There is a specific kind of magic that settles over a home in December. It’s in the way the light shifts, catching the dust motes in a quiet corner, and in the expectant hum of a kitchen preparing for a feast. But for me, the real soul of the season isn’t found in the grand gestures—it’s found in the quiet intentionality of the table.
We recently invited our creative kindred spirits from The Fold Southern Highlands & Illawarra to our Berry store for a styling session. We wanted to move beyond the traditional "red and green" and explore how a table can truly commit—how it can be fully styled, a little bit extra, and absolutely beg guests to sit down, pour a drink, and stay a while.
Here are the three distinct narratives we created. Each one is a testament to the "Art of the Mix," blending the old with the new to create something that sparks a conversation.
Rich Layers & Quiet Drama
This table takes a richer, more grounded direction. It is for the host who finds beauty in the shadows—the one who prefers the glow of aged brass over the glare of the sun. The colour story is deep: warm browns, antique golds, charcoal glass, and natural stone, creating a moody, evening atmosphere.
The Philosophy: It feels curated and collected rather than styled all at once. Layered ceramics and sculptural serving pieces are arranged with intention, creating a rhythm along the table. Metallic details—aged brass candleholders, decorative objects, and burnished cutlery—bring contrast and reflect light softly, preventing the deep palette from feeling heavy.
The Narrative Detail: The floral arrangement is intentionally looser and more organic, with varied foliage and darker tones that echo the surrounding palette. It’s a study in quiet drama.
Pieces featured in this setting include: A thoughtfully layered mix of ceramics, glassware, furniture and festive details, all chosen to create depth, warmth and a quietly celebratory feel.
Product List: Arwa Pot, Atelier Candlestand Medium, Atelier Candlestand Short, Atelier Candlestand Tall, Batali Dining Chair Black, Calile Tray Brown Emperador Marble, Camille Bone Coaster Set, Cinnamon Christmas Bauble, Eclipse Christmas Bauble, Fieri Dining Chair Black, Golden Glitter Christmas Bauble, Heritage Cutlery Set/4, Iris Candlestand Large, Iris Candlestand Medium, Juliette Tray Brown Emperador Marble, Kindred Beaded Bow Decoration, Kintsu Breakfast Bowl, Kintsu Dinner Plate, Kintsu Large Salad Bowl, Kintsu Oval Platter, Kintsu Round Platter, Kintsu Side Plate, Lilly Pilly Sparkling De-Alc, Lucid Heart Decoration, Magnus Scalloped Bowl Brown, Mara Decoration, Marbella Dining Table Black / 274cm, Old Fashioned – 16oz / 473ml Non Alcoholic Mixer, Oliver Dining Chair Black, Pavilion Acrylic Champagne Flute Smoke, Pavilion Acrylic Wine Glass Smoke, Prawn Beaded Decoration, Riviera Terracotta Napkin Set of 4, Sorrelle Coaster Set, Sunday Salad Servers, Vintage Indian Brass Bucket Large, Vintage Indian Brass Spoon, Vintage Indian Brass Water Bottle, Vintage Indian Bijani Candlestand.
Sun-Washed Mornings & Quiet Festivity
This table feels calm and sun-washed, leaning into a fresh Christmas mood rather than a traditional one. It is for the gatherings that start with coffee and roll effortlessly into a long, barefoot lunch—ideal for a Christmas that feels more about slowing down than "putting on a show."
The Philosophy: The palette is soft and grounded—olive, pear green, warm stone, and vintage timber. A striped linen becomes the anchor, bringing movement and a relaxed rhythm as it drapes naturally over the edges. We’ve used hydrangeas in vintage vessels to provide structure, while fruit scattered through the centre adds an organic, slightly imperfect feel. It is generous but restrained.
The Narrative Detail: Ceramics here are tonal and tactile, mixing matte finishes with subtle glaze variations. The woven chairs bring essential warmth and texture, grounding the table and tying it back to the natural materials throughout the space.
Details you’ll spot throughout this look include: Natural textures, fresh tableware and relaxed styling pieces that bring a sense of abundance and ease to the table.
Look 2 Product List: Avocado Beaded Decoration, Camille Bone Coaster Set, Champagne Saucer – Timeless 270ml, Chinese Stone Bowl, Chinese Vintage Baiyu Pot, Cinnamon Christmas Bauble, Eclipse Christmas Bauble, Eucalyptus Flowering Spray 76cm – Light Pink, Fettle Cheese Knife, Fettle Spread Knife, Havana Dining Chair, Hydrangea Bush 50cm – Green Brown, Leaves Spray 78cm Green, Limoncello Spritz De-Alc, Marbella Dining Table Black / 274cm, Mizu Large Salad Bowl, Ostuni Dining Chair, Prosecco Beaded Decoration, Riviera Pear Napkin Set, Riviera Pear Placemat Set, Riviera Pear Table Cloth – Grand 150x300cm, Serafina Bowl, Serafina Dinner Plate, Serafina Side Plate, Spindle Salad Servers, Tinker Candlestand Medium, Tinker Candlestand Tall, Virtu Cutlery Set/4
Blush Tones & Celebratory Ease
For the dreamers and the poets, we created the Romantic Coastal. This table leans into a relaxed mood—romantic, tactile, and quietly celebratory. It is designed for long lunches, shared bottles, and easy gatherings.
The Philosophy: The palette sits in soft blush, warm ivory, and muted burgundy, layered over natural timber to keep it grounded rather than overly festive. The centre arrangement is the focal point: abundant florals with rounded forms and pale pink tones are balanced by sculptural palm leaf details and aged vintage candlestands.
The Narrative Detail: The scale here feels intentional—generous but not overwhelming, allowing the table to feel full without losing breathing room. Place settings are pared back and cohesive with white ceramics and natural textures, letting the centre styling do the heavy visual work. It is elevated, yet entirely approachable.
Styled using a playful mix of: Soft blush tones, statement serveware and joyful decorative touches that add personality and a little sparkle to the celebration.
Look 3 Product List: Astral Christmas Bauble, Calile Tray Pink Lagoon, Cheers Beaded Decoration, Chloe Cheeseboard Pink Lagoon, Cocktail Beaded Decoration, Essence Dining Chair Leaf Rope/Smoke, Essence Dining Chair Paper Rope/Walnut, Flemington Acrylic Champagne Flute Pale Pink, Flemington Acrylic Jug Pale Pink, Flemington Acrylic Martini Glass Pale Pink, Flemington Acrylic Snack Bowl Pale Pink, Form Spread Knife, Iris Candlestand Large, Iris Candlestand Medium, Marbella Dining Table Black / 274cm, Nautilus Vase, Shell – Finger Starfish – 20cm, Suiki Deep Side Plate, Suiki Dinner Plate, Sundae Beaded Decoration, Velveteen Bow Decoration, Vintage Indian Brass Lassi Cup, Vintage Indian Rounded Candlestand, Vintage Indian Whitewashed Parat, Virtu Cutlery Set/4
To bring these narratives to life, we collaborated with the incredible team at The Fold Southern Highlands and The Fold Illawarra.
If you live in our local communities, you know The Fold as the definitive voice on the best places to eat, shop, and explore. They are the curators of local culture, and like us, they believe in the beauty of the "un-obvious."
Collaborating with them was a natural alignment of values. Together, we wanted to move beyond the traditional "how-to" and instead offer a "why-to"—encouraging you to find the soul in your styling and the story in your setting. Their passion for our regions—from the misty hills of Bowral to the salt-brushed streets of Thirroul and Husky—is what makes this guide feel so grounded in the places we call home.
We are so grateful for their creative eyes and their commitment to celebrating the spirit of the Highlands and the Coast.
Our collaboration with The Fold was about more than just setting a table; it was about celebrating the way we live and host in our beautiful corner of the world.
The beauty of these settings is best experienced in person—where you can feel the weight of the hand-thrown ceramics, run your hands over the draped linens, and see the way our metallic accents catch the afternoon light.
As the countdown to Christmas begins, we invite you to step out of the rush and into the sanctuary of our galleries. Whether you are wandering the streets of Berry, escaping to the Highlands, or enjoying the creative energy of Thirroul, our team is here to help you find the pieces that will anchor your own festive story.
To help you plan your visit, please find our festive opening hours below. We look forward to welcoming you.
Christmas Eve | Tuesday 24th Dec
All Stores: 10:00am – 5:00pm (Huskisson Showroom: 10:00am – 4:00pm)
Christmas Day | Wednesday 25th Dec
ALL STORES CLOSED
Boxing Day | Thursday 26th Dec
All Stores: 10:00am – 4:00pm (Huskisson: 10:00am – 3:00pm)
New Year’s Day | Wednesday 1st Jan
All Stores: 10:00am – 4:00pm (Huskisson: 10:00am – 3:00pm)
Find your local Few & Far: Berry | Bowral | Huskisson | Thirroul | Rosebery
Drawing from years of experience in homewares and design, we celebrate conscious buying, artisanal craftsmanship, and are driven by the belief that every space should be a collection of pieces that tell stories from past and present and make ways for the narrative to continue in the future. Our mission is to inspire, guide, and help you weave a unique and meaningful story within your own walls.
