subtle sheen to any space DECORATING Go all out with festive f lourishes

X PHOTOGRAPHY Yuki Sugiura STYLING Alexander Breezehavea bal l Ma x im ise you r festive f la ir w ith si lver orbs, ex tra f lou rishes a nd a sense of super-sized abu nda nce

C H E E S E B O A R D F I N A L E (Previous page) Don’t just think in two dimensions, stack up a mini mountain of different cheeses for a sculptural after-dinner showpiece.

Cheeses (from top): Pecorino Moliterno with truffle, £4.90 per 100g; Valencay, £11.95 each; Spenwood, £5.60 per 100g; Coolea, £3.50 per 100g; Parmesan, £37.50 per 100g; fresh fruit, all Fortnum & Mason. Agate cheese knives, £25 for 4, Amara. Oxydation side table, £803, Ligne Roset

D R E A M Y D I N I N G (Previous page) A fantastical, undulating cloud arrangement of metallic balloons high above the table, like giant baubles, makes for a showstopping dinner setting.

Beetle dining chairs, £267 each, Gubi at The Conran Shop. Tablecloth, £385; napkins, £35 each, all Summerill & Bishop. Black and white Oriente Italiano plates, £88 each, Richard Ginori at Amara. Cream bowls, £14 each; cream plates, £22 each, all Anthropologie. Bauhaus cutlery, £230 for a 24-piece set, Cutipol at Amara. Quartz napkin rings, £324 a pair, Thomas Goode. Crystal comports: Inez, £240; Olive, £140; and Ottoline, £1,340; all William Yeoward Crystal. Blue and green swirl bowls and plates, from £85; all Designers Guild. Fish tureen, £115, Divertimenti. Shell-shaped toothpick holder, £90, Thomas Goode. Fresh fruit and vegetables, all Fortnum & Mason. Silver mirrored balloon installation, the London Balloon Lady

P R E S E N T A N D C O R R E C T For an eye-catching alternative to the traditional presents under the tree, why not hijack a tabletop and create a striking decorative arrangement of gifts and objects?

Blue vases (from left) Tall No.2, £585; short No.22, £250, both Moïo Studio at The Conran Shop. Alessi Champagne bucket, £136, Selfridges. Silver-plated bowl, £360, David Mellor. Purple trivet, £7.50; green trivet, £7.50, grey trivet, £15, all Divertimenti. Inka pink jug, £34; Cenote vase, £585, both Amara. Glass vase, £245, Designers Guild. Christofle gravy boat, £630, Selfridges. Angel console table, £2,820, Julian Chichester

D R I N K S A R E S E R V E D What’s a festive evening without a bar area – or, even better, a stylish mobile bar on wheels?

Drinks trolley, £1,380, Go Modern. Aubergine wine glasses, £55 for 4; blue champagne glasses, from £50 for 4, all Oka. Blue water glasses, £17 each; blue tequila jug, £79; all Designers Guild. Walnut nut bowl, £36, Divertimenti. Bottles of wine and spirits, from £39.50 each, all Fortnum & Mason. Floristry, Juliet Glaves

P L E A S E B E S E AT E D Create ornate and extravagant tabletop place setting vignettes by mixing texture, colour and pattern. Finish with foraged foliage and jewel-like fruits.

Tablecloth, £385; napkins, £35 each, all Summerill & Bishop. Crystal comports (from left): Inez, £240; Olive, £140, both William Yeoward Crystal. Bauhaus cutlery, £230 for a 24-piece set, by Cutipol; black and white Oriente Italiano plates, by Richard Ginori, £88 each, all Amara. Blue and green swirl bowl and plates, from £85, all Designers Guild. Quartz napkin rings, £324 a pair; shell-shaped toothpick holder, £90, both Thomas Goode. Bugnion name cards, $2.50 for 6, John Derian. Fish tureen, £115, Divertimenti. Cream bowls, £14 each, Anthropologie. Fresh fruit, Fortnum & Mason. Floristry, Juliet Glaves