Tables For The Holidays: Tips For Creating Party-Stopping Tablescapes This Christmas Season

December 1, 2023

Cynthia Almario and Chat Fores shared their beautifully-curated tablescapes and gave tips on creating the perfect holiday setup.

This is an excerpt from Lifestyle Asia’s December 2023/January 2024 Issue.

BLUE & WHITE CHRISTMAS BY CYNTHIA ALMARIO

As an avid collector of blue and white porcelains, Cynthia Almario created a table setting using objects from her own collection culled from her travels around the world. She says she always starts with a theme and a color palette “that sets the mood and adds visual interest” before selecting the accouterments to complete her tablescape.

Interior Designer Cynthia Almario (who runs Atelier Almario with her sister, Ivy ) developed her interest in creating tablescapes while living in Los Angeles/Photo by Gabriel Ouakinne

Cynthia’s collections are displayed in open shelves as reminders of her travels. “I don’t think I will ever stop collecting blue and white accessories. For as long as I see a very interesting piece that is unique and beautiful, I will keep on adding to my collection.”

“For this tablescape, I put tall apple blossoms in the center as a focal point where I can hang frosted, embroidered white balls flanked by a tall, white ceramic pagoda,” Cynthia says, sharing a basic tip. “I always experiment with different accessories. Do not be afraid to think outside the box and mix different styles. Remember to have fun and let your creativity flow as you design unique table settings.”

On Cynthia’s festive table, blue charger from Z Gallerie, plates and bowls from Bombay Company in Los Angeles, water goblets from Crate and Barrel, cup and saucer from Zara Home.

RED FANTASY BY CHAT FORES

Chat Fores’ love for doing tablescapes dates back to her childhood when her mother entertained doctors from Makati Medical Center every month. “They were being trained by my dad, who was chief of the gastro department at that time,” Chat recalls. “My mom would mix and match plates since sets would be broken due to accidents, etc. during parties. So she would match the food theme, whether it was catered by Jade Garden or Taste of LA, to the table settings.”

For her holiday tablescape, she anchored the look to a favorite color, red, and added a heady combination of disparate elements for an eye-popping style that has become a signature. “I used to think my mom was over-the-top for wearing florals with animal prints back in the 80s,” Chat admits,”but now, I’m doing the same for interiors.”

A life-size toy soldier watches over the table, set with different plates and other accessories and decor expertly layered by Chat.

Her plate and cutlery selection includes pieces from Seletti’s Hybrid series with both Oriental and European motifs, a vintage Hans Christian Andersen porcelain, vintage green malachite dishes from L’Objet, and flatware designed by Marcel Wanders for Christofle.

Read more by purchasing a copy of the Lifestyle Asia October 2023 magazine via SariSari.shopping or select newsstands in National Bookstore and Fully Booked. Subscribe to the E-Magazine via Readly, Magzter, and Press Reader.

Photos from Paola Aseron for Cynthia Almario’s tablescape and Ed Simon of Kliq, Inc. for Chat Fores’ portrait and tablescape.

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