Kitchens and softening them for the holidays

For those of us hosting some of the holiday gatherings the count down is on to make our houses magical and festive. The kitchen is a hard one to turn into a wonderland especially if its open plan as mine is - whereby the dining area merges seamlessly into the kitchen. I want it too look fabulous but at the same time its got its work cut out with a zillion pots. pans and ingrediants everywhere. This year I am thinking of putting a little mini tree on the center island and then decanting nibbles in all sorts of sweet little containers so people can munch whilst hanging out with me stiring and know doubt getting in a flap. I am also going to sling a line of fairly lights along the floor as when we eat all the kitchen lights will be dimmed to the softest glow and only candle light and fairy lights as well as the light from the fire will illuminate the space.Candles and t-lights are fabulous to cluster in the kitchen once all the cooking is done as is the odd decoration artfully placed on the counters. One of the coolest kitchens I have seen in a long while is a Kelly Wearstler design. I am a little biased since I am obsessed with black but I love the whole stacking of crockery everywhere. Heaps of plates, stacks of cups looks super sweet and it softens what could otherwise be quite a harsh looking space. Even more genius is how the super sleek feel of the kitchen works so beautifully with a collection of girly almost granny esq crockery. Who ever thought industrial chic coupled with a granny/feminine vibe could hang out so well together.