Cover A festive vintage table setting by W/17 | Photo by Sonny Thakur
A festive vintage table setting by W/17 | Photo by Sonny Thakur
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Elevate your Christmas table with vintage finds, stunning food and tips from W/17
Deck the halls, they said. And so, we shall. As we unpack our Christmas décor boxes, unwrap nostalgic ornaments, unfurl lights and hang up wreaths, we must not forget the dining table and buffet.
The holidays are not complete without bountiful meals, but to prepare a festive feast, remember that the eyes eat first, especially in the age of social media. In creating your spread, pick foods that are both aesthetically appealing and scrumptious then pair them with a themed motif to tie your whole tablescape together.
When it comes to fostering an alluring yet sophisticated ambience, furniture boutique W/17 certainly does the job with class. It continues to artfully blend classic and contemporary furnishings, fabrications and decorative features, being a brand that has always been guided by a transitional design philosophy. Shoppers are transported into the pages of their favourite home- interior coffee-table books or Pinterest boards as they peruse the store’s nooks and crannies. “The pieces we have are meant to be timeless, not trendy, whether it is an antique or a piece carefully crafted just this year. Everything in the store is something that I would be proud to have in my home. The only thing stopping me is my very limited space,” says managing director, Kaye Tinga.
She and co-founder, Andres Vazquez-Prada, drive this conscience-driven business devoted to exquisite craftsmanship. From incredible works of art, bespoke furniture and one-of-a-kind treasures from Eastern and Western cultures, you can rest assured that each item was hand-picked for and with a discriminating perspective.
See also: Where to Order A Juicy Christmas Ham
Above L-R: Roasted carrot hummus from CC Table; pulpo a la gallega and herb coated goat cheese from Deli by Chele; caramelised petit Cambembert form Lusso; caviar pie by Marielle Po; canapes from Etxeko; tuna tartare from Tarucs | Photo by Sonny Thakur
Above Baked oysters from Wantusawa on a vintage silver dish from W/17 | Photo by Sonny Thakur
L-R: Roasted carrot hummus from CC Table; pulpo a la gallega and herb coated goat cheese from Deli by Chele; caramelised petit Cambembert form Lusso; caviar pie by Marielle Po; canapes from Etxeko; tuna tartare from Tarucs | Photo by Sonny Thakur
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All-year-round, shoppers can indulge in delicious finds, but W/17 becomes extra intriguing most especially at Christmas, when yearning to elevate your décor. “It has never been about the number of people you invite; great friends will always mean a memorable time. Our holiday collection this year is thoughtfully put together to inspire us to open our homes again to our loved ones as we welcome back entertaining, albeit in limited gatherings. The pieces we have for the holidays bring in an effortless and pure sense of delight. They play a lot with colour, texture and, as always, natural materials,” Tinga explains.
See also: Tatler's Gourmet Christmas Gift Guide - Find Out What to Buy Your Foodie Friends
Above Caramelised petit Camembert from Lusso on W/17 table accessories | Photo by Sonny Thakur
Above Smoked salmon from Gerald.Ph styled by W/17 | Photo by Sonny Thakur
Caramelised petit Camembert from Lusso on W/17 table accessories | Photo by Sonny Thakur
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To demonstrate their design and styling prowess, in-house stylist and design consultant Isabel Lozano helped Tatler Homes prepare an impressively elegant holiday table. Peppered with decadent treats from Deli by Chele, Gerald.ph, Etxeko, Belly Best, Casa Luisa, Crate 2 Plate, Lusso, Wantusawa, CC Table, Taruc’s and Marielle Po—the menu is one that will not disappoint.
With a Renaissance banquet theme, Lozano explains, “Choosing the dark yellow tablecloth gave it a joyous warmth. Purposely picking the dark grey wall as my backdrop really complimented the tablecloth well. A combination of antique silver dinnerware, goblets and pitchers mixed with the modern bronze fixtures, dramatic feathers, eucalyptus, pussy- willows, candles and the almost whimsical silver roosters together with the fantastic food just really all came together like magic. The old and new world elements came together wonderfully.”
Utilising vintage finds adds a level of depth and character to a home. “For most people, buying vintage or antique pieces is a great way to reuse or upcycle; however, W/17 [patrons] buy vintage because of their passion for the artisanal craftmanship from the Old World,” Lozano shares. Not only are these pieces gorgeous but they each come with an air of mystery and a rich history. “They are [also] usually of high-value due to the fact that most of the pieces sold in W/17 are unique and difficult to replicate in all other details,” adds Lozano.
See also: 12 of The Most Iconic Christmas Food From Around The World
Above A perfectly crispy porchetta by Belly Best on a silver platter from W/17 and beautiful fresh fruits from Crate 2 Plate | Photo by Sonny Thakur
Above A perfectly cooked beef Wellington by Casa Luisa on a W/17 serving dish | Photo by Sonny Thakur
A perfectly crispy porchetta by Belly Best on a silver platter from W/17 and beautiful fresh fruits from Crate 2 Plate | Photo by Sonny Thakur
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When thinking about how to make your Christmas spread stand out from years past, try adding items that are not holiday-themed per se. As you’ll notice in our set-up, not a single ornament or twinkle light is used, and yet a luxurious, jovial and celebratory mood has been set.
To end, Lozano says, “Everyone has their own definition of a beautiful holiday table, but if the set-up moves your soul, tickles all your senses and makes you giddy with holiday cheer, then that means you’ve done it perfectly!”
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Foodie Finds with Food Photographer Sonny Thakur
Credits
Art Direction: Stephanie Zubiri
Producer: Isabel Francisco
Photography: Sonny Thakur
Styling: Isabel Lozano
Location: W/17
About
Isabel loves to learn, and see things from different perspectives. Connecting with people and engaging in new experiences to broaden her horizons is what inspires this storyteller, keeping her constantly curious, and excited for what's to come. An absolute love for all things F&B ignited a hunger to devour content from this world and keeps her jumping into tasty adventures around the globe. From the beauty of simple bites, to nuanced fine dining tasting menus, street food, and the art of entertaining, the multi-faceted nature of the dining experience is something she can't get enough of. A good cup of coffee or a glass of wine paired with a dash of witty conversation is a quick way to win her over. This editor loves travelling, food, music, skincare, fitness, and is only friends with people who love dogs. Guilty pleasure?: Binge-watching TV shows and movies she has already seen.
Work
Concept creation is the name of the game and branding takes centre stage in Isabel's day-to-day schedule. From producing shoots, conceptualising bespoke projects for our partners, relationship management, to cooking up features and events for Tatler Dining, this editor is a tried and tested foodie at heart. She mainly writes content for Tatler Dining, engaging in captivating discussions with restaurateurs, chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts to tell must-know stories. Aside from that Isabel manages Tatler Dining's flagship events like Off Menu, or Cocktail Festival and puts together the Tatler Dining Guide, our annual listing of the best eats around town.
Follow her on Instagram @isabelvmf.
