Festive Styling: A Holiday Gathering of Soft Light & Slow Moments

There is a quiet poetry to the holiday season—the way the light softens, the air stills, and the home becomes a vessel for gathering. It’s a time when the world seems to hush just enough for us to notice the beauty in small rituals: the laying of a table, the slow folding of cream into a dessert, the rustle of foliage in a vase as guests arrive.

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It’s a time when the world seems to hush just enough for us to notice the beauty in small rituals

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In this intimate festive setting, stone, fabric, and foliage come together in a gentle conversation. Marble meets travertine, their surfaces cool and grounding, holding the warmth of candle flame and the generosity of shared food. Soft draped linens spill across the tabletop, catching the afternoon light, while the delicate architecture of smoke bush rises above—plum-coloured, airy, and beautifully untamed.

A pavlova sits as the centrepiece, lavish with cream, dried figs, cherries and pears—sunlit colours against creamy whites. It’s the kind of dessert that feels celebratory without effort, easy yet unforgettable, the perfect sweet for long lunches and late-evening conversation.

Nearby, glasses glow with a pale, festive drink—white, translucent, flecked with pomegranate seeds that rise and fall like tiny jewels. Sprigs of thyme drift across the surface, offering a whisper of herbaceous perfume. Together, they bring freshness to the richness of the pavlova and a sense of ceremony to the moment.

Above it all, a new sculpture hangs like a soft breeze caught in time—an abstract fold that adds movement to stillness, depth to simplicity. It anchors the space without dominating it, a gentle gesture of artistry that speaks in curves and shadows. A hint of what’s to come, with more BYL Studio sculptures arriving online soon.

This is festive styling at its most honest: not loud or overdone, but atmospheric, tactile, and deeply felt. A scene built on natural materials, quiet luxury, and the desire to create a moment that lingers long after the table has been cleared.

We want to share a couple of our favourite recipes to celebrate with friends and loved ones that pair beautifully::

Fig, Cherry & Pear Pavlova

Serves 8

A classic summer pavlova with a luxurious twist—perfect for an Australian Christmas table.

Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 1 tsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup thickened cream, whipped
• Fresh cherries 
• Tin of Mini Pears
• Dried figs, sliced

Method

1. Preheat oven to 120°C (fan-forced).

2. Whip egg whites until soft peaks form.

3. Gradually add sugar, beating until glossy and stiff.

4. Fold in vinegar and vanilla.

5. Shape onto a lined tray and bake for 1 hour.

6. Turn the oven off and allow the pavlova to cool inside with the door closed.

7. Just before serving, spoon over the whipped cream and decorate with dried figs, cherries and mini poached pears.

Light, celebratory, and beautifully textural—especially when served on a cool stone Zia Cake Stand.

White Sparkle with Pomegranate & Thyme

Refreshing, festive, and delicately coloured.

Ingredients

• Sparkling water or sparkling elderflower
• A splash of white wine or prosecco (optional)
• A handful of pomegranate seeds
• Fresh thyme sprigs

Method

1. Fill glasses with chilled sparkling base.

2. Add a scattering of pomegranate seeds.

3. Gently bruise a sprig of thyme and let it float on top.

4. Serve immediately—the pomegranate seeds dance beautifully in the bubbles.

Featured Pieces

These pieces helped shape the atmosphere of this scene—quietly, gracefully, and through their materiality and form.

Palladio Table
A meeting of marble and travertine, sculptural yet subtle, grounding the entire setting with its natural stone presence.

Josef Rattan Chair
Warm, tactile, and timeless—bringing comfort and natural texture to the moment.

Zia Cake Stand in Calacatta Marble
A soft, elegant pedestal for festive desserts, its veining adding gentle movement beneath the pavlova.

Amalia Candle Holders
Stone forms carved in simple, architectural lines that cast a warm, atmospheric glow.

Golden Moments Candle
A quiet scent that softly anchors the room in warmth.

Alexa Vase
A refined vessel holding the drama and softness of smoke bush with ease.

BYL Studio Wall Sculpture
A gentle fold of form and shadow—like fabric captured mid-drift. More sculptures arriving soon.