Decorating & Design
From The Archives: Dining Rooms Fit For A Holiday Feast
Updated on April 25, 2025
Set the scene for a magical holiday meal with inspiration from these dining rooms, straight from the pages of H&H. These lush and layered tables offer festive ideas for place settings, centrepieces and rustic holiday decorating. Scroll down!
Matthew and Rick Bettencourt keep their holiday decorating natural, favoring neutral earth tones over greenery.
Dried florals foraged from their country property are set in oversized vintage vessels, and each dinner guest gets a wrapped gift instead of Christmas crackers.
The homeowner of this Vancouver townhouse wanted a dining table that could double as a workspace, so designer Negar Reihani designed a custom golden table that creates a magical display during the holidays. An ornate gold-framed mirror adorned with a lush garland adds festive flair.
When decorating a more contemporary space, you can ditch the big poinsettia in a pot in favor of a deconstructed arrangement on the holiday table. For her clients in Kitsilano, B.C., designer Ami McKay buys a bunch of greens and ranunculus, and divides them into small containers. “I wanted warmth with contrast, and also deep color to reflect the black tones in the kitchen,” she says.
Ami McKay buys flower bundles and then deconstructs them with greens and ranunculus. “I wanted warmth with contrast, and also deep color to reflect the black tones in the kitchen.”
Set the scene for holiday meal by artfully embellishing your napkins with rick rack — this allows you to customize your palette. Use Gorilla fabric glue and and cut the ribbon the exact length of the fabric. Glue rickrack ribbon onto a plain napkin about ¼” away from the edge and iron in place.
Turn a winter day into a crafting session with a DIY napkin holder with a Scandinavian vibe. Here are the full directions for how to make this DIY felt napkin holder.
Designer Kelly Deck sets the table in this light-filled dining room. “We chose to use rich, muted tones throughout,” she says. In keeping with the nostalgic vibe, Kimberly sourced antique velvet ribbon and accents on Etsy in the U.K.
Holiday Style Steal: Set a mini gingerbread house at each place setting for a surprise as guests sit down to dinner.
“For me, the holidays are about clementines, natural boughs and greenery that make the house smell wonderful,” says homeowner and designer Cynthia Zamaria. In her magical dining room, she topped the table with fresh pomegranates, dried orange slices and an eclectic mix of candles.
Lynda Reeves skips traditional color and poinsettia when she decorates her table for the holiday. Rose gold placemats are topped by the simple plates and a combination of Waterford crystal champagne flutes, stemless rose-colored tumblers and painted water glasses. “The napkins in chartreuse linen are an old set that I treasure for the amazing color that’s so hard to find.” Handmade crackers Lynda’s handmade modern art crackers) are the finishing touch.
This historic cottage in Chester, Nova Scotia, is a storybook setting for Christmas dinner with mix-and-match china, vintage cranberry glassware and simple roses in bud vases.
Designer Alison Milne layered her dining room table with a delectable charcuterie board which pops against the mulberry-colored runner. This casual style of grazing is perfect for an intimate family gathering.
In this enchanting farmhouse, a spacious harvest table with mismatched chairs suits the charm of the old stone walls and exposed beams on the ceiling. An antique baker’s rack displays the homeowner’s collection of Wedgwood and ironstone dishes.
“With this table, it’s all about mixing and matching,” says designer Aly Velji of his holiday home. “We layered a simple white linen table cloth with hand-painted, geometric-patterned placements, rectangular plates, vintage floral-inspired accent plates and brass cutlery for some bling. I also used vintage glassware that I have been collecting for years. Plus, fresh florals are a must for any table. Evergreens and eucalyptus are my favorite.”
This maximalist dining room in a Georgian holiday home shines with a tablecloth made from Moroccan wedding blankets. A floating floral arrangement is an unexpected alternative to fresh greenery.
Rich browns and golds are balanced by a graphic mudcloth runner and a classic cream plate for a look that feels fresh and modern. A pinecone is an unexpected, rustic touch.
Creative director Tara Hurst proves that sometimes, less is more in her farmhouse-style dining room. White serveware, casual linens and plenty of fresh greenery is the secret recipe for highlighting the antique French bistro chairs and built-in hutch.
“While we have to sacrifice not having all of our loved ones around our table, there’s no need to compromise high style,” says event planner Lisa Marie Godinho. “Mixing various textures adds dimension to this tablescape — from luxurious velvets to lush greens and richly-colored florals.”
Emerald green and soft gold is the perfect color combination for a special occasion. Hammered weights are an alternative to a napkin ring in rustic burlap napkins, and addd instant depth and dimension.