I adore doing Christmas table settings. Actually, I just enjoy doing table settings in general but at Christmas, I feel like I can really pull out the stops and have a bit of fun with it. Because if you can’t go all out on the decor at Christmas, when can you?
While I’m normally perfectly happy to mix and match my existing stash of dishes, I was contacted by Portmeirion Group earlier in the month who have some beautiful ranges for really, any time of year. I thought teaming up with them would be a great way to share a few of their products if you’re planning your own Christmas dinner table setting. It was the Spode Ruskin House range that caught my eye for my own table because it’s so different from what I currently own. While it definitely lends itself to a more traditional look, as you can see, it can easily combine with contemporary pieces too for a nice mix and match effect.
The other thing I love about the set is that it includes various patterns that work perfectly together. Now, I’m not afraid of a bit of pattern mixing but if you are a little nervous about what would work with what, this takes any guesswork out of it as it contains three different leaf patterns in the same lovely green colourway and each works beautifully on its own or in combination with the others.
Any time you mix patterns – whether it’s on your table or on your living room sofa or anywhere at all in your interiors – one of the best rules of thumb is to combine one large pattern with one medium scale pattern and finally a small scale pattern – this combination of scale means nothing is fighting for attention and it looks pleasing to the eye. Well, the Ruskin House range does this beautifully – no guesswork required!
For my setting, I started off with the Ruskin House Oak Leaf Buffet Plate, which at 30cm was perfect to use as a charger although it would be fine to use as a larger dinner plate as well. With it’s darker evergreen background and large leaf pattern, it set the stage for the other plates I layered on top.
For my dinner plate, I chose the 25cm Wreath plate which has a more traditional border, perfect for Christmas and I love the detail of the slightly fluted edge. This becomes your medium scale pattern.
The final layer was the 23cm Thyme salad plate, again with another lovely fluted edge but covered in a small-scale tiny thyme leaf pattern – so pretty in the same evergreen colourway.
To finish off the individual place setting, I used a linen embroidered napkin with a gold napkin ring and tucked a piece of fresh holly from my garden for a little Christmassy touch. You can, of course, use a small cutting from an evergreen or a few small flowers for a similar effect. Super easy!
I wanted my table to have a good mix of traditional and contemporary design so alongside the more traditional English styling of the plates and vintage bamboo cutlery and sherry glasses, I chose a much more contemporary bouquet and vase which carried the colour scheme beautifully – a mix of fresh eucalyptus, burgundy Protea Leucadendron and tree ferns alongside blush pink roses, burgundy and pink carnations, Waxflower and Heather.
I also used a set of slim gold candlestick holders with burgundy taper candles, a blush pink woven runner and some inexpensive pink brush trees and baubles to finish off the styling.
As you can see, the Ruskin House range also includes a few lovely matching pieces – which for styling purposes I simply used some fresh greenery and baubles to fill but they provide the perfect finishing touch to your Christmas dinner. Above, is the Wreath Sauceboat (perfect for gravy!) and the porcelain sandwich tray which would work nicely for bread, a side dish or canapes and starters.
There’s also a lovely little Wreath vegetable bowl with the same fluted edge which can easily go from oven to table and then straight into the dishwasher.
Here’s a birdseye view of the whole table – I love that mix and match effect. Not just for the patterns used but also for the traditional-meets-contemporary elements. I think it works so nicely for Christmas!
I’ll be sharing more of the dining room styling in a later post but I hope you enjoyed these tips for setting your own Christmas dinner table and I’d love to hear what you think! Do you like a mix of traditional and contemporary in your Christmas decorating or do you lean more towards one than the other? Have you started planning your table settings yet? Let me know in the comments!
Plus, there are a few bloggers sharing their Christmas dinner table settings this week! So do go and check out the rest of the bloggers taking part (I’ll update the links as they go live): Rachel – The Ordinary Lovely / Jen – Love Chic Loving / Fiona – FiFi McGee
Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Portmeirion Group but as always, all images, opinions and products chosen are my own. I only work with brands I love and think you’ll like too! Thanks for supporting the brands that support Swoon Worthy.
It looks absolutely stunning, Kimberly. I love the three different patterns you’ve teamed together – and the colour too. I feel really rather festive now after reading this!
It’s a great way of saving space by layering. Great post x
Aww thank you Lucy! I’m feeling rather festive myself now!! :D xx
Your table looks amazing! And the dishware would be perfect in my dining room. My kitchen and dining area are painted in an evergreen color called Blue Spruce – which actually is a dark green. I love the pairing of the 3 different patterns and you have put it together so well. I’m sure the Portmeirion Group is happy they chose you to put their dishware on display.
My Christmas dishware is the old traditional Spode Christmas Tree pattern and since I only use it once a year, I’m in love with it all over again every time I get it out for the Christmas holiday.
Oh it sounds like this would be the perfect set for your dining room! Aww and you’re so sweet – thank you so much! I have a few smaller plates that I use for things like snacks and canapes – one set has little gold Christmas trees on them and another has Christmas words all over them and it’s such a joy bringing them out every year :) xxx
What a gorgeous table! Never would have thought I’d like green dishes but they’re so pretty with the gold.
Angela at Blush & Pearls
Thank you so much Angela! It’s a bit of a departure from my normal style too but I just love them myself – perfect mix of traditional and contemporary! :) xx
I knew yours would be glam and beautiful. You have such great taste. I love the pattern mixing, too. The green is gorgeous with the gold touches.
Aww thank you so much lovely! xxx
I would never ever choose green dishes until I saw these and I love them. Especially love the pattern mix. I also love the little black and gold candle holders used at each place setting. Are these new or some you already had? Are they available for purchase? I love using individual candles like that.
Thank you so much Margaret – it’s the first set of green dishes I’ve owned as well and I just love them so I’ve surprised myself too ;) The little candle holders are really old – I have probably had them for about 10 years and I think I picked them up from a local shop on my travels somewhere – I’m so sorry about that! xxx
This looks so lovely!! I wish I could create something this special for Christmas! Your table settings are always so impressive! Love the way the three different patterns coordinate so well though. I’d never be brave enough to mix patterns myself but these sets make it easy!
his looks so lovely!! I wish I could create something this special for Christmas!
Oh My Goodness this is looking so awesome… I wish I can prepare something like that for my Christmas celebration
Oh my gosh Kimberly you’re making me want the whole set. I adore the mismatched plates and the gorgeous colour scheme you’ve brought in here.
Not too early to say Merry Christmas is it? :)
Thank you for linking to my table too xxx
This is the right balance for me of decoration versus space for food – I would eat very comfortably at this table! Thanks for the inspiration :0)