There is something so joyful about hosting friends and family, especially during the festive season. The day is often centred around the dining table, so setting it to be a welcoming and memorable space is key. It’s all about taking your everyday dining area and elevating it through a few intentional design choices like a curated colour palette, layered textures, and adding small festive details to tie the whole look together.

Be inspired by interior stylist, Vic Byrne (@vicbyrne) and see how she crafts a festive tablescape that feels refined yet cosy. Use her styling suggestions and recreate the look in your own home for the perfect Christmas spent hosting.

Introduce the colour palette

A memorable space starts with a colour palette. Rather than sticking to traditional solid colours, Vic suggests going for a statement tablecloth, like those from Myer to create a playful, fun base that immediately sets the festive mood.

Build up the layers

Once your foundation is down, it’s all about building the tablescape with festive accents to create that holiday ambience.

Patterned crockery, like the ones Vic picked up from Bed Bath N’ Table, adds a unique layering element that feels modern and fresh.

Of course, a Christmas table setting is not complete without some festive bonbons. Pick up a few that match your theme from Adairs and lay them at each place setting to build on that nostalgic Christmas vibe when welcoming your guests to their seats.

Create atmosphere

The finishing touches are what make the setting feel distinctly festive. Vic recommends adding warm candlelight and playful accents to give the table a thoughtfully styled yet effortless feel. She goes the extra mile with mismatched taper candles from Dusk in varied heights to bring dynamic light and create an inviting glow across the setting.

Festive bows and colourful baubles from Kmart scattered throughout her lush green garland introduce charming texture and add extra pops of seasonal colour.

Sweet touches for a Christmas spent merry

A truly memorable host thinks about the full experience, from the moment their guests come through the door. Vic likes to have a sweet treat waiting, this time with mini pavlovas placed at each setting, adding an extra layer of charm while also being a delicious gesture.

When colour, texture, and festive details come together in harmony, setting the table for a Christmas spent merry becomes completely effortless. Be inspired by Vic’s styling suggestions and find everything required to craft your ideal holiday season tablescape at Northland.