An immovable feast
MANILA, Philippines - A successful holiday dinner should always feel deliciously indulgent — be it heart-warming comfort food, decadent desserts, a cheeky libation (or several), the dictum of seasonal entertaining is to provide a venue for the right kind of merry-making. It’s all about keeping tradition and the spirit of the season at the dinner table.
In a bid to create a sense of magic, think beyond your basic cutlery and china for this season’s table settings. Toast to the holidays with some serious art direction (hint: Pinterest.) Nothing captures Christmas as a special time of year quite like a festively decked-out tablescape.
Nothing succeeds quite like excess. For both food and décor, a maxim that holds truer the closer we get to the main Yuletide event: Noche Buena at home with friends and family.
To inspire fantasy in your own homes, we’ve invited eight people of aesthetic and impeccable style to take a place at the YStyle Christmas table. In lieu of their attendance and escort cards, we’ve sent for their holiday settings to sit in their place.
Grab an extra seat as we get a glimpse of their own holiday fantasies brought to life.
Andrés Vázquez-Prada Co-owner, W/17
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
Understated elegance.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
I used Spode Pink Tower China — the tower pattern was introduced in 1814 and was derived from a printed illustration in the book A Select Collection of Views and Ruins of Rome and its Vicinity by James Mérigot. I also used a Waterford Cut crystal water goblet, a silver wine goblet from Spain, a W/17 exclusive Orrefors “Street” champagne flute. The place setting is “Spatours” from Christofle, available through indent order at W/17. Plate chargers are Christofle as well.
I wanted a contemporary color for the hemstitched placemat because I am very careful with my use of color and I personally do not prefer bright reds and greens. I chose marsala which happens to be the color of the year for 2015 and was my personal favorite of the new colors of linen this season at the store. It happened to go perfectly with the china.
I also used Cambodian Repoussé Silver Deer Betel Boxes because I always love integrating decor to a table setting. And also gifts, remember you want your guests to always feel lucky. I used W/17 “Cypress” scented candles made in France. A gracious host must always appeal to the five senses. And lastly, a bouquet of flowers.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
Alberto Pinto, whose book continues to inspire me. It reminds me of the table settings and hospitality I have been privileged to enjoy at home.
Janina Dizon Hoschka
Designer, Janina for Jul Dizon
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
My inspiration was snow, sky and crystals. I wanted to give the tablescape an icy winter look.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
The plates are Hermès, cutlery is from WMF, glasses from Thailand, and linen from SM Home. Amethyst claster candle holder and quartz crystal from Germany. The placemat is actually leftover wall pepr material from my store renovation. I got the idea from Ito Kish.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson. I’d love to hear about her life, love, and the stories behind her jewelry collection!
Rosanna & Marco Rodriguez
Chef-Owner, Xáncho and Designer, respectively
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
We were inspired by our trip to Taormina, Sicily last year. We fell in love with the rugged coastline (Mt. Etna looming on the horizon), the warm people, and the unique culture endemic to the region. There was a constant dynamism to the place amidst a laidback setting. We wanted our tablescape to be representative of that: a burst of pomp and color combined with the muted hues of nature.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
Our plates were meticulously chosen at a small store in one of Taormina’s hidden streets. The risk of shipping such delicate items notwithstanding, we wanted to come home with some mementos to remember our first visit by. Our coasters were likewise sourced from Istanbul’s bazaar and the placemats from Dwell studio. The birds are antiques passed down from my mother-in-law.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
My wife, Rosanna, would be thrilled to have Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana over for dinner since they are her favorite fashion icons and have always been known to be the life of the party. They also happen to be native sons of Sicily. I would enjoy having Anthony Bourdain over since I know that the conversation would be mostly about food — animated and quick-witted, eating and drinking late into the night.
Ito Kish
Chief visual storyteller, KISH
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
I always marry different things when it comes to settings for my holiday table. Different design styles, materials, textures, but I try to create a color story that is easy on the eyes. An inspired Christmas is what I had in mind.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
The dinner plate is part of my Kristina dinnerware collection. It is fine bone china. The silver I used is a mix and match of vintage pieces. The glass is also vintage, I found it in New York City. I added some glass and beaded ornaments also. I used paper placemats and runners in red and gold chevron. To top it off, a small present for my dinner guest.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
Tom Ford.
Rajo Laurel Designer
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
I just wanted something really relaxed, and very chill. When I entertain at home it’s really all about making sure my guests are having a great time. I didn’t want anything fussy but I still wanted it to look very charming. I think a table setting is really about the mixture of elements that reflect your aesthetic. It doesn’t have to be precious but you make it precious by putting it all together with love and attention.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
The pieces of the setting I chose are really from all over the place. The china is from Cardinal Ceramics, I just love the celadon green color as this always makes the food look good. The charger is from a trip to Bangkok and the salad plate is a flea market find in London. The stemware is from Crate & Barrel while the bread plate is one of my favorites from Christina Tortue designs featuring various leaf shapes. I picked up the tableware from Singapore and I just did the napkin myself in 100–percent cotton. The napkin ring is from SM.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
My dream dinner guest would be Diana Vreeland! I find her so fascinating and I’m sure we would hit it off very well. (Laughs.)
Cecile van Straten
Blogger and lifestyle journalist
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
On Christmas Eve, we will have some friends and family over at home. We will be serving our favorite Abub’s lechon and my husband Jeroen will prepare his famous Caesar’s Salad and steaks on the grill. Our menu is printed on paper and wrapped around the napkin and cutlery. My inspiration is combining pieces I like all over the place. Basically, I learned table setting from Pinterest. You can follow me there at Chuvaness.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
I love Kraft Paper. The table runner is by Kitchen Papers, which I found online and available also at KISH. The placemat is by BLEACH purchased at Greenbelt 5. The napkin is Maison Martin Margiela x H&M. The candle stand was a present and the plant was an invitation from Aveda.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
My dream dinner guests would be Pope Francis, Charlie Siem, Bryan Greenberg, Neymar Jr. and Yohji Yamamoto. But I would be too starstruck to eat, so make that Pope Francis nalang. Because I love him.
Maureen Disini
Designer
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
I wanted a simple and pared-down table setting to reflect my personality and aesthetic. I chose an all-white theme to keep it minimal.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
I used linen for placemats, napkins and coasters all from AC+632. For dinnerware I used Corelle. The plates and all my glasses came from Rustan’s, Silver from Herdmar. To break the all-white palette, I added a green grape ornament in the center. This and candles for a holiday mood.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
Off the top of my head, I would pick Valentino Garavani.
Kai Lim
Co-owner, Cura V
YSTYLE: Tell us about your inspiration for this season’s holiday dinner.
Holidays are an excuse to unabashedly use silver and gold at home. I mix it up with natural materials like wood, fresh and dried leaves to balance it out.
Can you tell us about your holiday setting?
The china is my mother’s, it was a wedding present to my parents, which would mean that it’s 36 years old. I am glad to say that the full set is in pristine condition. The cloth is a find from Manila Fame woven by Ilocanos, the sugar pine cones are from Veranda by W17, silver ornaments were both from trips abroad, wreath made with red berries is from Japan. Kamagong and ivory box from Cura V and chocolate from Patchi.
If you could have anybody over for dinner, past or present, who would be your dream guest?
I would love to have another meal with my late father. He always brought Christmas cheer to everyone and I miss him dearly. My dream dinner guest would be Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-A-Porter, dubbed by Vogue as “the woman who changed the way we shop.” She was ahead of her time, a visionary, a modern day woman personified. She grew her business from her Chelsea flat while raising her first born. I would love to know more about her story.
Photos by DAIRY DARILAG Assisted by FRANCINE GACRAMA
