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LK Bennett
With most of us celebrating the festive season at home this year, we’ve turned to co-founder of FashMash and lover of all things colourful, Rosanna Falconer to help us set the mood for dinner parties, date nights and Christmas day itself. All great get-togethers start with a beautifully set table and Rosanna takes us through her L.K.B-inspired tablescape along with top tips on how to be the hostess with the mostest…

This season, I’ve taken inspiration from L.K.B’s party collection to create a vibrant and fun tablescape. I wanted to dress the table beautifully as if for a decadent dinner party, even if it's just for a date night at home. For me, that's the essence of the creativity and importance of tablescapes in 2020. It can lift the mood and bring joy!

As is often the case for me, it all began with my outfit - I think that comes from a long career in fashion. Pink and green is one of my favourite combinations so just as my fuchsia courts contrasted with the emerald Kiera dress, I looked to flamingo pink dahlias against twists of eucalyptus and ivy.

At this time of year, festivities are typically awash with scarlet red, forest green and glitzy gold but less typical shades can be just as celebratory. For me, this table taps into Christmas in a more subtle way: ivy and pinecones are a classic and the double-sided velvet ribbons feel opulent, especially contrasted against the classic white linen.

Pinecones picked up from my local park were used like baubles on a tree, their tips painted in antique gold and bejewelled with rhinestones - a cute craft hack for long winter nights. I also love the way they look like disco balls and add a fun talking point to catch the eye. Likewise, the candles are handpainted from Bable in technicolour rainbow stars.

Artful plates are gorgeous, but I wanted this table to use white ones - both as it's something most of us have in our cupboards and also because they form an elegant canvas for the colour scheme. The fun comes in the gold cutlery tied in green velvet ribbon and finished with a vintage brooch. This idea came to me when I saw the L.K.Bennett Christmas campaign with knits jazzed up with a brooch.

There's a fine balance between too much and just right when it comes to tables. Being a maximalist, my ‘more is more’ approach means I might not always strike it! I think the key is to have a clear colour scheme and ensure everything anchors there. I'll always aim to have a flourish of personality - in this case the pinecones and brooches - to elevate the table. I never like my tables to look too perfect - I leave that to restaurants and hotels - this is dining at home and should feel happy and intrinsically linked to the host’s personality.

There's so much to do at this time of year; the most important thing is to focus on friends and family, not wrestle with brussels sprouts. I'll always try to set the table the night before. As for the menu, I opt for slow-cooked dishes that can be made well in advance and then a tart for pudding [salted caramel banoffee is the current favourite]. I do love chocolate fondants but they never work for me in big groups - I get too wrapped up in conversation and - pouf - Mary Berry would put me bottom of the class! A lot of cooks suggest getting your guests to help which I think works well for some [and in a big kitchen] but personally I like to thrust a cocktail straight into friends' hands and get started with them.

I've always liked to get dressed up on Christmas Day, it gives it a sense of occasion, plus it makes the switch into pyjamas all the more delicious come 6pm. The Kiera dress is in such a glorious emerald but then the buttons and bow up the ante - it's ready to party. It's got a waist-skimming twirl, too, if that's where the night takes you. Fill those champagne coupes, light all the candles and I've no doubt it will.

ROSANNA’S TOP 5 HOSTING TIPS:

1. Mix up your friends - invite those who haven't met before, we are all too often stuck in our social circles.

2. Mix up the music - I tend to start with reggae then progress to house anthems - much to my neighbours' annoyance!

3. Put as much effort into dressing the table as dressing yourself. And don't forget to dress the salad while you're at it!

4. Always ask for any allergies in advance - the worst thing you can do is make guests feel uncomfortable.

5. Leave the washing up until everyone has left. Then do it with disco tunes pumping.

For more inspiration, follow Rosanna on Instagram here.