From My Christmas Table to Yours

Christmas table with Braquenie fabric

The time has come to wish all of you who celebrate a very Merry Christmas. Longtime readers know that one of my favorite aspects of the holidays is setting my Christmas table. This year I wanted to stray from the traditional color scheme with something seasonal and festive but a little different. I adore the Pierre Frey Braquenié fabrics with their combination of historic significance and French elegance and have long loved the classic Le Grand Corail. An 18th century tree of life pattern on a vermiculé background, it has movement and detail in beautiful colorways that feel particularly relevant today.

Christmas table with Braquenie fabricI have quite a long dining room table and it is often difficult to find interesting cloths that fit so an obvious option is to have something made. I desperately wanted to use the blue muliticolored version of Le Grand Corail as it is a wonderful complement to my celadon based Limoges patterns.  The challenge was that, originally made on old looms, the fabric has a width of only 31.5 inches. Happily, friend and colleague Kim Huebner, who effortlessly wears many hats in the Pierre Frey NYC showroom (marketing, PR and showroom manager), came up with a brilliant solution. A coordinating fabric. with it’s two striped pattern, could be divided to serve as borders on either side.

Christmas table with Braquenie le Grand Corail

Not only did it solve the width issue but it made for a more finished and interesting tablecloth. And the blue and gold colors offered the opportunity to bring in many of my favorite amber and gold accessories.

blue and gold Christmas tableI always try to learn from the many accomplished designers I cover here and one takeaway has been how a pop of black can add a graphic punch to any scheme. Here my Mottahedeh chargers and photophores from Howard Slatkin offer that hint.

Quintessence Christmas table

And in working with local florist Flowers and Flowers, I requested anenomes for the same reason. In discussing the centerpiece, I brought in my fabric, expressed wanting a subtle nod to the blue and gold and they did a beautiful job interpreting my request. I love how the blue thistles and gold sprayed grevillea work together adding color and texture.

Christmas table arrangement

Hoping all of you who celebrate will be at your own Christmas table with friends and family. And wishing you the happiest of holidays with, as always, a grateful note of appreciation for your continuing readership!

christmas table

13 thoughts on “From My Christmas Table to Yours

  1. Merry Christmas. I am certain the company and the repast would equal your sumptuous setting. I would linger a long while in the quality of such a winter wonderland. Beautiful.

  2. Merry Christmas! Your table is stunning! It would be an honour to dine at such an exquisite table. Enjoy this very special day. Blessings to you in the New Year!

  3. Your table is breathtaking!! Trust me when I say how much your thought, time and talent are appreciated. franki

  4. Buattaful!
    One of my classic prints to use- just call me a copycat!
    Merry and Happy, Marioops Buatta.

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