Holiday Table – Inspiration

Holiday Table Setting with Stokes

Stokes — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 00:00:29 +0000

Although the holidays may seem a little different this year, we feel as though it’s important to capture the magic of the season and bring it to your table! We have 3 different table setting styles for the Holiday season to share with you, presented by Taylor, our very own Visual Merchandiser.
We’ve included a conversation we had with her as she presented her stylings for you to enjoy and get inspired from!

If you’d like to watch her present every setting in full detail, check out our IGTV on Instagram. For a full list of all the products featured, please refer to the end of the Blog post.

Can you explain what you do at Stokes and how long you’ve been doing it?

I work as a visual merchandiser at Stokes. I have been working in this position for 2 and a half years, however, I have worked for Stokes since November of 2015. I am part of a team of 3 people responsible for sending visual directives across our stores. We do visual set-ups in one of our stores and send picture directives to the rest of the chain. We are responsible for simple section directives, monthly promotional set-ups, window displays, and many other visual set-ups in the stores each month… I was always interested in the visual aspect of merchandising. As a child, I would always go see the Ogilvy window displays with my grandparents. Little did I know I would end up creating something similar in the future…

One of my favorite aspects of my job is how I am able to express my creativity. Brainstorming with our team before the execution of a visual set-up allows for many creative ideas to be expressed and possibly executed. When we brainstorm we look through our products and we get inspired with themes such as; brunch, pasta dinner, summer BBQ, etc. Once we have our theme we begin choosing colors and creating our displays. This I would have to say is my favorite aspect of my job.

2. What are some common trends you’re seeing in table settings for the holiday season?

One of the biggest trends we are noticing for the holiday table is simplicity. When thinking of a table setting we are seeing simple, clean lines and minimal table décor. In our place settings we are inspired by our products and want to show as much as we can with different color and texture combinations, however, in your home you can choose simplicity.

Another trend we notice is the incorporation of nature in the home. Adding natural elements to your table is a simple way to bring nature inside. We do this by adding wood, marble, stone or any other natural element; even feel free to add some tree branches for décor.

3. What are some challenges you would anticipate for executing a table setting?

I feel as though 2 challenges can be identified with setting up a holiday table and these challenges are based on personal style.

To begin the holidays are normally a time filled with food and a lot of serving platters, so much so that you may run out of space on your table. In order to avoid this issue I would suggest the trend of simplicity when it comes to your table settings. You can achieve a beautiful table full of everything you need while also keeping place settings and décor to a minimum.

On the opposite end another challenge that some may face is a table that does not feel as full as they would like it to be. I have 2 suggestions in order to get over this challenge. The first is to layer, if you layer tablecloths and placemats you will fill more of the space on the table and this will have a bigger impact within your table setting. Another suggestion is to decorate, decorate, and decorate! By adding small touches of décor to your table you will see the table come alive.

Let’s get into the 3 different ways you can style your table for the Holidays:

This is our “Winter Dinner” inspired by beautiful glacial landscapes…

Second, we have our “Holiday Brunch” setting – bringing back the traditional festive colors that remind of us the holiday season, with deep reds and glittering gold.

Finally, we have our “Midnight Celebration“ which we felt was the perfect modern, elegant setting to ring in the new year or for a new year’s eve party!

We hope that you take some inspiration from these beautiful table dressings and find a way to add your own special take on it! On behalf of Stokes, we wish you a very happy Holiday season!

Featured Products:

Winter Dinner:

Holiday Brunch:

Midnight Celebration:

Shimmer Gold tablecloth / Nappe Shimmer Gold (in-store)
Paillette black placemat / Napperon noir Paillette
Paillette gold placemat / Napperon doré Paillette
Bali collection / Collection Bali
Gem Onyx dinnerware / Ens. de vaisselle Gem Onyx
Caza cutlery set / Ens. de coutellerie Caza
Minuit drinkware collection / Collection de verres Minuit
Dice set of 4 stainless steel ice cubes / Ens. de 4 glaçons en acier Dice
Mars Raclette / Raclette Mars
Leaf collection / Collection Leaf
Hingston serving set

Holiday Dining Décor Filled With Cheer

Stokes — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 12:00:34 +0000

When thinking about holiday decorating, your mind probably goes to Christmas trees, wreaths, stockings and outdoor lights, amongst other things. So does ours! Though decorating your table setting just right might not make it to the top of your list of to-dos for “Operation: Deck The Halls,” you might just want to reconsider. We’re here to show you why setting a gloriously cheerful and inviting table can make all the difference at not only your biggest feast of the year, but any holiday experience you and your guests will never forget. You’ll be itching to set a table that outdoes any you’ve set in the past, and the best part? We have tons of ideas to give you a great start!

Setting a cheerful, beautiful, and thoughtful tablescape is a great way to show your guests how pleased you are to be sharing the evening with them. It can be a fun way to bring even more yuletide glitz and glam into your home (bring on the gold, plaid and all kinds of classic holiday bits and pieces!). It also creates a first impression of the feast and can build anticipation for what’s to come: the best of tasty family traditions and show-stopping creations! Your table décor can set the tone for the entire meal: casual or formal, relaxing or upbeat. Above all, the goal of decorating a table should be to create a welcoming ambiance. Whether it is a gift for your guest at each place setting or a name card to guide them to their place without hesitation, making them feel at home is a host’s purpose.

So, this festive season, make dinning delightful with these merry and bright ideas for your holiday table décor!

1. Holly Jolly Homes: A flicker of festive cheer is an important element of any table! A candle lit centerpiece is timeless and creates seasonal charm, while the contemporary design of our Scandi House Tealight Holders (available in-stores) keeps it modern.

2. Fanciful flatware: Having some fun and getting creative with elements on your table shows guests you put time and effort into setting the table for them. Creating a special holder out of your napkin with pockets for your cutlery, like we did with our Champagne Flatware Set and Nature Napkins, is a clever way of showing off some of your crafty talents!

3. Plaid Pops: Bright red and just right for yuletide feasts, our plaid Christmas Eve open stock dishes pop against the subdued elegance of our White Pearl dinnerware set. The classic pattern will give your table an energetic feel.

4. Woodland Welcome: Evergreens are emblematic of wintery celebrations. Trimmings of greenery are always a “do” for any holiday décor and add a rustic touch to contrast a Faux Wood Charger against a red plaid Comet Placemat.

5. Hello Deer!: What’s a Christmas table without a woodland creature? The deer motif on our Christmas Eve Mugs and Bowl add a lighthearted, but nevertheless wild factor to your tablescape.

6. Adorable Ornaments: Ornaments aren’t just for the tree and this time of year is for all things that glitter. Personalizing each place setting with a name is charming and endearing. Guests will be glad to find their seats without hesitation.

7. Gold is Good: It’s just so right to adorn your table in gold during this season of bliss. Our ornaments are topped with a bow that glitzes and glimmers. The cutlery set on the table adds another gilded element that shimmers off the table.

8. Fun and festive: With the Scandi House Tealight Holders (available in-stores), we created an enchanting Christmas cottage village for a playful look, yet a contemporary vibe. The ornaments on the greenery that make up the centerpiece will have you thinking of your tree and are an easy way to elevate your table.

9. Glittering Glassware: Often simple and understated, even your wine glasses can make a statement. The Oro Red Wine Glass is effortlessly elegant and has a touch of gold on the stem for a festive feature.

Helping you set the mood for every holiday celebration you have in store,

Flaunt your Feast in Style: decorating tips for your holiday table

Stokes — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:00:49 +0000

The holiday décor is up, the invitations have gone out and preparations for your holiday feast are well underway! It’s time to start planning how you will set and decorate your holiday table. A table setting is a balance between dining essentials and whimsical décor that set the ambiance of the evening for you and your guests.

It’s important to note what will make both you and your guests well equipped to enjoy the feast ahead and to make sure that you include it in your table setting. Otherwise, it’s all about having fun and giving holiday flare to the most scrumptious meal of the season!

This season, whether it’s a casual or formal affair, minimalist or embellished style, try something new, keep it personal, but don’t be afraid to indulge in your most festive side! A holiday table is about showcasing the elaborate feast you have prepared in style and celebrating the holiday with your family and friends.

These tips will help get you inspired to create your most merry tablescape yet!

Go for unconventional charm

Get creative and use something in a new and alternative way. Are you still in love with the pattern from last year’s tablecloth? Fold it lengthwise a few times and use it as a table runner instead, just like we did with our Christmas plaid tablecloth on our table! Want to make sure your guests will be so comfortable they will want stay at your table for hours? Use some pillows as seat cushions and add an element of décor like we did with our country poinsettia place mat. However you choose to use your unique holiday charm, guests will be awed by your decorative ingenuity!

Personalize it

Mealtime during the holidays is a family affair. Keep things warm and inviting with a few personal touches to your table. A small treat, or a gift that is at their place setting, or even individual decorated name cards can be a cheerful and festive way to make each and every guest feel welcome. Not to mention the fact that that it adds an element of organization to your table. You can be sure that there will be no awkward shuffling around when it comes time for your guests to take their seats! Adding personalized touches will make sure your holiday meal is an intimate event and that’s something your guests are sure to appreciate! We used our chalkboard cheese markers for our place cards.

Layer

Layering gives your décor fullness and can make your table unique. Believe it or not, our table has 3 placemats under each dinnerware setting – and a table runner! We placed the metallic leaf gold placemat (in-stores only) on top of the country poinsettia placemat and the flocon de neige placemat to give depth and variety to our table’s decor. Another way to add depth to your table is layering your dishes, which also can help you save space on your table! We added a little extra to our Regency dinnerware set by placing the poinsettia dessert plate and our red round charger plate at each place. Just be sure that each item that you layer with brings a new element to your table and that they work together and complement each other.

Your food can be your décor

This is a simple and easy way to add some joy to your table – and you’ve already done the work. At our Christmas dinner we are serving punch in our celebration punch set. It’s without a doubt a sweet way to add some cranberry red to the table. And for dessert? Gingerbread cookies that are decorated with green and red sugar add another delicious accent to the table. Make it even more effortless by displaying your cookies in our Amalia trifle bowl (in-store only), all you need to do is put them in! This tip will keep your guests looking forward to dessert all supper long!

You can Keep it Classic Christmas

Finally, if what your heart yearns for is to add some plaid patterns, golden touches and sprigs of greenery, don’t worry about being typical. Using these Christmas classics are tasteful ways to make your guests feel the joy of the season. Whether it’s a subtle hint of gold in the plaid of your tablecloth or in a placemat, a touch of any metallic, adds glitz and glam to your table and can help elevate the ambiance to a more formal affair. The Facet flatware set and the poinsettia hiball and wine glass are essentials for any holiday table! We used our gingerbread Christmas trees as a decorative accent to bring greenery to the center of our table and a floral arrangement with plenty of green and hints of red. We added sprigs of pine needles with our red cloth nature napkin and mother of pearl napkin ring and the result couldn’t have been merrier! There’s no doubt, your guests will approve of your dedication to these décor traditions for the holidays.

Helping you set your most inspirational holiday table yet,