dried Protea flowers and seed pods from the blue gum tree, spray-painted in antique gold; and vintage King’s Pattern cutlery, polished only slightly so as to retain the charm of its mottled patina. And instead of a tree, an agave plant with its sculptural form, given a single coating of gold spray paint and ‘planted’ in a clear glass vase filled with beach sand. ‘Things found in nature, objects that have had many lives already, the soft wrinkle in a piece of linen… this is a constant source of inspiration for me,’ says Algria. ‘Christmas calls for luxury, but there’s no right or wrong interpretation of what that means. Faded and evocative or full-on and festive, as long as what you see makes you happy’ .
My Christmas Style Tips 1. Fill clear white wine and cordial bottles with boiled or distilled water (to stop the water from clouding too soon) and place sprigs of fybos, heather or woody herbs inside. Use as holders for elegant taper candles on your tablescape or wherever you want atmospheric lighting. 2. Source fynbos and create whimsical free-form wreaths and garlands. Use gold and copper craft wire and black leather cord for contrast and a hint of shine.
The monastic influence is seen throughout the space with its muted palette with an emphasis on greys and whites. The dining area, seen here, leads off a quite courtyard area.
The courtyard is the scene of the Christmas gathering. The tablescape is anchored by an oversized Russian linen tablecloth. There is no fixed centrepiece, rather clear glass wine and cordial bottles of varying sizes have been filled with water, some used to hold taper candles and others to display sprigs of fynbos. Black handmade ceramic crockery and recycled glass drinking glasses have a textural appeal, as do the rough-edged linen napkins tied with twine. Antique King’s Pattern cutlery has been lightly polished so as to retain its aged patina. Gifts are wrapped simply, in brown and white paper and finished with sprigs of fynbos and twine. Gold spray-painted seed pods do the job of adding a glamorous festive flair. The seating is a combination of monastic benches and vintage wire garden furniture, gently rusted by the elements. The whimsical garland on the wall is fynbos and found flora, lashed together with twine and gold craft wire. The entire scene is a study in serene, cool greens, greys and bone whites punctuated in dramatic fashion by roughly-textured black and barely there flashes of gold. Place a wrapped gift at each setting to emphasise the festive nature of the gathering.
This deconstructed ‘naked’ cake is made from two classic sponges (one large, one medium) that have been trimmed into circular shapes. Layer only the tops of each cake with buttercream frosting (hence the term ‘naked’) and sprinkle on a fine layer of edible glitter. Embellish with springs of fynbos or woody herbs.
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