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Be My Guest With Ina Garten
series • cooking
PG
series • cooking
PG
Love the aesthetic of Hampton style homes? Us too.
And when thinking about decorating a festive table in the southern hemisphere – where Christmas knitwear, mulled wine and roast turkey are swapped for light linens, chilled spritzes, and fresh seafood – it's your cue for embracing the Hamptons vibe in your home, characterised by natural fabrics, earthy palettes, native flora, and coastal-inspired accents.
Here is your expert-led guide to achieving a dreamy Hampton style dining table setting that is thoughtfully styled to celebrate our unique Australian way of life, and offer a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Opt for a neutral palette with accents of colour
The key to creating a serene and stylish, Hamptons-meets-Australia dining setting, lies in the colour palette. "Earthy linens and dusty greens – eucalypts, olive branches or even rosemary have stunning foliage and a beautiful fresh smell, mixed with a touch of silver or gold. It feels a lot more relaxed than traditional reds and greens but still provides a laid back elegance,” says Anna Wood, from Melbourne-based interior design studio .
Interior stylists Louise Roche, ambassador for , suggests a similar philosophy: "Natural colours and textures, such as browns, greens, and gold, are always great colours to include in your Christmas palette, that don't make the space look too loud and busy."
Neutral colours and natural materials, as embodied in Ina Garten's Hamptons home, are key to this aesthetic. Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
Embrace natural and native elements
Incorporating local flora is a simple way to celebrate Australia’s unique landscape and bring freshness to your table.
Louise suggests starting with a centrepiece of florals, but keeping it simple and only combining one or two types together. "You can use local flora and natural collected items in vases, weave them into garlands, or scatter them down the centre of the table."
Wood says that using eucalypt boughs, olive branches, flowers like proteas adds a touch of greenery and a festive aroma. For a more festive touch, she suggests "gumnuts spray painted silver or gold can add some beautiful finishing touches and reference our stunning landscape”.
She also recommends tying a sprig of rosemary or a small floral stem around napkins with twine for a charming, rustic feel. These touches can also help with personalising the table, using them as accessories for place cards. "A handwritten place card in a lovely gold or silver pen can elevate the table without much effort," she says.
Simple touches like twine and a rosemary sprig are easy ways to bring nature to the table. Source: Moment RF / Oleg Breslavtsev/Getty Images
Anna also shares her love for using backyard foliage for decorations: “There are always beautiful flowers or broughs from the garden that look terrific when placed en masse in vases or singularly in bud vases." She also recommends simple yet creative hacks, such as repurposing old jam jars as candle holders or hand-painting gumnuts to add a festive touch to the table.
Use textures to create depth and visual interest
Layering textures is essential for achieving the casual luxury associated with Hamptons-style dining table settings. "Mixing different textures – a solid oak dining table, linen tablecloths, woven placemats, and ceramics – adds visual interest and depth," Louise explains.
“For visual appeal, ensure the heights vary, but also ensure guests can chat without interruption. I love layering in handmade ceramic dinnerware sets, a few statement candle pieces layered in for later in the evening create and accentuate a festive mood.
Use nature and coastal inspired textures to achieve the Hamptons aesthetic. Source: iStockphoto / puhimec/Getty Images
Dos and don'ts for a Hamptons style dining table setting
However you approach it, there are a few golden rules to follow when setting a table for entertaining.
“Avoid overcrowding the table with too many decorations. This can clutter the table and make it look quite messy”, says Roche. "And ensure there is space for conversation across the table so guests don’t have to move around your styling."
Wood too warns against "overdoing the decorations," as this can leave little space for food and make the table feel cluttered. Make sure to leave space for the food.
And finally, “Avoid harsh lighting, and instead opt for soft, warm lighting that can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere,” Roche recommends.
If you're entertaining outdoors, you can create a festive atmosphere with "twinkling lights, hanging decorations, and the sounds of nature," says Roche.
Indoors, Wood advises opening doors and windows to "let the outside in," creating an airy, summery vibe while keeping guests comfortable.
By embracing a neutral palate, natural elements, thoughtful personal touches and sustainable practices, you can create a table setting that not only looks stunning but also enhances the joy of festive-season gathering.
As Roche puts it, "Your table should evoke a sense of tranquillity and celebration," and Anna adds, "It's about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that is elegant but relaxed."
