Holiday Fête

SAFARI FARE
“Lunch can be just as entertaining as a dinner party, so why not have a fun and unexpected theme such as Lunch on Safari? I incorporated camp stools for chairs and tribal/rustic place settings for the thematic decor.” — Jenny Roush, Room Service Interior Design

JENNY’S DESIGN TIPS: 

• Take an inventory of pieces you already own to help inspire a theme and build from there.
• Planning is key — outsource where you can.
• Don’t wait until the last minute. Set the table the day before so you can see if you are missing anything.
• If you are preparing the main course, make things easier on yourself and pick up catered sides from a gourmet market, and set up a self-serve drinks station so guests can help themselves.  

Available at MDC: Pindler tablecloth fabric, The Ghiordes Knot rugs, CAI Designs carved wall art.

MANGIA!
“I was inspired by the casual nature of a Tuscan dinner for this design. The tabletop reflects the beautiful colors of fall yet remains approachable in its informal design. My goal was to create a space where everyone feels welcome.” — Debi Hollis, Interior Lifestyles 

 DEBI’S DESIGN TIPS: 

• Don't limit yourself to floral centerpieces. Use unconventional items like artisanal bread, cloche-covered cheese, seasonal vegetables, and interesting greens.
• Your theme should be your guide when selecting design elements. For example, I considered what I would see if I were in Tuscany. That's what I want on my table!
• Use contrasting materials such as glass, metal, wicker, and fabric to give your design more visual interest. Each element should take your guests on a tour of Tuscany. 

  Available at MDC: E.W. Kitchens cabinetry.

SUPPER CLUB CHIC
“We wanted to give this gathering an Art Deco ‘Supper Club’ atmosphere. To create a sense of intimacy, we arranged small table lamps down the center of the table along with orchids, and hung another arrangement from a floating rod above so as not to obstruct conversation. We centered some gorgeous silk fabric with a large 50-inch floral pattern on the walls for an artwork effect and to warm the space. Your holiday event doesn’t have to adhere to a specific theme. Simplicity and elegance can rule every table.” — Barry Harrison, Art | Harrison Interiors

ARTURO SANCHEZ’S DESIGN TIPS: 

• Rechargeable lamps are a key starting point for centerpiece design. They are the “special sauce” in creating a Supper Club look.
• Comfort is key.  Often dinner parties are a mix of people who may not know each other, so it’s important that your guests have enough personal space and their seating is comfortable. When we have a party, we seat partners across from one another to anchor their comfort while still allowing them an opportunity to mingle and carry a conversation with the person next to them.
• When it comes to floral arrangements, be playful. Orchids are a good choice as they can retain their freshness outside of water for 24 hours. This gives you the flexibility to arrange them in creative ways. We also used unconventional color pairings like blue and brown with pink and white flowers. It’s a nice mix of masculine and feminine.
• Stop designing for the “theme” of the season. Be imaginative. No more pumpkins!

Available at MDC: Tennant & Associates wall, chair, and table fabric; City Lights Detroit table lamps; Baker | McGuire sconces; CAI Designs cube stools.

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
“The inspiration was to create an immersive outdoor tablescape wrapped in earthy greens and lantern light. Every detail from the crafted cocktails to the soft linens are layered with care to create a setting of timeless elegance and ease. Touch, sip, linger, and let your guests be fully immersed in the experience.” — Amanda Sinistaj, Ellwood Interiors

AMANDA’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Add a personal touch. Consider printing your menu list on beautiful card stock or for something more elegant, try fabric. It's literally a nice touch for your guests, and informative if someone has dietary restrictions.
• Adjust your lighting. Use dimmers, candles, or battery-operated lanterns to create a cozy atmosphere in indoor settings or to guide one through low-lit outdoor areas.
• Layer with intention. Extravagant tablescapes are lovely, but it can be cumbersome and hard to socialize around overly abundant centerpieces. Note the height of your décor and make room for conversation across the table. Comfort and flow matter just as much as style. You can have it all.

Available at MDC: Schumacher dining table, napkin, seat cushion, and table runner fabrics.

GO WITH THE FLOW
“This kitchen and dining room is part a full renovation that also includes the family room. For the holidays, we kept the décor clean and mostly green to reflect the view through the large windows that overlook the back yard. Subtle, deep red accents reflect our client’s travels throughout Asia. Fresh flowers and greenery along with sophisticated holiday accents flow between the spaces and are a natural way to balance everyday design with seasonal décor.” — Colleen O’Brien-Seitz, Rita O’Brien Interiors

COLLEEN’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Don’t overdo it. A professional can help you curate your holiday collection so that the design is uncluttered. Although we have a ton of amazing, unique holiday items displayed throughout our showroom, we arrange them with purpose and with the surroundings in mind. 
• It’s important that one space flows into the next. While it may be fun to have different themes in each room, make sure that you carry over at least one of the colors from the previous room so that the design feels cohesive.
• Don’t be afraid to blend vintage and contemporary pieces. We encourage displaying your favorite pieces from the past with newer items surrounding them, this allows you to tell your story while keeping things fresh every year!  

Available at MDC: Rita O’Brien Interiors holiday décor and accessories; Baker | McGuire swivel chairs; CAI Designs dining table and chairs; Lighting Resource Center dining table chandelier. 

HARMONIOUS HOLIDAY
“This award-winning design was for clients who just moved into their new home and the old décor didn’t suit the new aesthetic and color palette. We created a flow throughout the home by incorporating holiday décor that coordinates with the furnishings and colors for a unified design.” — Ruth Casper, Ruth Casper Design Studio

RUTH’S HOLIDAY DESIGN TIPS:

• Begin with a cohesive color palette that harmonizes with your existing interiors for a seamless seasonal transition.
• Layer in rich textures — think velvet ribbons, metallic accents, and organic elements like pinecones or eucalyptus to add depth and visual interest.
• Warm lighting from twinkling string lights to flickering candles instantly enhances the ambiance in a space and creates a welcoming glow. One easy tip is to use remote-controlled candles. Buy just one brand so you can control them quickly and effortlessly with one remote control all at once.
• Infuse personality with meaningful touches such as handmade ornaments or cherished family heirlooms. We used a brooch that belonged to the homeowner’s grandmother as an accent in the coffee table centerpiece, and used framed family photos as part of one of the three trees in the home.

Available at MDC: CAI Designs pillow and stool fabric; Rozmallin chair and leopard-print fabric; Ruth Casper Design Studio accessories.

FAMILY TRIBUTE
“I love the holiday season and the family time it brings. This is my century-old Dutch Colonial home in Grosse Pointe. The entry hall sets a festive tone with lush stairway greenery, striped ribbons, and wooden folk ornaments. I like to use a lot of color, because most of my clients don’t—and with our long winters and not much sun, colors make me feel energized. My home is filled with vibrant art and furnishings year-round, and during the holidays, it becomes even more spirited. I collect ornaments and especially enjoy discovering unique pieces while traveling. For the stairway garland, I favor wooden folk ornaments that are unbreakable. They’re perfect for a home with two daughters (and a dog). And when it comes to greenery, I always opt for the real thing, nothing beats the smell.

I enjoy creating a theme when I entertain and often incorporate family heirlooms into my design. For this New Year’s Eve tablescape, I set my antique dining table with treasured family pieces and exquisite details: antique Royal Worcester China, Fabergé salad plates, Saint-Louis crystal, and Italian glassware. For this celebration, I planned a Russian-inspired menu, complete with caviar and vodka tasting—a perfect pairing with the Fabergé plates and a memorable way to welcome the New Year.” — Nicole Withers, Jones-Keena & Co.

Available at MDC: Dining room: Baker | McGuire end chairs; Rozmallin dining chair fabric, drapery fabric and trim. Stairway: Schumacher wallpaper; CAI Designs barstools and pendant light.

NICOLE’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Don’t be afraid to bring out special pieces like fine China, crystal, or wedding gifts that often sit hidden in the cupboard. The holidays are the perfect excuse to enjoy them. They add instant elegance and meaning to the table.
• Lighting is key to setting the mood. Layer in twinkling lights, glowing candles, and thoughtful accent lighting to create a warm, festive atmosphere.
• Use fresh florals and greenery. From garlands on the banister to small floral arrangements at the table, live greens and blooms add fragrance, color, and a natural holiday feel.
• Make wrapping part of the décor. Choose colorful, festive papers and ribbon. Beautifully wrapped gifts can become an extension of your holiday decorating scheme.

CONVERSATION PIECE
“We always set a table of discovery. We want our guests to see something new that maybe they haven't encountered before. In this instance, each setting has a personalized color, we used slag glass as a centerpiece, and the knife rests are actually handblown glass from Venice that were created to be pen rests.

The tablescape is designed to start a conversation the moment our guests are seated. It’s an easy ice breaker to get the conversation going. The previous year we set an all-white table, so we wanted to do something different for this New Year’s Eve dinner.” — Dan Davis, Bureau of Interior Design 

DAN’S DESIGN TIPS:

• Get creative and move beyond a standard vase with flowers. If you have a collection of items in your house, explore whether something could be used as a centerpiece.
• When coming up with interesting themes for an event, consider your guests. We once designed a frog-themed table setting for someone who loves them!
• Candlelight is great but never set scented candles near the food. The level of light is key as well, so dimmers are a must. You want the light to be warm and dim but still have enough light to see everything on the table.
• Don't stop at the table; dress other areas where you’ll be entertaining such as the buffet or an area where you might sit before dinner to have cocktails.
• Above all, don’t stress. Something always goes wrong, or you might forget to add a certain touch. It happens. Your guests will never know, but they will be aware if you are stressed about it. 

Available at MDC: Tennant & Associates dining chair fabric.