Small Touches For A Festive Season
STORY EUGENIA TRIANDOS & KORINA KHAMIS
"Home for the holidays" has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020. While celebrations may look different this year, some things never change - a welcoming home, glittering lights, and family dinner around a beautifully set table
While Canadian winters are cold and white, there's a world of vibrant colour and texture that's as close as your nearest fruit market. Dried or fresh berries and seasonal fruit such as clementines, pomegranates and figs are a favourite, lending the nature that we're missing outdoors at this time of year. You can fill in your tabletop centerpiece using pinecones and evergreen branches from your own backyard, which look magical when paired with a string of sparkling lights or candles and some loose ornaments nestled in.
To create a easy "tablescape," start at the centre of the table and work your way out, alternating between sides and decorations. This ensures your tabletop is well balanced, and that you won't run out of any items half-way through the process. Ensure you leave room for your cutlery and glassware and plates. Avoid using high elements in the table that block views of your guests. We prefer to go lower during the festive dinner season
Look for inexpensive tree ornaments to nestle on top of napkins for that festive touch. Or head outside and use clips of cedar branches and pinecones
Real candles provide a warm and flickering glow that artificial lights can't hold a candle to - pun intended! Nestle groups of candles all in same colour throughout your home to add some festive yet tasteful continuity. Adorn your side tables, bar cart, side board, fireplace mantel, windowsills and of course, your tablescape.
Serving trays are a great way to make your festive decor mobile. Rather than creating a huge centrepiece, scale it down and decorate a serving tray that you can remove or relocate to a different spot when it's time to eat.
Ensure you have a light dimmer to add creating a cozy more intimate atmosphere an add some wonderful festive tunes.
This bring us to the main event - dinner time! Regardless of formal or casual the meal is, ensure you've set the table correctly with dishes and silverware forks corresponding to the courses served, working your way inward. Mix and match your family heirlooms passed down from Mom or Grandma, with the new wares you've purchased, creating a rich and storied aesthetic.
You may be celebrating the holidays with a small, intimate dinner, but you can still maximize your enjoyment the season.
Designers Eugenia Triandos and Korina Khamis, are co-founders of Hibou Design & Co. With well over a decade of collective experience, this Montreal- based multi-disciplinary design firm has become known for creating stylish and well-curated interiors. The firm provides complete bespoke residential design services throughout Canada & North America.
Visit hiboudesignco.com for more information.