Season's Eatings

Entertaining over the holiday season? Make every meal an occasion to remember with these unique table settings

1 Fresh flowers are a lovely way to add some glam to your table setting this summer. The orchid is such a stunning flower you don’t need much else to create impact. The delicate pink of this dish and tablecloth teamed with burgundy and gold details creates a truly elegant look.

Living & Co Coast dinner plate, $2, from The Warehouse. Salt & Pepper gold-rim glass plate, $34.95, from Farmers. Charm cutlery, $89 for 16 pieces, from Freedom. Cotton tablecloth, $24.99, glass votive, $7.99, bud vase, $12.99, from H&M Home. Cocktail glass, $29.95, from Green With Envy. Other items stylist’s own.

2 If you’re spending time at the beach over the holidays, this relaxed table setting will serve you not only on Christmas Day but throughout the summer season. This scheme is all about texture, with a relaxed linen tablecloth, whitewashed placemats, textured dinner plates and palm-frond place settings. Add a little glow with coconut-shell tealight holders.

Textured dinner plate, $2, from Kmart. Ultimate Essentials cutlery, $34.95 for 16 pieces, from Freedom. Rattan placemat, $19.90, drinking glass, $17, from Green With Envy. Hampton white linen tablecloth, $79.99, from EziBuy. Rattan coasters, $39.90 for 6, Dine linen napkin, $12.90, from Citta. Coconut tealight holder, $30, from Annabelle’s. Other items stylist’s own.

3 This unexpected colour combo of peachy coral and soft lilac isn’t a traditional holiday colour scheme, but the addition of a small bunch of red berries instantly creates a festive feel. One way to keep costs down when it comes to table decorations is to sew your own linen napkins. These are easy to make. Simply take some linen in your preferred colour and sew around the edges to make a tidy border. Use any spare linen to wrap small presents and team them with a gift tag.