Setting the Scene

Your Christmas table is just as important as the turkey, so to make it extra special this year we asked industry experts for some inspiration

- Natalie Boruvka

Simply romantic

While on a two-year apprenticeship in Provence, stylist Adelaine Breedt of A Little Thing Called was struck by the effortless elegance with which the French entertain. “I learnt that simplicity is often the foundation for a stylish table and this is the approach I took here.”

The veranda at Langkloof Roses function and wedding venue in Wellington was the setting, and to add a touch of formality, Adelaine arranged traditional rattan-backed chairs around a table draped with a linen overlay. “Linen is light, natural and perfect for summer, but it’s also wonderfully luxurious. I let it puddle on the floor for a sense of extravagance that’s fitting for Christmas.” She also used linen to make napkins and tablemats with pockets for cutlery.