Holiday Inspiration No. 2: Table setting by Pouf Cph
Read the full interview below.
How do you spend your Christmas? Do you have any holiday traditions?
Christmas is a very special time of year for me. I have a small family and a close circle of dear friends, and this is when everything slows down and gathers back together. It’s the season where presence matters more than anything else — the
repetition of songs, flavours, and small rituals that mark another year passing. I start thinking about Christmas far too early every year, quietly playing carols in my head long before I dare to put them on at home.
Our traditions are simple but cherished: the countless Christmas markets (the one in Gurre, Northern Sealand, in particular), finding our tree, and all the small rituals that make the season feel real — making decorations, ice skating, winter bathing, or taking long walks in the cold. I used to care a lot about how Christmas looked — the symmetry, the right palette, the perfect tree — until my daughter was old enough to take part. Now I’ve let go of that. What starts as a small Christmas decoration in her room quickly becomes a full-on
Santa’s workshop explosion that can’t be contained and somehow spills into the rest of the house.
What’s on your Christmas menu?
Ours is a very traditional Danish Christmas table — duck, roasted pork, caramelised potatoes, gravy, and all the classics. But since I eat very little meat, I’m always on salad duty. I love creating something fresh to balance all tha richness: leafy greens, walnuts, berries, lots of color. It’s a tradition that all guests bring a part of the meal, so no one is left doing everything. It’s a small thing, but it makes the evening feel generous and shared — a table built by all of us together.
Is there something that will always be on your table?
Always silver. One of my most precious possessions is a silver-plated cutlery set passed on by my mum, and I use it at every special occasion. Silver has such a soft, forgiving light; it reflects rather than dominates. I’m also a dedicated sauce person — a beautiful sauce bowl, always finds its way onto my tables. And I’ll never host without at least one silver tray. It anchors the whole setting and brings a quiet sense of continuity.
What’s your approach when creating a holiday table?
A sound starting point is always colour for me. Colour is where the mood begins. Remember that white doesn’t have to feel cold or minimal, and red doesn’t automatically mean classic Christmas. It’s all in how you layer it; texture, light, and balance can completely shift the feeling. I also consider whether there’s some playful elements I want to embed in the setting — tassels, frills, bows. Or maybe it’s a special serving piece I want to make the center of attention. Those details can quietly guide the rest. And then, of course, the food plays its part. What you’re serving will naturally shape the mood and materials of the table. A lavish table doesn’t have to break the bank; I think we’re all mindful of the prices in this day and age. Branches, herbs, or nuts you already have can make something beautiful. Or one thoughtful addition — a single flower, fabric, or object — can bring it all together. I often using what’s nearby: a walk in the forest, a handful of twigs, a small bundle of flowers. Varying the height makes a big difference too. Use pedestals, trays, or serving pieces at different levels to create movement. I love making small pedestal food towers – commit to a fruit, a sweet or so, and trust the process. They’re actually easy to do, you just need to set aside the time for it.
The best tables are the ones that invite people in and encourage conversation, not overpowering it all; Its the ones where people stay for hours, refilling their glasses and forgetting what time it is.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find a lot of inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram, and then reinterpret it through my own lens. Bookmark a few visuals you like, and the algorithms will do their work and feed you with aesthetically similar ideas. I also love browsing through stilleben paintings on Pinterest, and old 18th–19th century stencil drawings or food pedestal designs. Their colours and compositions never fail to inspire me.
I really enjoy going to local farmers’ and green markets and seeing what’s in season. A table design can easily begin with something simple you come across — the colour of figs, a bunch of herbs, a certain texture of linen. Ideas are everywhere, but they only become interesting once you make them your own.
And honestly, the only real rule is to put your heart into it and not tie yourself to replicating something. Guests can tell when something has been made with care. It doesn’t have to be perfect — just real.
Three pieces of advice for creating an inspiring table?
Start with emotion, not perfection — find your own starting
point. It might be a colour, a few decorative details, or even something from
the food itself. Gather a few references and make a small collage; it helps to
see how things connect. Play with height to give the table rhythm and movement.
And use what you have — cook with it, decorate with it, let it feel alive.
