cottona-christmastable-collage

Christmas table 2017 – A winter trip from Tuscany to the Scottish Highlands

With the holidays ahead, I am already eager to make the house Christmas-proof. You will not be surprised to hear that my highlight is the styling of the Christmas table ; ) At Cottona, we present five Christmas table styles every year. You can find them in the new Cottona Christmas table magazine 2017. Read this post for a preview of these styles. Continue reading

Easter tablecloth
Photos: Cottona and Pinterest

Easter fun – Which Easter tablecloth will you put on the table?

It is nearly Easter again. I have not yet decided which Easter tablecloth to put on the table. To simplify the choice a bit, I have made mood boards in four different styles, each with a different tablecloth and different Easter decorations. I hope this will make the choice easier. Take a look! Continue reading

Easter decorations 2017 – Spring holiday
Photo's: Cottona and Pinterest

Easter decorations 2017 – Spring holiday

For me, Easter is an ideal holiday. More informal, with expectations that are not as high as for Christmas. That is why I really enjoy inviting friends and family at this time for a beautifully set table and delicious food. I have not quite decided what we are going to eat. For Easter decorations, I make it easy on myself. Eggs painted in ombré colours look stylish, and they are really a snap to do. You make different paint baths with increasing amounts of colour. Prefer a marbled effect? Make it modern in ink-blue shades. I find flowering branches combined with cut flowers beautiful, but you will never go wrong with fun decorations hung on them either. Not much time? Then make your napkin – in the same shade as the table cloth – into a nest and place an egg in it. Flowers on the table? Buttercups! Cheerful spring blossoms are a must on every Spring table.

recipe pasta salad
In the photo: tablecloth and napkins Cottona damask collection, photo: Tom Nooijen

Pasta salad recipe – Celebrate Spring with Orecchiette spring salad

While I write this post – recipe for pasta salad – I am on my balcony enjoying the first Spring sunshine. Terrific! Those first warm rays of sun mean that you almost immediately wake from your winter sleep and look forward to summer with fresh new energy.

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table linens

Table linens – craftsmanship through and through

Linen is the classic table linen material. I have written before about my personal preference for this fabric. I love all fabrics, but if I had to choose one, it would be linen. Table linen is easy to care for. Let it dry outside and, as far as I’m concerned, spread it on the table without ironing. Table linens from Cottona come in two qualities: natural linen and hotel-quality linen. Continue reading

snacks recipes
Tablecloth: glamour collection of Cottona, Photo: Tom Nooijen.

Special snacks recipes for festive December evenings

Snacks recipes are too rare. Anyone can cut up some cheese and sausage and throw a good bitterbal into the deep fryer. You sometimes come across a lonely wrap with salmon at a party. But unfortunately it often does not get any more festive than that.

Can snacks for a party – next to being easy – also be delicious? I think so! I give you inspiration this month for festive snacks that are quick to make and taste terrific, including wine tips. From a quirky sushi without fish to a crunchy bruschetta with mushrooms or asparagus and lovely, creamy burrata. Use it as inspiration and leave the cheese and sausage in the refrigerator at your next party.

Enjoy!

Tom Continue reading