CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
>> 1: With their bright red color and smooth skins,
ripe apples are the perfect complement to shiny table
accessories. Here, the apples are paired with polished
nautilus shells and placed in a giant Cipolla pewter
punch bowl, at one of the Neiman Marcus-decorated
tables at C. S. Wo.

Tables of Content

Festive holiday table settings
make glorious use of the
humblest of ingredients

---

By Suzanne Tswei
stswei@starbulletin

Persimmons, apples, pears, cranberries and walnuts aren't just for eating. Their rich colors and textures also are the perfect trimmings for festive holiday table settings.

A vivid orange persimmon can go a long way in adding a creative dash of color to a table. And what's more, fruit are inexpensive and, in a one-night party setting, perfectly edible at eve's end.

Douglas Jago, visual presentation manager for Neiman Marcus, and his staff designed eight festive tables with a winter harvest theme, on view through next Tuesday at C.S. Wo Gallery.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
>> 2: Hermes le Jardin de Pythagore, is a
whimsical presentation of pomegranate served
atop cranberries. Actually, the idea here is not
about dessert but about bringing the rich of
colors of fall to the holiday table.

The pictures presented here offer a few ideas to start with. Add some fresh flowers and sparkly elements, such as beaded place settings, for a personal touch, he advises. Choose a color scheme to complement your china and linen.

A vase filled with cranberries and topped with tulips can be a centerpiece in itself.

A bowl of water lettuce and fresh lilies can last through the holiday season with refills of clean water.

One trick to remember when using cranberries is to fill a vase with the fruit before adding water, otherwise the berries will float. They can easily last a week without refrigeration.

C.S. Wo Gallery is at 702 S. Beretania St. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends. The store will be closed Thanksgiving Day. Call 543-5388 for more information.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
>> 3: At the Versace table, pink is the color
scheme, including a delicate compote of roses.
Save a few Christmas ornaments for the table
after you're done trimming the tree. Hang them
on a wire Christmas tree with a couple of star
lanterns to create an eye-catching table.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
>> 4: All you need is one pineapple, some
preserved watermelon seeds and a clear glass
or crystal bowl for this centerpiece. As a bonus,
the fresh scent of the pineapple will add to a
home's festive atmosphere.

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
>> 5: At the Hermes le Jardin de Pythagore table,
a cake dish pulls a little overtime duty as a vessel
for earthy walnuts and cranberries. Place a nutcracker
next to the arrangement and don't be surprised if the
dish is left bare by the end of a party.

Click for online
calendars and events.