Setting the Scene for an Australian Christmas
Find out how a pro interior stylist introduces a festive feeling to her dining table with a native Australian centrepiece
This year, Melbourne-based interior stylist Jessica Viscarde from 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. Read on to see how she put together a contemporary Christmas table with an Australiana twist, using a simple colour scheme and native flora.
To reflect the Australian Christmas theme, Viscarde chose a palette of green and gold, purposely selecting brushed gold elements to ensure a more simple and rustic effect. Off-white or ‘Nougat’ tableware offsets the table, anchoring the scheme with a warm and inviting tone.
Native greenery comes into the scheme through fresh eucalyptus leaves and Geraldton wax flowers (Chamaelaucium uncinatum) that Viscarde picked up from her local markets
Native greenery comes into the scheme through fresh eucalyptus leaves and Geraldton wax flowers (Chamaelaucium uncinatum) that Viscarde picked up from her local markets
Building the centrepiece
Viscarde created the centrepiece by cutting branches of fresh eucalyptus and layering them on top of one another to create a foundation for the wax flowers to sit on. “I just kept adding layers of branches until I felt there were enough,” she says. “No need to fasten or tie, just place them neatly in different directions in the centre of the table. Easy peasy. Experiment with different lengths and overlap the branches so you cannot see the cut ends,” she adds.
Viscarde created the centrepiece by cutting branches of fresh eucalyptus and layering them on top of one another to create a foundation for the wax flowers to sit on. “I just kept adding layers of branches until I felt there were enough,” she says. “No need to fasten or tie, just place them neatly in different directions in the centre of the table. Easy peasy. Experiment with different lengths and overlap the branches so you cannot see the cut ends,” she adds.
Once she added the layer of eucalyptus, Viscarde started filling gaps in the branches with wax flowers, using roughly a 70:30 ratio of eucalyptus to flowers. “I bought two bunches of eucalyptus to one bunch of wax flowers for this table,” she says, “and had some left over to continue the theme in vases or on a mantle throughout the rest of the house.”
Votive candles
Once she had positioned the greenery in a lush line along the centre of the table, Viscarde nestled complementary votive candle 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.”
Brushed gold candle votives: Freedom
Once she had positioned the greenery in a lush line along the centre of the table, Viscarde nestled complementary votive candle 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.”
Brushed gold candle votives: Freedom
The drinks are served
So as not to steal the show from the Australiana centrepiece, Viscarde choose simple, pared-back glassware for the scheme, with clean-cut water glasses and champagne flutes. This is matched with a water jug with wooden stopper, perfect for this natural setting.
So as not to steal the show from the Australiana centrepiece, Viscarde choose simple, pared-back glassware for the scheme, with clean-cut water glasses and champagne flutes. This is matched with a water jug with wooden stopper, perfect for this 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 explains. “This greenery is also in keeping with my chosen theme, but if for example red is your accent colour, use raspberries, cranberries or strawberries. On the day, top up guests’ glasses with a sparkling prosecco or apple juice and toast the occasion.”
Water jug: West Elm
Water jug: West Elm
Perfecting the table setting
Viscarde’s take on a table setting is “a happy medium of smart-casual”. She chose off-white for her tableware as a warmer alternative to white, and placed lattice napkins with a geometric golden sheen under the bowls. To complete the look, she placed a fresh sprig of rosemary at the top, which ties each place setting to the leafy centrepiece.
Viscarde’s take on a table setting is “a happy medium of smart-casual”. She chose off-white for her tableware as a warmer alternative to white, and placed lattice napkins with a geometric golden sheen under the bowls. To complete the look, she placed a fresh sprig of rosemary at the top, which ties each place setting to the leafy centrepiece.
Woven placemats add another layer to the table setting and 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,” says Viscarde.
Gold cutlery, placemat and napkins: West Elm; Sorrento tableware 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,” says Viscarde.
Gold cutlery, placemat and napkins: West Elm; Sorrento tableware in ‘Nougat’: Freedom
Serveware
“I like to display some of the complementary serving ware on the table,” Viscarde says. “I find it a great way to organise and lay out the table before the food arrives. It is a great planning tool that I use over and over again.”
Timber platter and gold servers: West Elm
“I like to display some of the complementary serving ware on the table,” Viscarde says. “I find it a great way to organise and lay out the table before the food arrives. It is a great planning tool that I use over and over again.”
Timber platter and gold servers: West Elm
TELL US
Do you decorate your dining table at Christmas? Take some snaps of your hard work and show us in the Comments section.
MORE
A Feast for the Eyes: Christmas Lunch Table Settings
Christmas DIY: Ombré Christmas Tree Mural
Houzz Call: Show Us Your Christmas House
Do you decorate your dining table at Christmas? Take some snaps of your hard work and show us in the Comments section.
MORE
A Feast for the Eyes: Christmas Lunch Table Settings
Christmas DIY: Ombré Christmas Tree Mural
Houzz Call: Show Us Your Christmas House
“I really love Christmas and a favourite 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.”