JOURNAL

Alice Welch takes great pleasure in decorating and laying her Christmas table. Setting the table the night before can really add to the anticipation as you arrange the finishing touches to your Christmas day, here she shares her love of Christmas and how she likes to set her perfect Christmas table.

"I grew up in a very open plan, modernist house and my parent’s taste was eclectic but sparse. The minimalism didn’t impose on Christmas however, when every room was decorated and the house transformed.

Music was really important to Dad. He loved to listen to classical music as he drew. Because of that we had the most up-to-date sound system, with two 5 foot wide speakers. We would welcome Christmas day in to Jim Reeves’ mellow baritone reverberating around the house, everyone fizzing with excitement. If by chance it was a White Christmas then it was especially enchanting, because of the snow settling through the full floor-to-ceiling windows.

My Father’s design for Old Hall Tableware of the stainless steel Alveston Carving Set and Carving Dish came out every Christmas, so ‘the bird’ always made a dramatic entrance and was carved to perfection. We also always ate with Alveston (now RW2) and I have an original set I often use on my own Christmas table, but I also use other patterns. Radford is a firm favourite, which I have used here.

A question to ask when laying a table is whether you prefer a sparse, clean, modern setting or something more luxurious and rich? Personally, at Christmas I love an opulent table setting – full place settings, sparkling glasses and dramatic centrepieces. It evokes those special feelings of warmth and relaxation, a mood that embraces your guests and makes everyone feel welcome and content."

"I grew up in a very open plan, modernist house and my parent’s taste was eclectic but sparse. The minimalism didn’t impose on Christmas however, when every room was decorated and the house transformed.

Music was really important to Dad. He loved to listen to classical music as he drew. Because of that we had the most up-to-date sound system, with two 5 foot wide speakers. We would welcome Christmas day in to Jim Reeves’ mellow baritone reverberating around the house, everyone fizzing with excitement. If by chance it was a White Christmas then it was especially enchanting, because of the snow settling through the full floor to ceiling windows.

My Father’s design for Old Hall Tableware of the stainless steel Alveston Carving Set and Carving Dish came out every Christmas, so ‘the bird’ always made a dramatic entrance and was carved to perfection. We also always ate with Alveston (now RW2) and I have an original set I often use on my own Christmas table, but I also use other patterns. Radford is a firm favourite, which I have used here.

A question to ask when laying a table is whether you prefer a sparse, clean, modern setting or something more luxurious and rich? Personally, at Christmas I love an opulent table setting – full place settings, sparkling glasses and dramatic centrepieces. It evokes those special feelings of warmth and relaxation, a mood that embraces your guests and makes everyone feel welcome and content."

"I love the softness of candlelight so try to set the table including as many candlesticks and tea light holders as I own! Some are used as part of the floral displays too. To create interest on the table, it helps to use different heights and textures. These layers build up and create a landscape of features.

I enjoy really thinking about the design and colours that I’ll use to lay my Christmas table – in 2019 my table colours were rich purple, green and burnt orange! This year warm coppers highlight rich greens to create a palette which can be punctuated with handcrafted, vintage, luxurious or minimal notes as you choose. It is always nice to include a cherished heirloom or two, or something as a reminder of those who perhaps can’t be round the table to share Christmas.

To stop your table just becoming a jumble of everything you like, my rule of thumb is to keep consistency with shapes or colour. For instance, start with the cutlery and choose candlesticks or glassware that follow the same forms and style. I always follow the correct cutlery layout, and glassware in the order of drinks service as it was drummed into me by my parents!

Select key pieces, cutlery, glassware or candle holders, or a lavish centrepiece, and build your style around them to make this Christmas your own. I like to introduce unexpected details and natural elements like foliage, nuts and satsumas, topped off with mini wrapped gifts and handwritten place cards.

One thing is for sure, for me it just wouldn’t be Christmas without Jim Reeves singing, flickering candlelight and plenty of pigs in blankets!"

"I love the softness of candlelight so try to set the table including as many candlesticks and tea light holders as I own! Some are used as part of the floral displays too. To create interest on the table, it helps to use different heights and textures. These layers build up and create a landscape of features.

I enjoy really thinking about the design and colours that I’ll use to lay my Christmas table – in 2019 my table colours were rich purple, green and burnt orange! This year warm coppers highlight rich greens to create a palette which can be punctuated with handcrafted, vintage, luxurious or minimal notes as you choose. It is always nice to include a cherished heirloom or two, or something as a reminder of those who perhaps can’t be round the table to share Christmas.

To stop your table just becoming a jumble of everything you like, my rule of thumb is to keep consistency with shapes or colour. For instance, start with the cutlery and choose candlesticks or glassware that follow the same forms and style. I always follow the correct cutlery layout, and glassware in the order of drinks service as it was drummed into me by my parents!

Select key pieces, cutlery, glassware or candle holders, or a lavish centrepiece, and build your style around them to make this Christmas your own. I like to introduce unexpected details and natural elements like foliage, nuts and satsumas, topped off with mini wrapped gifts and handwritten place cards.

One thing is for sure, for me it just wouldn’t be Christmas without Jim Reeves singing, flickering candlelight and plenty of pigs in blankets!"

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