’Tis the season for entertaining! That means—in addition to trimming the tree, wrapping the presents and stuffing the turkey—you’ve got to bring out all the stops for your holiday table. Need a little inspiration? Take a peek at these festive table settings, from the simple and sophisticated to the bright and bold.

Photo: Phil Crozier

Tradition, Schmadition

If you’re not a fan of green, red and white holiday decor, take a cue from designer Amanda Hamilton. She constantly experiments with colour and texture in her own home, and this tablescape is no exception. Blush-pink placements, vintage rocks glasses and a centrepiece of cedar boughs, pine cones and candles give the table a fresh and feminine feel. Meanwhile, the bright blue dining chairs, Moroccan pillows and Zoë Pawlak artwork lend a cultural, contemporary touch. See more of Hamilton’s non-traditional holiday style.

Photo: Francesca Albertazzi

Berry and Bright

This tablescape from Francesca Albertazzi has it all! “Layers, colour and natural elements are at the core of my holiday decorating,” she says. A vintage off-white linen tablecloth, patterned cotton fabric and homemade floral napkins form the foundation—but of course, the designer didn’t stop there. She also added colourful dishware, foraged berries, magnolia branches and brass candlesticks. The result? A warm, enchanting and festive look. Find out how to replicate this table design.

Simple Plan

“You don’t need to do a whole lot to decorate for the holidays,” explains designer Aly Velji. “It can be as simple as changing out a few pillows and adding holiday greens and small, festive touches.” Case in point: a neutral table runner, a collection of candlesticks and a few gold accents were all it took to create this showstopping table setting. Check out the rest of this Scandinavian-inspired holiday look.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Holiday Trimmings

December is the perfect time of year to bring out your glitzy decor—but just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Designers Jillian Harris and Francesca Albertazzi decided to take a more restrained approach when decorating this 1890s heritage home. Gold-rimmed plates and glasses are the only glam elements on this holiday table. Get more tips for pulling off this Christmas look at home.

Photo: Tracey Ayton

Green Christmas

Photographer Tracey Ayton went all in on the lush, wintery greenery when decorating her Boundary Bay beachfront home for the holidays. There are cedar boughs and fresh wreaths everywhere, from the mantle and the bannister to the coat hooks in the entryway. The dining table also features them—plus a few potted mini-Fir trees. Steel chairs and grey faux-fur throws counterbalance the natural elements and add a touch of glamour. Peek inside this Christmas-ready home.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Peachy Keen

Is pink the new red? Designer Ami McKay seems to think so. She added peachy-pink blossoms, coral napkins and pepper berries to this tablescape, which she designed for the 2021 Kids Help Phone Homes for the Holidays tour. The house has a relaxed, beachy vibe so she kept things simple with the rest of the table setting, adding just a sprinkling of nosegays and a couple cake stands. “It’s imperfectly perfect, deconstructed and natural,” she says. Tour the rest of this West Vancouver home.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Double Duty

Homeowner Sarah Duyker says she likes to keep entertaining casual. Hence this non-fussy holiday look, brought together with help from designer Sophie Burke—there are just a few festive touches, including the halo of greenery that hangs from the light fixture. The rest of the table setting is special enough for a Christmas dinner, but also simple enough for the non-holiday season. See more of this Scandi-cool home.

Gold Standard

Adding navy to your holiday look can be tricky, but designer Neelam Gurm knows the secret to pulling it off. “I think it’s human nature to want to add more,” she says, “but sometimes exercising a bit of restraint makes a space more elegant.” It’s why the colour only appears in a few select places on her table. The gold flatware and charger plates help to lighten things up, too. Learn how to get this navy, white and gold Christmas look at home.

Photo: Janis Nicolay

Seasonal Sustainability

To create this holiday tablescape, Gaile Guevara searched through the homeowners’ Christmas decor (and cabinets) for anything and everything that could be repurposed. And she didn’t stop there. The designer also collected cuttings from the garden so that she could dehydrate and preserve them for festive arrangements. “The number-one thing in sustainability is reducing what you buy,” she says. Discover what else was recycled and repurposed for this holiday look.

 

This story was originally published December 4, 2023.