For a holiday table inspired by Nigella Lawson, Food Network design director Wendy Waxman wanted something sophisticated, laid-back and not too fussy. She started with a comfortable dark wood table inspired by the kitchen cabinets in Nigella's home, then scoured New York City flea markets for fun and festive trinkets.
Watch the slideshow below and click on any of the smaller images for more detail. Information on the products Wendy used can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Since Nigella likes her guests to feel relaxed and cozy, Wendy topped a dark wood table with an ethnic paisley throw from ABC Carpet & Home. Look for a muted one in your favorite color, but be sure to use one that blends in, rather than interrupts, your tableware.
No need to fret if you don't have a full set of flatware. Wendy advises using an eclectic assortment of pieces. While setting Nigella's table, she used German forks, American tea spoons and French silver knives. She advises searching on Ebay for similar items.
Nigella doesn't like when everything matches perfectly, so Wendy used an assortment of different napkins from ABC Carpet & Home and folded them all differently.
Wendy selected an assortment of glasses from Crate and Barrel and Williams-Sonoma that are good for both kids and adults.
Add touches of color to your holiday table. Since Nigella is a big fan of icy blue, Wendy added a vintage Hall china pitcher to the table, though any shade of blue would work.
Nigella likes to serve food in quirky household items, such as the vintage tin molds that Wendy found at a New York City flea market. If you'd like to find similar styles, Wendy suggests visiting Bridge Kitchenware.
Nigella likes things amorphously shaped, so Wendy chose plates from the iconic queen of pottery, Eva Zeisel.
Wendy topped Nigella's table with bowls full of figs, raisins and dried apricots which guests can easily pass to one another. A pile of pomegranates also add a nice burst of color and reflect Nigella's sensual style.
Nigella likes to serve food in bowls, so Wendy used some from Anthropologie. They don't match the plates exactly and they're purposely off center.
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