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Celebrate the season with The Designed Table’s new collection of table linens and accessories created to bring a sense of occasion to your Christmas and New Year’s table

The season of gathering is here… and Tara O’Connor has put together a glittering new collection of table linens in rich shades and elegant patterns teamed with sparkling new accessories for the ultimate festive tablescape. Bring everyone to the table and make this year’s Christmas
and New Year’s entertaining extra special with The Designed Table.

As the saying (and the song) goes, Christmas is just around the corner, and preparations are underway to make this year that little bit more special. Presents are wonderful, but what really matters most at this time of year are the moments we share with those we love. Gathering around the Christmas table, inviting friends around for a festive supper or cocktail party or having the relatives over for a New Year’s brunch… no other time of year serves up so many opportunities to celebrate with food, family and friends, and that’s the inspiration behind Tara O’Connor’s new collection for The Designed Table, created to bring a sense of occasion back to everyday dining.

“I love this time of year,” says Tara O’Connor. “This season, for me, means time with family and friends, sharing food and conversation. When designing this new collection, I wanted to bring tradition back to the Christmas table. It’s a time to bring out the fine china or crystal and really celebrate.”

The new collection includes The Designed Table’s recently launched white with scalloped edge tablecloths in deep, rich shades of red, green and navy alongside embroidered scalloped edge napkins in the same three shades as well as a white napkin with gold embroidery. An elegant white floral jacquard tablecloth, made from 50% linen and 50% cotton, perfect for more formal gatherings, and a navy tablecloth with silver stars are also new to the selection. The Designed Table’s new range of napkin rings are designed to elevate your festive table, with red, gold and silver beaded options, velvet bows, and wooden beads with velvet pom poms. 

Velvet runners in red, green or navy and Art Deco-inspired beaded floral placemats are also now available and add a sense of opulence to any Christmas table. There’s also a new red trimmed jute placemat added to the collection, which already includes green and navy options, as well as cotton napkins in red and green – ideal for layering up your tablescape with the season’s favourite shades.

Tara shares some tips for setting the perfect festive table, whatever the occasion:

  • Get creative with your Christmas table. This is one of the most wonderful times of the year to show your creativity at home with your tablescape. I choose a colour first, or two. I then decide on whether to go floral or just add foliage with my centrepiece. Set the table on Christmas Eve so it’s one job that’s done in advance.
  • Don’t over-style your table. Just add the plates you need for your first course on each place setting. Tapered candles are great for adding height to your table. Then, create layers and depth with placemats or charger plates.
  • I love to use place names and menus at Christmas. It adds a sense of formality to the proceedings. Use foliage or fruit if you don’t want to use paper – pomegranates and a gold Sharpie are all you need.
  • If you’re hosting a cocktail party, where guests are sitting or standing throughout your living areas, you can still dress up your dining table to act as a central table for food platters or hors d’oeuvres. My scallop print table cloth in red, green or navy is perfect for this. Add candlesticks of varying heights and some fresh seasonal floral arrangements down the centre of the table to really dress it up.

For Stephen’s Day, I like to do a completely different look for my table. If I go gold or silver for Christmas, I go red and green for St Stephen’s Day. I always reuse the floral arrangements from Christmas, so normally choose ones that work for all my entertaining needs over the festive period.

When it comes to New Year’s, it’s all about making your table as glamorous as possible – lots of sparkle and candlelight.

Looking for a special gift for someone who loves to entertain? Or need a little help deciding on what accessories to pair with your chosen tablecloth? The Designed Table’s Tablescape in a Box comes complete with an entire look for the table, with a tablecloth, placemats, napkins and napkin rings in quantities to suit 6, 8 or 12 people and is available in the Hydrangea, Jaipur Blue Paisley, Check Collection and Navy, Red or Green Scallop print. Designed and curated by TaraO’Connor, and lovingly packaged and delivered to the recipient’s door, it’s the ultimate one-click gift purchase that is sure to bring a big smile on someone’s face and be cherished and enjoyed for many years to come.

With an extensive range of tablecloths, runners, and cotton linen napkins in vibrant colours and elegant prints, complemented by a unique range of table accessories like placemats, candlesticks and napkin rings in a selection of quality materials to suit both formal and casual dining, The Designed Table’s collection is designed to work interchangeably, offering versatility and variation to suit the occasion.

Every piece in The Designed Table collection is designed by Tara in Ireland and made in India by certified artisan manufacturers.

The new collection is available to order in early November at thedesignedtable.com. Prices start from €40 for a set of four cotton napkins; €24 for a set of four napkin rings; €55 for a velvet table runner; €12 for a red trim natural jute placemat; and €48 for a set of four linen/cotton napkins with embroidered trim; while tablecloths start at €85 for a small table size up to €170 for a larger table.

Let The Designed Table inspire you to set the scene for a magical Christmas feast or festive gathering that will bring friends and family together.

Follow The Designed Table on Instagram @thedesignedtable

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