Washington, D. C., designer Mary Douglas Drysdale
is known for combining neutrals with sherbet and citrus hues in her designs,
so a traditional palette of red and green at the holidays looks a tad
out of place. Instead, she plays up an interior's colors during the holidays,
whatever they are. In her clients' home, she painted light bulbs raspberry
and royal blue, citrus yellow and winter white--all with Christmas
scenes. Her clients' dining room is set--without a tablecloth--with
a collection of blue-and-white china, clear stemware, and silver flatware
and chargers. A large centerpiece that the owners can move to the demilune
table in the background greets guests. Ornaments scattered about the table
serve as great party favors and shots of color to punch up the space.
Ideas for a colorful, daring table:
*Consider less formal china, informal gingham napkins and festive napkin
rings atop a table in a formal dining room. The lack of a tablecloth keeps
the arrange-ment casual.
*Grand
centerpieces have great impact when guests arrive in the dining room. Clear
a space on a neighboring table to move the arrangement once guests sit down,
so the flowers can still be enjoyed from afar.
*A collection of colorful spherical ornaments may stay on the table. It extends an
arrangement, keeps the table colorful, and provides a great conversation starter.
*The holidays are all about festivity, and a color palette need not dictate
the aesthetic. Take the traditional red a step further to raspberry or
pink. Green might turn up as a shot of chartreuse or even mint. And remember
citrus fruit, in season during winter and full of great holiday color.
