Need some inspiration for holiday hosting? Get inspired by these ideas and tips from six Irish tablescape pros …
Helen Turkington, Helen Turkington Interior Design
My interior style centres around beauty and comfort. I believe a home has to feel welcoming and hospitable, as well as look fabulous. I love to cook – I actually trained under Prue Leith and briefly entertained a career in catering – so, to me, the dining table is the heart of the home. We eat with our eyes, so it’s important to set the right scene with your tablescape. Your table should be given as much thought as any other part of your holiday décor.
I always start with a lovely tablecloth for texture and then add candles, baubles, garlands and wreaths to my traditional dining ware. For a special occasion, layering is key: lots of candlesticks of different heights, crystal glassware, silver or gold chargers, matching napkin rings – anything metallic will reflect the candlelight for extra sparkle.
I’ll be hosting Christmas at home this year for family and friends, and I’m torn between two tablescapes: a moody, tartan, Ralph Lauren-inspired hunting lodge vibe, or our fabulous linen tablecloths sprinkled with gold and silver stars which I particularly love as it allows me to go in two directions. Between Christmas and New Year, I can then easily switch it up using different coloured tapered candles, ribbon, baubles and seasonal foliage. I’m a maximalist festive tablescaper and overall Christmas freak, so I cannot wait! @helenturkingtondesign www.helenturkington.com
Annie Dunne, AD Event Design & Acquerello Home
This Christmas, I’ll be heading to the countryside to spend the festive season with my family, a tradition I cherish every year. My mum takes on the cooking and does it with such flair. I act as her somewhat unreliable sous chef and feel my role should be changed to chief taster!
However, setting the table is something I enjoy. This year, I’ll be combining my mum’s timeless white and gold tableware with a few pieces from my Acquerello collection. The holly and reindeer sandwich plates will be perfect for canapés, while the holly bowl will be used for lots of roast potatoes. For dessert, the big ski platter will take centre stage, with the pudding surrounded by holly. And no Christmas table would be complete without my boozy crackers, guaranteed to bring a lot of laughter as the little bottles of alcohol come shooting out.
To create a cosy and festive atmosphere, I love using lots of candles, mixing elegant taper candles and tea lights, paired with flower arrangements to add texture and colour. Bringing the outdoors in is always a highlight, especially with the gorgeous natural winter foliage, which makes foraging a joy at this time of year. It’s these little touches that make Christmas so magical for me. @acquerello.home www.acquerellohome.com
Laura Horgan, founder the LNH Edit
I’m really excited about spending this Christmas with my family at home. It’s going to be a quiet one this year and I’m living for it. The run-up to Christmas is particularly busy and fun for us in work, but I’m ready to hang up my coat and switch off my phone for a while.
For LNH, I created tablescapes inspired by the seven deadly sins: Gluttony in green and white, Vengeance in red and white, and Greed, Sloth, Vengeance, Envy and Vanity all in rich colours and decadent details. My aim was to add a little playfulness to the holiday table. I’m opting for the Lust tablescape which is easily achieved by using soft pinks and crisp whites accented by shimmering gold. Luxurious textures and delicate details create an inviting ambience for the season. Lush!
The Adeline tablecloth serves as the foundation for our Lust tablescape – it’s a beautiful rectangular cloth in pink and white, hand-block printed by artists in India. Large pink velvet bows and pink roses look especially pretty paired with eucalyptus leaves and other foliage. It’s perfect for a girlie get-together over the festive period and also Little Christmas in January. @lnh_edit www.lnhedit.com
Charlotte Temple, Creative Director, Magee 1866
For my Christmas table, I stick to classic colours: reds, greens, golds. I love using natural flora – there is plenty to find in hedgerows or gardens this time of year from ivy and holly to pinecones, which I spray silver and gold. This year, we are spending Christmas in France up in the mountains, so there is mistletoe all around us. There will be lots of skiing and alpine lunches. A proper white Christmas!
Each year, I pick up a few decorations to add to my collection. This year, I’ve added some pieces from Mrs Alice, the ultimate tablescaper. I got nutcrackers and small velvet trees for the table, and found some sparkling green and gold baubles from Brown Thomas’ excellent Christmas shop. I added our own Irish linen napkins – green tablecloth and gingham. My children adore Christmas crackers, so I found some with little felt and wooden Christmas decorations. @magee1866 www.magee1866.com
Rebecca Roe, Creative Director, Hedgeroe Home
I love to include colour on my Christmas table. Definitely no grey or too much formality, it is a celebration after all! I have substituted candles for cordless table lamps this year as they add colour and light without the fear of setting anything alight. My flowers are always from the garden, so it really is very seasonal – some ivy, rose hips and the last of the hydrangeas before the frost. I keep my flower arrangements low in small votives, but a washed out jam jar does just fine.
Our big celebration is Christmas Eve when we have all the family over for a big feast, which means on Christmas day we relax and eat all the delicious leftovers. It works out well as we never have a stressful Christmas day because it is all already done.
I plan to spend the break going on lots of dog walks, perhaps a few brisk swims and finally getting the time to experiment with some of the cookbooks I got this year. @hedgeroe_home www.hedgeroe.com
Tara O’Connor, founder The Designed Table
For Christmas 2024, I’m embracing a traditional theme for my table with a classic palette of white, green and red. My dining table is glass, so I’ll be using our new hand-embroidered holly runner and napkins, which will complement crisp white linen placemats as the base. To create a vibrant centrepiece, I use a mix of fresh foliage and florals from The Potting Shed in Kilcullen, Co Kildare. Add lots of candles to add that extra sparkle and warm glow to the setting.
Menus and place cards are a must-have for any elegant table, so I’m thrilled to have Calligraphy by Laura crafting these special touches. For each setting, I add sprigs of eucalyptus. They not only look lovely, but also add a fresh scent. I love the idea of including a small gift at each place setting to surprise my guests.
To enhance the festive spirit, I’ll ensure there are touches of gold throughout the table, especially in the candles, for an extra hint of elegance and sparkle. @taradolloconnor www.thedesignedtable.com
SEE MORE: Irish Designer Rory Hutton On The Joys of Christmas Tablescaping
