flame will be.”
Votive holders: Freedom
Once she had positioned the greenery in a lush line along the center of the table, Viscarde nestled complementary votive holders in brushed gold around the flora. “I liked the texture of these votive holders, as they have a lovely reflection and a tactile air that creates impact,” she says.
Viscarde placed a candle in each holder to light before guests sit down. “This will create a beautifully ambient glow,” she says, “but make sure the greenery is not touching the candle where the flame will be.”
Votive holders: Freedom
Drinks Are Served
So as not to steal the show from the centerpiece, Viscarde chose simple glassware, including clean-cut water glasses and champagne flutes. She added a water carafe with a wooden stopper, perfect for the natural setting.
So as not to steal the show from the centerpiece, Viscarde chose simple glassware, including clean-cut water glasses and champagne flutes. She added a water carafe with a wooden stopper, perfect for the natural setting.
Viscarde always makes sure there is water on the dinner table, to keep guests hydrated between drinks. “I like to spruce up the water with fresh mint, lime and ice cubes,” she says. “This greenery is also in keeping with my chosen theme, but if, for example, red is your accent color, use raspberries, cranberries or strawberries. On the day, top up guests’ glasses with a sparkling prosecco or apple juice and toast the occasion.”
Water carafe: West Elm
Water carafe: West Elm
Perfecting the Place Settings
Viscarde’s take on place-setting style is a happy medium of smart and casual. She chose off-white for her tableware as a warmer alternative to white, and placed napkins with a golden geometric design under the bowls. To complete the look, she placed a sprig of fresh rosemary at the top, to tie each place setting to the leafy centerpiece.
Viscarde’s take on place-setting style is a happy medium of smart and casual. She chose off-white for her tableware as a warmer alternative to white, and placed napkins with a golden geometric design under the bowls. To complete the look, she placed a sprig of fresh rosemary at the top, to tie each place setting to the leafy centerpiece.
She added woven placemats as another layer and to reinforce the rustic effect. “Treat table styling the same as the rest of your house, so add layers and opt for different textures to add interest and appeal,” Viscarde advises.
Tip: “Cutlery generally works from outside in, so whatever you will need in the first course will sit on the outside and so forth,” Viscarde says.
Gold cutlery, placemats and napkins: West Elm; tableware: Sorrento in Nougat, Freedom
Tip: “Cutlery generally works from outside in, so whatever you will need in the first course will sit on the outside and so forth,” Viscarde says.
Gold cutlery, placemats and napkins: West Elm; tableware: Sorrento in Nougat, Freedom
Other Tableware
“I like to display some of the complementary servingware on the table,” Viscarde says. “I find it a great way to organize and lay out the table before the food arrives. It is a great planning tool that I use over and over again.”
Wood platter and gold servers: West Elm
“I like to display some of the complementary servingware on the table,” Viscarde says. “I find it a great way to organize and lay out the table before the food arrives. It is a great planning tool that I use over and over again.”
Wood platter and gold servers: West Elm
Tell us: Do you decorate your dining table at Christmas? Take some photos of your hard work and show us in the Comments section.
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“I really love Christmas, and a favorite area that I like to decorate in preparation for the family get-togethers is the dining table,” she says. “It is a lovely and thoughtful way to show your guests and loved ones that you care, and an easy way to create that festive feeling while dining.”