Cover Story
A case for festive at-home entertaining this Christmas, according to Great Dane
Décor to delight, with the Melbourne-based purveyors of meaningful home style.
2 Minute Read
“We sit at the table more than a thousand times every year of our lives and our meals bring such pleasure to our lives that we should make an effort, so it becomes an enjoyable occasion. We should seize any opportunity to provide it with poetry and delight” – Estrid Ericson in a 1945 radio interview.
Wonder-worthy home adorning that strikes a balance between beauty and purpose is Great Dane’s forte. And with the long-awaited festive season ahead set to be one like never before, we’re heeding caution to the most joyous ways to welcome loved ones back into our abodes. Here, the Melbourne-hailing curators of Danish and Scandinavian furniture share their summer tips on exquisite and emotive harnessing of the home with Harrolds.
There’s nothing like ceremoniously setting the holiday table
In a revival of at-home entertaining, what should we hone or focus on?
There’s nothing like ceremoniously setting the holiday table, continuing rituals or creating new traditions with superb company, potent cocktails and tactful (but liveable) styling. We’re opting for beauty and celebration this season, with pieces that will propel joy for Christmases to come.
Like most of our fellow Melbournians, relishing in the freedoms of spending time with loved ones whilst enjoying good food and wine is our focus. To embellish this mood, we recommend setting a distinct atmosphere through lighting and music, and of course finessing a decorative scene with our most cherished pieces. Merry mainstays include beautiful handmade glassware, vases and candles to make an event extra special.
Simple ways to up-style a blank dining table?
We have an aesthetic preoccupation with wood and always aim to highlight the natural characteristics of the tree. To us, the knots and small cracks in each individual plank is akin to treasure. That’s why we choose to let the timber speak for itself without styling it too much. We tend to follow a less-is-more approach, rejoicing organic timber and festooning its surface only a simple, bespoke vase. Opt for the 2Lips, Kolonn or Pallo.
What’s one must-have glassware item for elevating cocktail night?
The Perfection Cocktail Glass from Tom Nybroe’s Perfection range is perfect for cradling everything indulgent, from an urbane cosmopolitan to a refreshing sorbet between courses. For something a little stronger, the Perfection Martini Glass is as elegant as it is functional.
What trends are coming into play for dining/living arenas in spring/summer?
We tend to not focus on trends, rather follow a simple yet refined design ethos of buying once and buying well. Our furniture, lighting and accessories have been carefully selected based on impeccable craftsmanship and design, to last a lifetime and hopefully be passed on to future generations to come.
This summer, we’ll be convening around the Tree Table by dk3 styled with the DC09 dining chair, accompanied by our latest collection of glassware designed by Carina Seth Andersson. Known for distinctive yet purposeful glass and ceramic work, her design process is about scaling-back, finding the balance between simplicity and meaningful form to result in pieces that have a timeless quality.
