How I Gave Pottery Barn the Checks and Spots Treatement for Christmas

Shop The Look // Santino Recycled Glass Serving Bowl, $69

Shop The Look // Sea Critter Outdoor Platter, $44

This is a Sponsored Post // Styling by Clare Hillier and Sally Singline // Photography by Fiona Storey

Pottery Barn has a style that is instantly recognisable the world over. More than a furniture brand, it offers a whole lifestyle that has a heritage American feel.

With the festive season just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to take this classic and well-loved brand and give it a Checks and Spots spin. Fresh. Contemporary. Laid-back. This is how I’ve reimagined Pottery Barn for the perfect, outdoors Australian Christmas.

Shop The Look // PB Classic Belgian Flax Linen Hemstitch Tablecloth, $139 // Belgian Linen Flax Everyday Napkin, Set of 4, $44 // Vintage Wood Napkin Ring, $9 // Paros Round Charger, $29 // Rope Outdoor Dinner Plate, $14 // Sea Critter Outdoor Salad Plate, Set of 4, $44 // Caterer’s 12 Piece Glassware Set – Stemless Wine, $69 // Caterer’s 12 Piece Glassware Set – Wine Stem, $84

Shop The Look // Blonde Wood Paddle Pedestal, $69

Shop The Look // Malta Lantern, $159 // Silver Coloured Bead Strand, $44

Shop The Look // PB Classic Belgian Flax Linen Hemstitch Tablecloth, $139 // Belgian Linen Flax Everyday Napkin, Set of 4, $44 // Vintage Wood Napkin Ring, $9 // Paros Round Charger, $29 // Rope Outdoor Dinner Plate, $14 // Sea Critter Outdoor Salad Plate, Set of 4, $44 // Caterer’s 12 Piece Glassware Set – Stemless Wine, $69 // Caterer’s 12 Piece Glassware Set – Wine Stem, $84 // Rope Outdoor Serving Set, $22

How To Create A Modern Christmas Table

To bring the seasonal spirit into your home without the usual Christmas cliches, steer clear of the overworked colour combination of red and green. Instead, choose one colour – like silver, red, gold or white – to play a starring role.

For our Christmas table I stuck to a palette of reds. To soften the look, I introduced texture play in neutral tones. From a blonde wood paddle pedestal and natural rattan chargers to classic linen napkins, these pieces lent visual interest but didn’t dominate the look.

Since Christmas shouldn’t be too serious (after all, it is a time to eat, drink and be merry!), I used Pottery Barn’s Sea Critter melamine range to give our table personality. The quirky, graphic print stayed true to my palette of reds, while its coastal aesthetic gives things a summery feel. Plus, this sort of pattern is festive without being too Christmassy, so I can use it all year round.

To finish things off, I kept our decorations simple yet strong. Oversized lanterns dressed in strands of silver beads are perfect for Christmas day by the pool…plus we can light the candles when the sun goes down and make the most of the balmy nights and good times that make summer my favourite time of year.