English Cottage Christmas Tablescape
There’s nothing quite as enchanting and inviting as a traditional English Cottage Christmas tablescape. Filled with colour, flickering candles, and classic tableware, it represents the warmth and charm I strive for in my own home.
If this is your first visit to our Red Cottage, welcome. And, if you are regular reader, welcome back!
Today I am delighted to be sharing links to a plethora of Christmas tablescapes for our annual Christmas table bloghop organized by Rita of Panoply! At the bottom of this post you will find links to 16 more tablescapes to inspire you this holiday season.
What is an English Cottage Christmas tablescape?
When I think of a cottage Christmas table, I think of warm, traditional colours, patterned tablecloths, lots of textures, flickering candles and natural elements.
It is cozy and charming, maybe a fire crackling nearby. Heavy stoneware plates paired paired with linen napkins, and simple flatware. It looks almost effortless, yet thoughtfully styled.
If you have visited my tablescapes before, you know that I love to use things I already have, even thinking outside the box to make things work. But, this time I actually allowed myself to splurge on a few key pieces that I will get lots of use from, some just during the Christmas season, and some everyday.
Red, Green, and Gold Christmas Place Setting
My cottage Christmas plate stack embraces all the traditional colours of Christmas. The bold text indicates my new purchases.
- heavy glass gold charger plate with a raised lace pattern that look like the have been around for years (I purchased for $1 each last year at an event rental annual sale)
- green dinner stoneware dinner plates have a slightly raised rim reminiscent of something like Denby Pottery from England (I purchased these plates from Homesense, but I do have some Denby pieces on my wish list!)
- simple hemstitched linen napkin in classic Christmas red (I have had for a few years)
- dainty stoneware appetizer plates with a decorate scalloped edge and a simple green and gold wreath motive (purchased at Canadian Tire)
- my often used simple gold flatware
- a textured footed goblet in a bold red are perfect for water or wine (also purchased at the event rental annual sale)
- simple red and white Christmas crackers (purchased at an after Christmas sale last year)
- boldly patterned holly and berry linen tablecloth (purchased from Homesense)
Centrepiece with natural elements
In England, especially in the country side, residence often gather clippings from their gardens or hedgerows to decorate for the holiday season.
Since my table will remain set for most of the holiday season, I opted to use a faux cedar garland as a simple centrepiece that runs the length of the table. It is complete with pinecones and “wood” twigs, and has a realistic look and feel. I tucked a wood red bead garland throughout.
I purchased these gold bottle brush trees very early in the season for my Christmas mantel, but thought they were the perfect addition to my table.
Two wood candlesticks will be all aglow come Christmas dinner. The natural element of the wood compliments the lifelike cedar garland.
I fell in love with the holly and berry tablecloth the minute I saw it! It is exactly what I think of when I think of a cozy cottage Christmas. It is quite a bold festive pattern that is the perfect backdrop for the textures and colours of the place settings, don’t you think?
Choosing a simpler style
You may have noticed that lately my tablescapes have been somewhat simpler than some I have done in the past. Not minimalist by any means, just less fussy. And, I really couldn’t be more pleased with how this cottage Christmas table turned out.
I have really been leaning in to the cottage style of my own home. The main living space is less than 500 square feet, so it is indeed a cozy space. The more I peruse and study English cottage decor, the more I know it is the very best fit for our home, and really speaks to me and my goal to make it a soft and cozy place to land at the end of a busy day, or to welcome family and friends.
For so many, the holidays can be overwhelmingly busy. And, admittedly the end of November and first few days of December can feel like a bit of a blur, but after that, I know all the “work” preparing for Christmas is pretty much finished and the rest of December is spent at a slower pace enjoying this magical season.
This is the view from our dining room. In the evening, when all the lamps are off and only the twinkling lights on the tree and the garland are on, and the candles all lit, I really couldn’t find a more cozy and relaxing spot to end the day. Hot cup of cocoa in hand, I curl up on the couch with Christmas music on and simply day dream for a bit!
And yes that is an Elf on the Shelf hiding behind the nutcracker!
New to Tablescaping
Check out my 8 tips for setting a fabulous table
16 more Christmas tablescapes to explore!
I truly hope you have enjoyed my cottage Christmas tablescape. Now, its’ time to visit my very talented table styling friends to see what they have prepared for the holiday season!
Panoply – A Christmas Home Tablescape
Hyacinths for the Soul – Plaid Tidings
Everyday Living – Repeat the Sounding Joy
Home is Where the Boat Is – It’s a Marshmallow World with Snowmen
My Thrift Store Addiction – Kringle Family Tree Farm Christmas Tablescape
The Bookish Dilettante – Christmas Traditions Tablescape
Red Cottage Chronicles – English Cottage Christmas Tablescape
Pandora’s Box – Dinner on the Old Round Table
From My Carolina Home – Vintage Christmas Tablescape
Thrifting Wonderland – Christmas Tree Magic
Corner of Plaid and Paisley – Christmas Nutcracker Table
Dinner at Eight – Dreaming of a White (and Blue) Christmas
Belle Bleu Interiors – A Joyous Christmas Table
The Cat’s Whiskerz – A Rustic Christmas Tablescape
Life and Linda – Deer Prancing Through the Snow
Me and My Captain – A German Christmas Tablescape
The Painted Apron – The Season of Giving
I adore that picture over your fireplace! Such a pretty table for your holiday meals.
English Country Cottage is one of my favorite styles and you have created such a cozy and welcoming table. The tablecloth definitely sets the tone. The touches of red throughout the table tie in so well with the tablecloth. Christmas crackers are a tradition in our home. Growing up in Canada we followed many of the English traditions for Christmas. This is a table anyone would love to be seated around for a lovely meal and some convivial company. Merry Christmas!
Lynne
This is beautiful Maureen, the holly tablecloth grabbed me right away! The cedar garland looks so pretty down the length of the table with pinecones and red beads, and the gold bottle brush trees are gorgeous! I know you’ll get a lot of use with the new green plates and the salad plates with the wreath are so sweet. I love the way you tied all the gold together with your flatware and chargers. I wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Maureen, the first thing that caught my eye is your beautiful tablecloth! I also love the natural accents and your pretty wreath plates. Wishing you a joyous Christmas season, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Very traditional, and VERY pretty, Maureen! I love all things English cottage: It’s my very favorite decor style! You’ve nailed the look, and I love your use of traditional colors. The gold looks great with the red and green, and I like your centerpiece/runner. Very pretty. Your plate stacks are fabulous, and I love the gold chargers and flatware. Your mantel is perfect for styling at Christmas: I love the color! I do spy the Elf on the Shelf. Is he naughty? Maybe Santa can keep him in line! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas! XO, RJ
Maureen, beautiful table! I like the idea of greens down the center of the table with a few other details added in. Your’s looks wonderful! Pretty plate stack! Happy Holidays!
Maureen, I have always been a fan of English country or English cottage style! I Love your table with its traditional Christmas colors and patterns. The faux cedar looks really great. The plate stack is so pretty. You will enjoy this table all through the month of December. I love the nutcracker and elf on the shelf, also The traditional styling is perfect. It is always a pleasure to pull up a chair at one of your tables. Wishing you a most joyous Christmas!
I so enjoy coming to your home and seeing your tablescapes, Maureen. I can really lean into your cottage style so comfortably, and am so thankful we are now living more cottage style. And being able to get a glimpse of your living room space is a real treat! The garland with ribbon immediately brought back a memory from our big home we downsized from, I like that. That print over your mantel is so terrific! Your table is truly so fitting for the holiday season. I LOVE the new green stoneware plates and appetizers. Your sources have me intrigued – Canadian Tire? What is that? Such a rough and rowdy name for such a daintily designed plate! And a rental event sale, THAT I could definitely get into (or even host, lol). We must’ve been channeling similar feelings with our choice in tablecloths. I love the holly and berry winter design too. Overall, you really strike a chord of seasonal simplicity with your design, and I love it. Thank you for being a part of this group in tablescaping, and I wish you a very Merry Christmas season to enjoy with your family and friends.
Maureen your table is lovely and captures that English cozy setting. I have always admired the way many of the English folk use their small (usually) spaces so efficiently, yet it looks all comfy and draws one in to sit a spell and enjoy. I can identify with the hot cup of cocoa, sitting by the twinkling lights and reflecting on the day. I wish I could sit in your lovely living room with you and do just that. Yes, I would comment and admire your lovely picture above the fireplace and the adorable elf on the shelf behind the tree and we can’t forget the nutcracker guarding the burning fire in the fireplace. Sigh…thank you for this wonderful table of gold, red and green which is sure to inspire someone out there looking to set up their own English Cottage Christmas tablescape. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Maureen, your table with the English cottage theme is lovely. Love the evergreen down the center of your table with the red beads. The golden bottle brush trees are so pretty and festive. The holly tablecloth is a beautiful backdrop for your Christmas table. The gold, red and green are so traditional and speak Christmas to me. Always a pleasure to join you at the table. Wishing you a joyful holiday season.
Maureen, you definitely achieved your goal of an English Cottage Christmas table – what you have styled here is absolutely beautiful! The tablecloth is gorgeous with your red linen napkins and I’m sure you will find lots of ways to use those lovely new green plates. The charger plates were certainly a score and the annual rental event sale must have been so fun – I bet they have great stuff. I was stunned to hear that those sweet little appetizer plates came from Canadian Tire – I don’t think I’ve ever seen table top items in our stores here. The garland centerpiece is so pretty with the bottle brush trees and the beaded garland. Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a relaxing holiday season!
Maureen, What a beautiful table for Christmas! Your new tablecloth sets the tone with the pretty holly berry pattern in the traditional colors of red and green. I’m a big fan of English Country/Cottage Style which is inherently cozy! Love the sweet bottle brush trees, garland (cedar and beaded), pinecones and gold accents at your table. I especially love the scalloped edge wreath accent plates! As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Wishing you a Merry December and Christmas Season!
Maureen, you have created a beautiful warm and inviting inviting ambiance with your English cottage table. I love your holly tablecloth and those red goblets with all the texture are amazing. Your home looks idealic especially your fireplace! Wishing you a very merry Christmas season
Maureen, your English Cottage Christmas theme has my heart singing. Your table looks so warm and inviting. Everything looks so beautiful! The pretty linens, sweet Christmas plates, and red glassware all combine to create a stunning setting. I hope that you have a wonderful and joyous Christmas season!
I agree wholeheartedly that the holly cloth is the perfect foundation for your lovely tablescape! Traditional reds and greens bring warmth and coziness to holiday (and winter) designs. The deep colors of the platestacks compliment the cloth beautifully. I am especially enamored of the sweet appetizer plates! I’m also taken with the colorful crackers — I just might start the tradition at my house! The way you’ve designed the centerpiece lends the right touch. Enjoyed hopping with you! Merry Christmas