Give add a festive zing to your tables
Rashmi Gopal Rao
With the festive season ringing in, styling the furniture is one of the easiest ways to add sparkle and festive zing to your home. Here are some tips and tricks to do up your centre and dining table:
Natural finish
Go for natural and eco-friendly accessories. Experiment with a crochet or kantha table cloth or even one reimagined through an old sari, table mats of natural materials like bamboo, handloom or even plantain leaves. Locally sourced flowers like mogra, marigold and champa, accompanied by candles and table runners, are a great idea. Place different potted succulents in a galvanised tray for visual impact. “For a large table, place foraged flowers and branches in a vase for effect. Fresh evergreen boughs and pinecones are a classic decor. For outdoors, beautify the table with a sculptural piece of driftwood,” says Hemil Parikh of Elysium Abodes LLP.
Style cues
It is time to take out the silver. Polish it and let it speak for you at your centre table. “Place large pieces of silverware inwards and the medium-size ones in their periphery. Set the dining table with mats, quarter plates, dining plates and cutlery from left to right. Place napkins with rings on the plates. You may like to place a flower on each plate,” says Vandana Sarawgi of SR Artefacts.
Opt for décor elements in contrasting colours. For instance, if your table is dark brown or black, go for décor items in gold or brass. For tables in white wood, choose elements in bold hues like red, yellow or blue. For a traditional dark wood dining table, choose a long maroon ikkat print table runner and adorn it with brass décor elements. For a contemporary dining table in light brown wood or white wood, opt for a short table runner in pastel colours.
Do it yourself
Get creative. Place small aromatic candles in mason jars and embellish the jars with macramé covers for warm, cozy vibes. “Fill a transparent vase with sticks or branches dipped in peppy colours. Wrap these sticks with string lights to add radiance to the space. If you have extra ceramic mugs, paint these in bright colours and intriguing designs to create statement décor pieces. Bring out empty wine or champagne bottles and splash some vibrant colours on them with a toothbrush,” suggests Saloni Khosla of Pepperfry.
