Rupert’s own home is a double-volume industrial space with million-dollar views of Table Mountain and a spellbinding interior that is “a curation of all the gems that I have found on my life’s journey, things that have meaning to me.” It is in this urban, stripped-back setting that Rupert has foregone the conventional Christmas sentimentalities and instead conjured up a darker, more dramatic vision that marries the Gothic elements he loves with opulent accents and lashings of foraged botanicals—all of which are connected by a colour palette inspired by the paintings of the Dutch Old Masters. It’s a kind of magic. (vm-central.com)

Rupert says, “I seem to have come full circle with my home. I used to live in this same building [that was previously offices] but in a much smaller loft. My next home after that was an old heritage cottage. When this space became available and I had a look, I fell back in love with the openness of an industrial building, the high-volumes, and warehouse fittings. And there was this amazing view of the mountain. So here I am back in the heart of the city.”

In describing his design aesthetic, he comments, “For my interiors, I prefer a canvas of black and white which I then Iayer with texture, plants, and objects that reflect my love for vintage and the unusual.” He also expressed a love of entertaining and having friends over. “Normally, it is very relaxed and low-key, but I do like to make a bit of an effort for special occasions like birthdays, Christmas and New Year,” he adds.

When asked about his tips for entertaining, he said, “Setting an interesting table is something I really like spending time on. A beautiful table can make a get-together so much more memorable. Colour and textures are very important to me when putting together a table. And of course, greenery, beautiful ceramics, and glassware complete the setting.”

A potted, well-established indoor ficus assumes the role of Christmas-tree-in-chief, complete with gifts positioned in their rightful place. The wrapping paper, with its dark background and moody botanicals, connects with the greater decorative theme.

• Using an existing indoor tree is an eco-friendly alternative to a short-lived pine, spruce, fir, or artificial option.
• The graphic ornaments have been handmade using cardstock in black, matt gold, and a natural finish and are hung with plain butcher’s string. Their shapes bring to mind baroque architectural onion domes and Eastern Orthodox turrets.
• A black, wooden-beaded rosary hanging from a branch is a subtle reference to the spiritual aspect of Christmas.
• Cheap and decidedly cheerful, delicate rice lights—seen here wrapped around the tree and draped over gifts—are obligatory at Christmas and should be used in abundance.
• Make bespoke wrapping paper to compliment the theme of your Christmas decor. Find imagery you like from one of the many public domain museum or art gallery resources (we recommend the Rijksstudio library of the Rijksmuseum rijksmuseum.nl) and have artworks professionally printed onto large sheets of paper to use as gift wrap.

• Use simple post office tags rather than cards to denote names on gifts. It’s old-school, cool, and cost-effective.
• Every last detail has been carefully considered. The ribbon decorating the gifts, for example, marries with other purple highlights such as the icing on a festive cake, plump figs and plums, as well as the distinctive mauve of thistle flowers.
• Metallic ornaments tucked in between the presents evoke the comfort of the familiar and introduce a touch of bling.

Of all the elements that make up a Christmas gathering, the festive table should conjure up the greatest sense of drama and occasion. With a centrepiece that evokes romantic notions of just-foraged greenery, opulent chandeliers hung fashionably low, theatrical black candles, green glassware displayed en masse, muted gold cutlery, and artfully mismatched crockery, this reimagined offering is suitably show-stopping and edgy—its inspiration drawn from the still life paintings of the Dutch Old Masters (with a touch of Nick Cave) and alfresco living.

• With such luscious adornments and inviting textures, a linen tablecloth would feel superfluous. Indeed, the contrast between the weather-worn patina of the old farmhouse table and the more sophisticated objects lends the entire scene its unique rebel charm.
• Arrange swathes of magnolia leaves, camellia, and ivy down the centre of the table. For colour, intersperse these waxy greens with species such as pepper tree branches in fruit with pink berries as well as thistles. Loosely secure the centrepiece with concealed raffia and/or jewellery wire to keep the arrangement contained while retaining an artfully informal effect.

• Eclectic seating—including an antique garden bench, a mid-Century Modern wire chair, and vintage carved wooden dining chairs—adds to the eccentric mood of the setting, lending it character.
• Be playful with proportion, colour, and texture. Layered ceramic flatware, both matte and glazed, clear green glass vessels, and accents of gold result in a complementary contrast of materials and form as well as the reflection of light.

While gold has been introduced into the mix here, it is, for the most part, muted and therefore in keeping with the perfectly imperfect theme of nature balanced by texture and contrast.

• The ever-so-slightly faded glamour of these gold teacups has a charm that reflects their vintage provenance.

• Here, the teacups have been used instead of bowls to display fruit for eating.
• The colours of the fruits themselves—plums and figs—form part of the moody palette.

• Layered ceramic flatware is always a more visually interesting proposition at a table setting.
• An appealing balance of tactility exists between the matt and glazed plates.

• The gold finish of the teacup and saucer, used to display fruits, is echoed by the scattering of decorative gold stars and dragonfly confetti.

Aesthetes will appreciate the visual harmony of wrapped Christmas presents that connect with the greater decorative scheme.

• Keep it casual by propping cutlery into ceramic canisters or other robust vessels.
• Make bespoke wrapping paper to complement the theme of your Christmas decor. Find imagery you like from one of the many public domain museum or art gallery resources (we recommend the Rijksstudio library of the Rijksmuseum rijksmuseum.nl) and have artworks professionally printed onto large sheets of paper to use as gift wrap.

• Use simple post office tags rather than cards to denote names on gifts—old-school, cool, and cost-effective.
• Every last detail has been carefully considered. The ribbon decorating the gifts, for example, marries with other purple highlights such as the icing on a festive cake, plump figs and plums, as well as the distinctive mauve of thistle flowers.

Thanks to its utilitarian design and muted finish, the gold cutlery feels unpretentious and aesthetically at ease alongside the textured, handmade ceramics and weathered surface of the rustic dining table—though there is a fashionable edge to this high-low combination of elements.

• A playful touch has been introduced with star and dragonfly-shaped metallic confetti.
• For some additional shine, spray paint blue gum seed pods or other foraged objects in gold and intersperse amongst the leafy centrepiece.

• Thistles, also placed as part of the centrepiece, make for an unusual alternative to traditional blooms.
• Treat each guest to a small take-home gift—wrap these and mark individuals’ names on post office tags to serve as placeholders.

Rupert’s head-turning kitchen is a laboratory of creativity and a case study for the perfect balance of colour, texture, materials, functionality, and style.

• The central island is a repurposed, vintage sideboard that has been set on castors for functionality.
• A space such as this, with its abundance of natural light and double-volume proportions, can easily pull off a dark feature wall.
• Simple white tiles bounce the light and serve as a drawing board—quite literally—to write reminders, shopping lists, and, in this instance, the menu for today’s gathering.

• A floating shelf above the cooking zone provides storage space for kitchen essentials as well as plants and decorative objects.
• Further adding to the functionality of the space is a wall-mounted rail for pots and pans.
• A crystal chandelier imparts a visual surprise and touch of glamour into the industrial loft setting.
• A rug in the kitchen adds a chic, bohemian touch.

An out-of-the-ordinary cake with jewel-box shades seems like just desserts for this moody merry Christmas.

• A vanilla sponge has been covered with aubergine-tinted buttercream.

• Additional decorations include hand-painted macarons (buy cream or white macarons and paint them with gel food colouring) and grapes sprinkled with edible gold dust and finished with pomegranate seeds.

Sprigs of pepper tree branches have been shaped into an abstract wreath above the bed. It’s an impermanent living decoration in keeping with Rupert’s very natural Christmas theme downstairs.

• The solemn colour palette and simplicity of the furnishings have a pleasingly austere aesthetic, enhancing a sense of serenity.
• Though aesthetically pared-down, flourishes of luxury are found in the form of French linen bedding and a limited-edition scented votive candle.

Rupert Smith’s dark Christmas aesthetic invites us to embrace drama, elegance, and nature’s texture—proving the holidays can be deeply personal, beautifully unconventional, and rich with meaning beyond tradition.