heather & march Focus 

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

Christmas is a time of joyful gatherings, and there’s truly no cosier place to fête the Yuletide than your own home. With family and friends near and far stopping by to spread holiday cheer, your abode should be looking its absolute prime. The stakes are high when it comes to decorating for the holidays: you want a setting that radiates merriment, without overkilling on warmth — and end up with a scene from a Hallmark greeting card.

There’s more to creating a jolly atmosphere than merely putting up a Christmas tree and covering it with ornaments. To show you what a classic and stylish Christmas home is made of, we’ve tapped lifestyle expert Wendy Siu — founder and CEO of upscale home store Heather & March — to demonstrate how she’d dress up her home for the season. Click on as we unfold her planning tips for throwing a holiday party that feels elegant, timeless and completely grown-up.

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 Keep Colours Subdued 

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

Christmas is a traditional holiday to be enjoyed with families and friends, so you can’t really forgo the classic red and green — the colour combo deeply engrained in our culture and collective consciousness. To avoid an overly campy look, use subdued tones as the base colour and have red and green as the garnish. “White is a very modern colour and it’s completely neutral,” says Siu. “It’s a great way to tone down the scene so it doesn’t get oversaturated with strong hues.”

A grand candelabrum can be used as the statement centrepiece, but traditional holiday flowers or a big cake are equally lovely as the focal point of the table.

Tapered Silver candle, from Bougies la Française $130
Tapered pearl candle, from Bougies la Française $130
Six-light candelabra, from Ercuis $179660
Napkin, Paillettes, from Le Jacquard Français $250
Napkin ring, from Ercuis $1450
Breakfast coupe, Mineral, from Raynaud $1460
Dinner plate, Douceurs, from Raynaud $3890
Buffet plate, Caviar, from Raynaud $3590
Dinner knife & spoon, Vieux Paris, from Ercuis $830 each
Name card holders, from Ercuis (set of 6) $2690
Knife or chopstick rest in a gift box, from Ercuis (set of 6) $4750
White wine glass, Staccato, from Montbronn $1760
Red water tumbler, Toccata, from Montbronn $1790
Red champagne flute, Toccata, from Montbronn $2300
Menu holder ring, from Ercuis $1100
Tablecloth, Paillettes, from Le Jacquard Français $1810

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 Play with Textures

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

The holiday season is the ideal time to bring out the finest porcelain in your china cabinet, but don’t be afraid to experiment with layering your wares. In this gorgeous setup, Siu has opted for a silver textured plate as the base, but the futuristic look is immediately balanced with a dinner plate with opulent motifs.

Christmas is also a great opportunity to harken back to tradition: The Turenne butter spreader and knife from Ercuis feature a round knot on the ends, a nod to silver cutlery patterns used in the olden days.

Butter spreader, Turenne, from Ercuis $1700
Cake plate, Douceurs, from Raynaud $1810
Napkin, Paillettes, from Le Jacquard Français $250
Napkin ring, from Ercuis $1450
Breakfast coupe, Mineral, from Raynaud $1460
Name card holders, from Ercuis (set of 6) $2690
Dinner plate, Douceurs, from Raynaud $3890
Buffet plate, Caviar, from Raynaud $3590
Knife or chopstick rest in a gift box, from Ercuis (set of 6) $4750
White wine glass, Staccato, from Montbronn $1760
Red water tumbler, Toccata, from Montbronn $1790
Red champagne flute, Toccata, from Montbronn $2300
Menu holder ring, from Ercuis $1100
Tablecloth, Paillettes, from Le Jacquard Français $1810

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 Bake Something Impressive

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

It's not a jolly celebration without a delicious cake that wows — and Christmas should be no exception. "My go-to baked good for a festive gathering is a multi-layered sponge cake," says Siu. "I'd make an icing cake that's ginger-based, with the addition of icing, marzipan, thick cream, and custard." Strawberry or strawberry jam is the perfect companion to a moist sponge cake, but Siu also suggests using other citrus jams for something zesty and slightly out of the ordinary.

Since there are so many courses in a holiday feast, you may not have time to go all-out with the cake decoration. A quick and easy way amp up the aesthetics of the cake is to add bits of holly and pinecones, which can be easily plucked from decorative wreaths. Add a thin ribbon to create a more luxurious visual impact. 

Tapered Silver candle, from Bougies la Française $130
Tapered pearl candle, from Bougies la Française $130
Six-light candelabra, from Ercuis $179660
Butter spreader, Turenne, from Ercuis $1700
Cake plate, Douceurs, from Raynaud $1810
Name card holders, from Ercuis (set of 6) $2690
Breakfast coupe, Mineral, from Raynaud $1460
Dinner plate, Douceurs, from Raynaud $3890
Tablecloth, Paillettes, from Le Jacquard Français $1810

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 When in Doubt, Add Holly

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

Holly leaves are a major component in Siu's Christmas setup, since they are readily available and set a great basis for other festive add-ons. They can be used to line your mantle or fill up any void on your surfaces. Here, the hollies are layered with mango leaves — another one of Siu's favourites — and berries for a lush and prosperous effect. The jingle bells and ornaments are sourced from France, Italy and all over the world.

Buffet plate, Makassar, from Raynaud $3590
Christmas plate 2016, from Gien $950
Christmas red classic candle, from Bougies la Française $70
Tapered Silver candle, from Bougies la Française $130
Chaise Velleron Trianon, from Mis en Demeure $20780

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Get A Special Gift Set

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

Go to any mall in Hong Kong around Christmastime, and you'll be inundated with limited-edition holiday gift sets that are nothing more than glorified packages with regular merchandise — if you look closely enough. For a gift that feels truly exquisite and handpicked, the Heather & March's Special Christmas Hamper will surely inspire a heartfelt smile.The sumptuous box contains an array of gifts from Siu's favourite high-end home brands: Including Le Jacquard Français' custom-made tea towel (woven with the 2017 calendar), annual limited edition Christmas collection plates from Gien,  the "One For All" glass from Gabriel-Glas that makes holiday entertaining so much easier, refreshing champagne from Laurent-Perrier and a pretty holiday candle from Bougie à La Française that provides high quality, safe and long burning time. A buttery Loison Pandoro Classic Panettone cake rounds out the selection.  All items in the hamper are sourced from France, Italy and Austria, and will be sure to enrich the lives of a recipient with exquisite taste in the decorative arts.

The Heather & March Christmas Hamper 2016 (special offer HK $2,680, originally priced at HK $3,950) contains:

A Limited-Edition Holly Christmas Gift Plate, from Gien
A Filet Noël Dinner Plate, from Gien
A Custom-Made Tea Towel, from Le Jacquard Français
A Decorative Christmas Candle, from Bougies la Française
Two Wine Glasses, from Eisch
A bottle of Brut Champagne, from Laurent-Perrier, 750ml
Loison Pandoro Classic Christmas Panettone
Special Hand-picked Christmas Decorations

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Have Bubbly at the Ready

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

The quintessential drink for parties, champagne can also provide that luxurious personal touch for your guests at a holiday fête. Have a bottle cooling in the ice bucket, so they can help themselves to a welcoming drink.

Champagne bucket, from Erucis $19440
Clear champagne glass, Staccato, from Montbronn $1570
Photophore Bastide, from Côté Table $540
Runner, Venezia, from Le Jacquard Français $1730

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 Save Time for Tea and Desserts

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

After a delectable dinner, the party could continue at the coffee table, where guests can mingle in a more intimate space. Cake and sweets are typically served with classic black teas, and Siu prefers using livelier ceramic tea pots, cups and saucers to support a more casual and comfortable mood. Get some holiday music playing in the background to really create a warm and relaxed ambience, so guests are encouraged to mingle and immersed into the cosy environment.  Gien's Holly and Filet Noël collections feature festive designs that will put your guests in the right mood.

Tea spoon, from Sabre $110
Canape plate, Filet Noël, from Gien $460
Dessert plate, Filet Noël, from Gien $650
Dinner plate, Filet Noël, from Gien $820
Dinner fork, from Sabre $470
Dessert plate, Holly, from Gien $660
Teacup & saucer, Holly, from Gien $1000
Teacup & saucer, Filet Noël, from Gien $950
White cocktail napkin, Sapins, from Noël $690
Oblong tray, Holly, from Gien $1740
Mini dish, Filet Noël, from Gien $350
Sugar bowl, Filet Noël, from Gien $1630
Creamer, Filet Noël, from Gien $1370
Teapot, Filet Noël, from Gien $3730
White placemat, Sapins, from Noël $1300
Serving tray, from Erucis $33050

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 Class up Your Glasses

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

A popular choice during the holidays, these red cut-crystal glasses from Montbronn are cut in the style of piano keys. These elegant flutes and tumblers add a bit of  festive glamour to the table setting.

White wine glass, Staccato, from Montbronn $1760
Red water tumbler, Toccata, from Montbronn $1790
Red champagne flute, Toccata, from Montbronn $2300
Tablecloth, Paillettes, from Le Jacquard Français $1810

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Enhance the Mood with Small Details

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

Look into the little details to add delight for your guests. These cutleries from Ercuis feature an Art Deco-style motif in a bright holiday red — perfect for serving a decadent Christmas feast. 

Dinner plate, Douceurs Raynaud $3890
Dinner fork, Arts Décoratif Ercuis $3000
Dinner knife, Arts Décoratif Ercuis $2820
Dinner fork, Paquebot Ercuis $3090
Dinner knife, Paquebot Ercuis $2910

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Serve Your Broth in a Soup Tureen

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu

Siu is a big fan of serving soup at her Christmas parties — pumpkin, mushroom and chestnut soup is her go-to recipe for autumn and winter. A soup tureen is the ideal vessel to keep your soup warm while serving in a communal setting, with its low height and double handles. Here, she has also laid out the ingredients for her specialty mulled wine — because what's a Christmas celebration without a steaming mug of mulled wine?

Bowl, Millefleurs, from Gien $680
Soup tureen, Filet Rose, from Gien $8190
Tart dish, Toscana, from Gien $1370
Custom-made Tea Towel woven with 2017 Calendar, from Le Jacquard Français $290
Vase, from Côté Table $1270

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All products mentioned are available at the Heather & March flagship store, 216-218, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central. For more aspirational decor ideas, follow Heather & March on Instagram and Facebook.

Photographed by Inga Beckmann; Styling by Wendy Siu