One of my favourite creative moments so far this season was a dinner party I hosted for my lovely friends Nick and Royston. I wanted the evening to feel warm, welcoming and a little bit magical, so I teamed up with the wonderful Paul Hawkins, a well-known florist from London with an incredible eye for detail, to design a winter tablescape that mixed both fresh and faux foliage!

Bringing fresh and faux together is something I’m always excited to play with. Fresh stems add softness and scent, while faux pieces give structure, longevity and the freedom to build something that lasts the whole evening without wilting. For this table, we started with a garland running centrally along the table, and then built it up from there.

With real rose stems in vases, faux berries and pine cones, real potted Naked Hellebores alongside faux hellebore stems to create a look that felt abundant, seasonal and beautifully textural. We also used our gorgeous place settings, that matched the foliage in the table beautifully. 

The combination gave us the best of both worlds and allowed the design to hold its shape from welcome drinks right through to dessert. Paul referred to it as 'hedgerow-chic' which I think sums it up beautifully!

When recreating this at home, a few simple tips make all the difference.

The first is not to aim for perfect symmetry. Nature rarely grows in a straight line, and the charm of a winter table often comes from those gentle twists and turns. Let stems fall naturally and don’t worry if one side has a little more movement than the other.

Woody branches are another favourite of mine, and Paul and I added plenty of contorta and pine cones to bring in that rustic, hedgerow feel. Their natural curves add height and drama without overpowering the table.

And of course, candlelight is essential. Candle glow softens the whole scene and brings that cosy winter magic. We used a mix of candle sizes, including our tea light holders filled with faux berries, which add a beautiful flicker and tie the whole tablescape together.

With a little layering, a bit of playfulness and a few of your favourite stems, you can transform your winter table into something truly special.