Cranberry and Gold Christmas Tablescape
Welcome to this years’ Christmas Tablescapes blog hop. I have to admit, I am pretty chuffed at how this cranberry and gold Christmas tablescape turned out. And, am delighted to share it with all of you lovely readers!
Grab a beverage and settle in! I go into detail in this post as to how I go about choosing a theme, shopping my home, and adding simple touches that make your family and guests feel comfortable and welcome.
Rita, from Panoply has again put together a stellar group of bloggers who are all sharing their Christmas tablescapes! Be sure to visit the links below for all the inspiration you will need this holiday season.
I had no idea what my theme would be for this Christmas tablescape, but when I started shopping the house for things that might work, it became very clear that it was meant to be a cranberry and gold Christmas tablescape!
Choosing a theme for Christmas tablescapes
Yes, the overall theme is Christmas of course, but choosing a theme within that theme can be overwhelming. The possibilities are endless!
When choosing a theme, think about what you already have that you could build the theme around.
Will there be small children around your table? Mostly adults? Do you prefer a formal look or a laid back vibe?
Will you be serving a traditional Christmas dinner or a pot luck?
Do you keep serving dishes on the table during dinner, or on a buffet?
Last year I styled a completely different look. I went with a white themed Christmas table, and it turned out to be one of my all-time favourites! It was definitely a more formal table, ready for many courses of a formal Christmas dinner.
Admittedly, I felt like it would be a hard act to follow, I love it that much!
However, that feeling didn’t last long! I knew I wanted to style a Christmas table that suited the overall style of my home, which is English country cottage. I always want my family and guests to be comfortable at my table. But, I wanted this years table to be extra cozy and more relaxed.
I will never be a minimalist. I am a very happy maximalist in fact! Rich colours , soft fabrics and a mix of textures, plump pillows and a coffee table full of books.
It has to be comfortable for family and guests first and foremost, but I also like things to be a bit refined. Not scattered and unorganized.
So, with that in mind, I decided on an English Country theme for my table.
Styling a tablescape from the bottom up
My jumping off point for this table were these gorgeous gold charger plates I recently picked up when a local event rental company had a warehouse sale. They were just $5 each, and are made of heavy glass.
When I was bringing out all our holiday decorations I spotted this cranberry plush blanket and knew it would be so striking against the gold chargers! It also adds texture and a cozy softness to the table.
It was my plan to arrange fresh greenery down the centre of the table, but I felt that it needed something to add contrast between the dark cranberry and the rick deep greens. White would be to stark and too formal.
I remembered one I bought a couple of years ago for Halloween, that was reversible to black and white check pattern. Just the edges peek out underneath the fresh green runner, and it gives that touch of cozy informality.
After I had arranged the greenery and candles down the centre, I decided it needed a pop of cranberry. I checked my stash of ribbon and found a spool with just enough to arranged amongst the greens and candles.
But, when I stepped back to have a look, it was clear that I needed something for the centre. I didn’t have an extra gold candle, so I had to get creative!
One of my favourite Christmas ornaments to the rescue. I have had it for years, and treat it with kid gloves for fear of breaking it. It is sparkly, with gold, green, cranberry, and touches of purple so it fit perfectly with the colour theme.
Mismatched tableware makes for a less formal, cozy look
Initially I was going to use matching dinner and salad plates. These are my everyday plates purchased at Homesense some years ago. They often make an appearance on my tables.
But, after I started to set them out, it didn’t feel right. Again, all that white made the table appear more formal than I wanted.
So, I decided to use my Octagon shaped dinner plates under the plain white salad plates. The edge of the dinner plates matched the napkins that were set on top.
I chose my dark green Ralph Lauren linen napkins both for their deep green colour, and their texture.
Simple gold flatware finish off the place setting. I kept the glassware simple with bell shaped wine glass and Christmas tree teacup and saucer that match the dinner plate.
Can we talk about the gingerbread men!?
I always want to add something extra special for my guests. Christmas tablescapes are all about those extra touches after all.
This table certainly would not have been nearly as charming with these adorable decorated gingerbread cookies!
And between you and me, these gingerbread men took all of 5 minutes!
I purchased a the undecorated gingerbread men from a local bulk food store and simply mixed some confectioners sugar with water to form a thick frosting. A very simple, yet whimsical design was piped on each one.
Don’t you think they add that casual English country feel to this cozy table?
Styling a tablescape is always a labour of love for me, and this one was no exception. A combination of colour, texture, treats and seasonal elements come together to create a cozy, comfortable table that could easily be found in the country side of England as it could anywhere around the world!
Don’t forget to PIN IT for later!
I think I have nattered on long enough!
Before you head off to enjoy all the other Christmas tablescapes linked below, I have taken a few photos after the sun went down and the candles lit. The glow and sparkle makes it even more cozy!
More of my Christmas tablescapes you might like
How to Style an Elegant Christmas Tablescape
Winter Wonderland Christmas Tablescape
Be sure to visit all the lovely Christmas tablescapes below for more table style inspiration
Debbee’s Buzz – Unique Holiday Peacock Theme Tablescape
Home Is Where the Boat Is – ‘Tis The Season for Plaid & Peppermint
Panoply – Nutcracker Classic Christmas Tablescape
Everyday Living – Old TIme Christmas
My Thrift Store Addiction – Enchanted Forest Christmas Tablescape
Thrifting Wonderland – A Hunt Breakfast Christmas Tablescape
Hyacinths for the Soul – Christmas Joy
From My Carolina Home – Vintage Christmas Tablescape
The Painted Apron – December Birthday Celebration
The Little Yellow Corner Store – A Candy Land Breakfast
Life and Linda – Plaid Tidings with Santa
Pandora’s Box – Where the Treetops Glisten
Celebrate and Decorate – A Christmas Tablescape Wrapped Up for the Holiday
Me and My Captain – Snow Was Falling Gently on the Streets
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Dreaming of a Christmas White and Sweet
Dinner at Eight – Cozy, Bright and Classic – A Holiday Table
Red Cottage Chronicles – Cranberry and Gold Christmas Tablescape
The Bookish Dilettante – Christmas Sweets
Maureen, you did a wonderful job creating a cozy English cottage feel. The deep cranberry color paired with the rich green set the stage perfectly. It’s always wonderful to pull the garden indoors with natural greenery and gold accents. Your glass chargers are beautiful and really present your china well. An enjoyable visit to the English countryside. Happy Holidays!
Lynne
Maureen, your table is beautiful and I love the touch of whimsy the gingerbread men add–pinned! Wishing you a joyous Christmas season! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
I like that both of us were thinking along the lines of a cozy table for Christmas! I love your color choices — the cranberry shades are particularly lovely and play off the fresh greenery so wonderfully. I smiled when I recognized your octagonal plates for I have them too! Their shapes against those fabulous chargers make such an interesting pairing! Wishing you a lovely, merry English country Christmas!
So pretty and elegant and then the gingerbread man arrives with a touch of whimsy making the whole table completely delightful and inviting! I love the way you shopped your house, mixed and matched and came up with a very Merry result! Super creative Maureen, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Well, your theme is a favorite of mine: I love all things English country cottage. I will never be a minimalist, either! You nailed this theme! 😀
First of all, I love your color combination. It is definitely reminiscent of a traditional (yet casual) English setting. I love how all the gold, especially your gold chargers, shine and sparkle in the candlelight. Thanks for including the photos taken at night. Your simple mixed greenery foliage runner with the ribbon and ornament is classic and inspiring. I love everything about your table. Merry Christmas! ~Ricki Jill
Maureen, I really enjoyed how you took us through your styling process. Like you said, I also find setting a table is a labor of love. It’s especially satisfying to shop your own house and put things together to create a new look. Your end result is a very festive, warm and inviting table. I especially like all the greenery in the centerpiece. It’s elegant but the addition of the adorable gingerbread men makes it a table fit for children of all ages. Merry Christmas!
There is something so refined about cranberry and forest green accented with gold. It represents Christmas in the past and, for me, long time traditions. The rich colors really remind me of family Christmas trees filled with elves and gold and burgundy ornaments. Both a combination of elegance and whimsy. It also represents the great outdoors since greenery, wreaths and cranberry colors ribbons were everywhere adorning the windows and entrance ways. Such a beautiful table which brings to mind so much beauty of the Christmas season. Merry Christmas.
Maureen, my home is designed in English country style…it has always been my favorite. Your table is lovely in every way. The cranberry and green is a perfect combo. I love that you shopped your house and had a plan. The Nikko dinner plates and cups with saucers hold precious memories. My mother used this for years beginning the day after Christmas, I gave it to my SIL after she passed away. The gingerbread men add a bit of whimsy to your table. I always enjoy your thought process in designing a table. It is always a pleasure to blog hop with you. Merry Christmas!
Maureen, I love the combination of the cranberry with the gold from your chargers, candlesticks and flatware! The ribbon weaving through your greenery provides the perfect cranberry accent and I love those sweet gingerbread men at each placesetting. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Wishing you a Merry December and Christmas❣️
Maureen you did make your table English Country Cottage for sure. The cranberry and gold are perfect with the sprinkling of green weaving in and out via your Nikko plates, cup and saucer…which is a pattern I love by the way. The gingerbread men are perfect and as you said buy them and decorate…now as Ina Garten would say: how easy is that? Those little brown guys provide that English country feel to your cozy table. Have a very Merry Christmas until we “meet” again.
Hi Maureen, lovely table, with the gold candles and chargers, very elegant.
Well Maureen, I think your table this year is just as beautiful as last years, no worries about that!! I love the dark green and cranberry color combination, it looks rich and inviting with such saturated colors. The gold accents are perfect and your gingerbread men are a just enough to lighten the mood and make everyone smile!! I always enjoy your tables. Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Maureen, I think your table is lovely. This is so rich and warm. I popped over and looked at the white tablescape from last year and it was very pretty, and yes, very different from this one. I find this one warmer and cozier. I always think that burgundy or cranberry as you are calling it, is always a perfect choice at Christmas time. You offer up some great tips and ideas for people trying to plan their own holiday tablescapes. The gingerbread men on the place settings are a perfect finish, and that ornament that combines the gold and cranberry jewel tones are just right for pulling together your colors. I hope you stay warm and cozy up there in the cold north! Merry Christmas!
Boy, Maureen, you really nailed your intended them on this table. The choices of colors in the cranberry, gold and green deliver a truly rich, forest-like look. That ornament is everything! And the glass chargers at $5ea?! You really put together a lovely table, and cozy, yes. Thank you for bringing your style to the group and being a part of these hops! Happy and healthy holidays to you!