Are you in need of some holiday inspiration?
In
need of some help when it comes to decorating for the holidays? Roxanne
Packham shares ideas for making your home beautiful and inviting in her
book, Inspired Design. Below are tips for setting a beautiful
holiday table.
Drawing
from a rich family history and her own collection of acclaimed designs,
California-based interior designer Roxanne Packham has joined with her
teenage daughter Hannah to create Inspired Design (Inspired
Design Publications), an idea-provoking book filled with stunning
photographs, treasured family traditions and a plethora of truly
inspirational tips for creating a warm and welcoming home, not just
throughout the holiday season, but every day to follow.
Whether
seeking unique ways to entertain for the upcoming holidays, celebrate
with friends, begin new family traditions or showcase the family
history, talents and passions in the home’s interior design, the
Packhams have shown the way. In doing so, they have utilized the
beautifully structured pages of Inspired Design to reveal the
classic truth that any home is made more beautiful when it is filled
with love, joy and the determination to make those who enter it feel
welcomed.
10 Tips for Setting a Beautiful Holiday Table
By Roxanne Hughes Packham,
Co-Author of the Hospitality Book: Inspired Design
In
today’s rough economic climate, keep in mind that although I hope to
inspire you to set a beautiful Thanksgiving or Christmas table the real
beauty comes from the thought and love you show your friends and family.
Beautiful tables comprise equal parts from the “Inspired” & the
“Design” categories. See examples: http://www.
Inspired
~Place cards
I
love to use the ceramic place cards that can be written on with a
wipe-off marker. You can quickly write people’s names, a favorite quote
or sentiment. Friends love that you thought about them before the dinner
and even something as simple as writing their names on the place cards
really makes them feel remembered.
~Welcome Sign
It
is so welcoming, to have a sign somewhere near the front door to greet
your family and friends. From a very personal “Welcome Smith Family” or a
seasonal “Merry Christmas” to “We are so glad you are here” on a casual
chalkboard or an elegant mirror or glass framed, and write with a
wipe-off marker, that welcome sets the tone for the rest of the event. I
used an antique French cupboard door and painted it with chalkboard
paint on the raised panel part.
~Quote or Scripture
The
most inspirational part of the Holiday table is the beautiful quotes
and scriptures. It depends on the occasion, but a quote that is either
inspiring or focused on gratitude is the favorite. There is nothing like
feasting your eyes, and then your thoughts, on what we can be thankful
for, especially as an example for our children. Scattering them around
the home (powder room, end tables, above door jam’s) is a great way to
elevate your family and friends thoughts.
Design
~Fresh Greenery
Sometimes
we mistakenly think a tabletop has to have flowers as a centerpiece to
be really elegant and festive. Greenery is a wonderful, fresh and
festive way to make a beautiful Christmas table. Simply cut a few small
twigs of trees/bushes like pine or ivy, or my favorite boxwood branches,
bay tree and magnolia leaves and put them in three smaller glass or
crystal vases.
~Candles
No
table is complete, in my opinion, with 5 to 7 little glass votives with
white candles in them. The light sparkles and makes everything else on
the table more beautiful and sets a soft, relaxing, often more romantic
tone.
~Seasonal Piece
By
seasonal I suggest a “Santa” figurine or such, a gingerbread house, or a
standing cross to have in the center of the table. A clear jar of candy
canes, M&M’s or such would do just fine, as well. Think: Something
available only at this time of year. I usually have plenty of items in
the Holiday Decor that I switch out to put on the table for each dinner.
~Napkin Rings
These
can be such a pretty way to pull a linen napkin through to set on a
place and make a really beautiful table setting. You can use french
ribbons, or plain silver rings and they help to really make a bigger
impact for an inspiring table.
~Sparkling Glasses
Whether
crystal or glass, tall freshly washed glass sparkle so much with the
votive candles that it is hard to wrong with this combo. A tall glass
and short glass of whatever kind you like is very dramatic and
beautiful, set together. Whether colored or clear the sparkle is crucial
for the holiday table.
~White Plates
Although
I love to use seasonal chargers and salad plates a crisp white plate is
the most beautiful element to my favorite tables. They can be dressed
up or down, and makes each setting look fresh and not heavy and
overdone.
~Seasonal Linens
Of
course, linen napkins add the most wonderful touch of elegance to any
table, and Christmas plaid or red and green are no exception. My
grandfather, who was a “Silversmith to the Stars”, loved a bare table
with only plates (or placemats) but wasn’t a fan of covering a beautiful
wood table. I have followed suit. Try leaving the wood table bare! The
natural elements together is beautiful and simple.
“I
tell you, the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh
Inspired Design
by
Roxanne and Hannah Packham
Inspired Design Publications
ISBN 978-0-9844563-0-7
152 pages/hardcover/$40.00
Copyright: Roxanne and Hannah Packham. Article used with permission.
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