What to Order For a Festive Christmas Feast and How to Set a Vintage Table

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.

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 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

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.

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

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.

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

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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Credits

Art Direction

Stephanie Zubiri

Producer

Isabel Francisco

Photography

Sonny Thakur

Styling