Christmastime Accented with Red

I've set another holiday table in what we call the 'game room' (because it's perfect for board games and card games) or the 'garden room' (because it opens onto the lower patio by the pond). I would rather have set it in the dining room, a room that lends itself to larger displays and elegant settings. But I couldn't because we are in the midst of renovating the kitchen. The rooms on the first floor are shrouded in plastic and the dining room table is covered with the stuff you normally stash in the kitchen. The renovation was supposed to begin in September, but it was the first week of November before it did. We can't get to where we store the decorations so haven't been able to decorate the house for Christmas. Ah, well...

But I can get to my Christmas dishes to set a proper table for our Christmas lunch! I started with some of the elements I used in last week's Twelve Drummers Drumming -- holly placemats, pine cones and berries.

Since this is set for lunch, simple dinner plates will do. These belonged to Greg's grandmother and I remember many wonderful Christmases spent eating lunch at her house. I love the unusual shape of the plates and the deep green stripe along the rim.

Last week's centerpiece has been placed in a vintage hammered aluminum bowl my mother received as a wedding gift. Bottle brush trees are clustered on either side, echoing the Christmas trees on the plates.

Toys cluster underneath the tree.

Hem-stitched napkins are held by satin ribbons. Pine cone picks beneath the plates repeat the centerpiece.

A few weeks ago we escaped the construction chaos and went to an antique mall held monthly in Atlanta. I happily came home with this candy dish.

These cute engine and caboose salt and pepper shakers look like they've just jumped off the plates!

They were joined by another set of shakers.

The table design is based on green, but red touches here and there provide festive accents.

I also tweaked the decorations on the buffet, keeping the candle holders and berries, but replacing the magnolia leaves with fresh clippings from one of our camellias.

Not only are camellias evergreen, but they bloom in winter. Nearly hidden by the teapot's handle is a bud about to blossom. The teapot and matching cake plate are similar in design to the plates. I love their candy cane flourish!

I thought we'd treat ourselves to chocolate martinis (the only kind of martinis I like, lol!). The glasses have red and green glass embedded in the bowl and in stripes that crisscross down the stems. We received these several years ago as a holiday gift.

I like using traditional reds and greens for the holidays. The colors are warm and comforting, and they can be combined in so many ways.

I just love this boot full of toys!

I hope this inspires you to use simple accents to set a pretty table for the holidays. Even in the midst of renovation chaos!

Merry Christmas!

Table resources
Plates | Nikko 'Christmastime'
Teapot, cake plate, train S/P shakers | Spode
Toys, gift S/P shakers | Fitz & Floyd
Placemats | Lenox 'Holly Damask'