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Festive Folktale

Willow on the inspiration behind the wintery & whimsical tabletop collection...

Festive Folktale  - a wintery, whimsical tabletop collection draws inspiration from wintery tales of days gone by - embracing the season’s shorter yet slower days and capturing the light, while lingering with loved ones for winter festivities. A collection of thoughtfully designed and hand crafted pieces to treasure for seasons and generations to come, and especially at this magical time of year…

Setting the scene are table linens that feature a beautiful botanical hand illustrated pattern in green on a cream background inspired by Willow’s favourite flowers, with generously sized tablecloth and matching napkins. The Loving Cup is back, of course, this time with a botanical green motif on a white background to use this season and beyond. Stars of the collection are a range of hand thrown and painted ceramics created by artisans in Romania, corn husk angel decorations to adorn simply everywhere and pretty floral gold candle carousels (that spin and catch the light magically). Joining the claret red velvet bow collection is a checkerboard woven bow that draws on all the colours of the collection - to use on table settings (attached to napkin rings); on the Christmas tree; for present wrapping and more! There are also several vases including a fine, clear ribbed stem vase and a trio of stem vases in a smoky green petal-shaped glass that layer beautifully with the petal ceramic & scalloped candlesticks, and recycled glass tumblers in a similar palette. Just add candles (we love the greens and creams and a festive red) and seasonal flowers, of course.

Festive Folktale tabletop collection

I wanted the collection to be very pretty, very whimsical, almost a bit 'Scandi' feeling...
Tell us about Festive Folktale - what inspiration from folklore has influenced the designs for the collection? 
I wanted the collection to be very pretty, very whimsical, almost a bit Scandi feeling. Folktales are a comforting reminder of embracing the seasons and passing on through generations, and that is what I want most from this collection. The angels feel very childlike, very homespun and soft and go so beautifully with the hand drawn linens.  It all began with a colour palette - I wanted it to be green and very soft pink, rather than a traditional green and red and the table cloth and napkins were the starting point. I hope our own Festive Folktale inspires love for the winter months, embracing slower days and warm, welcoming celebrations.

What are your favourite pieces in the collection? 
The linens. I’m absolutely obsessed with them.  

The Loving Cup is back, of course, for this new collection with a beautiful botanical print... 
Of course she’s back!  I cant wait to fill her with huge bunches of anemones and ranunculus and also planning on planting hyacinth bulbs topped with moss in them too, they’re perfect for bulbs.

Tell us about the magical candle carousel you designed… 
I’ve been mesmerised by candle carousels since I was small and am so excited to have designed some of our own.  The dangly leaves are the leaf design from our linens and are so pretty and twinkly!  We have some big ones coming too and they look so pretty lined along the table together.

The beautiful bestselling velvet bows are back! And a new showstopper woven checkerboard bow. Can you tell us more about the ever expanding bow bar and how you’ll personally use the bows this festive season?
I cant decide which one I love more...  Image a tree filled with the checkerboard ones?!  SO Chic. I might start wearing them as a bow tie too.  And in my hair. And on Poppy (our dog). I love them tied to the back of our dining room chairs too for real bow overload!

Tell us about the angel decorations and how will you use the angel decorations this festive season? 
I don't what it is about these angels but I absolutely adore them!  They're so beautiful.  Ours will be on the table as name place holders, hanging off the Christmas tree and given to god daughters to use as worry dolls.  I used to have them when I was little and thought they were the best thing ever so I'll write a little note for each one and wrap her up.

How will you use the artisan-made ceramic wavy, side and mini bowls this season?
I've been sampling them for the past six months and have used them for everything!  They’re all over the house.  As serving bowls, as vases, crisp bowls, for bath salts, housing my rings, ive got some with cucamelons in right on front of me now.  They’re so beautiful and also the most brilliant present.

The petal theme runs throughout the collection and there are now a mix of ceramic and glass petal bud vases and ceramic candlesticks and the candle carousel - are they best layered together on the table?
Definitely! Layer them up, the more the better. 

What dinner candle colours would you choose to mix with the collection?
Well I love the mix of cream, blue and greens for a calm vibe but when using the red or checkerboard bows, I go full on pinks and purples to add extra wow!

    How would your idyllic slow winter day unfold?
    I'd wake up naturally with no alarm and no school run rushing.  Long, chilly walks,  roaring fire, roast chicken, a washing up fairy, endless rounds of draughts with the boys, mars bar ice creams, red wine, blankets on the sofa, lots of new magazines and a great book. 

    What are your festive traditions for decorating and entertaining?
    Charlie always jokes I'm like Scrooge as usually have decorated so many other peoples houses for them they by the time it comes to ours, im totally over it!  We have a lot of wreaths, lots of fairy lights, a big garland over the mantelpiece and a beautiful tree.  This year the tree is going to be decked with a lot of the red velvet bows and the angels from the new collection...

    Favourite Christmas food moment?
    Boxing Day lunch. Cold roast turkey, roast ham, baked potatoes, avocado and seedy salads, red cabbage, buckets of bread sauce (most important bit). The dream.  It's my favourite meal of the year for sure.

    Festive drink to serve/share?
    Charlie’s Christmas cocktails!

     

    My idyllic winter day would have long, chilly walks, roaring fire, roast chicken, a washing up fairy, endless rounds of draughts with the boys, mars bar ice creams, red wine, blankets on the sofa...

    A favourite Christmas canapé?
    Mini Yorkshire pudding, roast beef and horseradish sauce.

    A favourite Christmas carol or song?
    Elton John's Step into Christmas.

    A Christmas film you always watch?
    The Snowman. Nothing says Christmas to me more than that film.  

    A scent that evokes Christmas to you?
    Tangerines.

    Discover the Festive Folktale Collection here. Follow Willow for more inspiration for finding joy everyday.

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