Kirby Adams sits down with Bliss Home store interior designer, Lee Ferris, to get the scoop on how you can spruce up your holiday table Astrid Hacker/Louisville Courier Journal
Pull the wreath off your front door, use dish towels in place of napkins and throw a tiny rug on the table. It's time to think outside of the box when setting your holiday table.
Lee Farris, an interior designer at Bliss Home, 1108 Lyndon Lane, shows us what a difference a few well thought out, and unusual additions can make when decorating for the holidays.
Here are five different tables with their own character and pizzaz sure to turn a meal or party into something truly festive and memorable.
And there's not a poinsettia anywhere to be seen.
Winter table with sparkle and shimmer
For a modern take on the holiday table, switch up the color scheme and use your creativity to turn things up a notch this season.
Farris started her elegant party table with a (new) Mongolian sheepskin throw. "I thought it looked like a beautiful snowfall."
She arranged various silver and glittered accessories and candles on the sheepskin to create a shimmering centerpiece.
More: It's not Christmas without homemade cookies. Check out these 5 local recipes
"If you are using candles on the table, place them in groups in varying heights and containers," says the designer. Placing candles in groups on top of a mirrored tray can also provide additional twinkle.
Pro Tip: Place votive candles in clear glass containers filled with kosher salt to look like snow. These are also nice to lay out next to each individual place setting.
Sophisticated centerpiece to use all winter
Don't be afraid to use color combinations outside of the traditional red and green.
"This year we are seeing Christmas color trends of white and parchment for a natural monochromatic look," says Farris. "Also a most unusual and striking combination of cream, brown and purple."
A three-tiered centerpiece created with mixed elements of cascading cream colored wooden beads and spheres, shiny white glass pears, decorative brown wooden fabric stamps, small metal sculptures (ornaments doing double duty) and lavender create a gorgeous show stopper for the center of a holiday table.
Setting up for the holidays: A gardener’s guide to picking the perfect Christmas tree
Pro Tip: "You don't have to decorate with poinsettias at Christmas time," Farris says. "There are so many other flowers and plants, like lavender, which add an unexpected and beautiful splash of color to your table."
Christmas breakfast table
A few added touches make this table extra special on Christmas morning.
Rather than napkins, Farris sets her table with dish towels. This unexpected table linen is fun and they are big so they are functional and, best of all, easy to launder with no ironing.
Her table runners are layered to add color and texture. Small white porcelain bowls with holiday sayings at each place setting make a thoughtful gift.
The centerpiece is made from different sized cake stands decorated with oranges, pinecones, candy, greenery and ornaments.
Read this: Follow these tips to become a gift wrapping expert this Christmas
Farris uses ribbon to tie a personalized stocking to each person's chair and fills it with small treats and greenery to coordinate with the centerpiece.
Pro Tip: Continue your decorations beyond the table. A mirrored tray holding candles and greenery on a side table is an elegant addition to your holiday trimmings.
Dress up a simple snack table
It's the holidays, so why not go that extra step?
Dress up a snack or dessert table and even include small but thoughtful gifts for your guests. Don't worry. This doesn't have to be an elaborate setup. Simply fill a wooden tray or a basket with colorful Christmas balls, a sculpture or maybe a child's toy, like a small teddy bear, and add greenery.
Fill small cellophane bags filled with cookies or candy tied off with a pretty bow and add them to the centerpiece.
Sweet tooth: Treats for everyone! 5 holiday candies to sweeten the Christmas season
If this is a dessert table, place larger food items around your centerpiece. Or use a decorated table to display small gifts for your guests, such as dish towels with painted wooden Christmas ornaments attached.
Pro Tip: Flowers and greens are wonderful for a table top but why not add something unexpected? Farris suggests, "Use a Checkers game board as a base to build a whimsical red and black centerpiece or use scrabble tiles to spell out the names of your guests rather than place cards."
Quick and easy last minute fix
Forgot all about a centerpiece for your table this year? Not a problem. Simply take the wreath off your front door, or you can actually plan ahead and use a wreath just for this function.
Place it in the center of your table and fill the center with a plant.
Pro Tip: A glass container of holiday candy, small wrapped gifts or a mound of red and green apples and pears is another nice touch for the center of a table wreath.
Holiday home: Tour this glitzy condo to help inspire your Christmas decorating ideas
Above all, know that you don't need to spend a fortune to decorate for the holidays. Look around your home and remember to think outside of the traditional green and red Christmas box this season.
Putting together a festive dining room table is an easy way to create a warm and joyful setting for your celebrations.
Reach Kirby Adams: 502-582-4336; kadams@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kirbylouisville. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/kirbya
MORE CHRISTMAS IDEAS
For more decorating ideas, visit Bliss Home in Westport Village, 1108 Lyndon Lane., or call them at 502-212-0014.
