Scandinavian Advent Calendar Day 13
Scandinavian design has captured global imagination over the past few decades. From the functional elegance of IKEA dinnerware to the masterpieces by renowned designers displayed in decorative arts museums worldwide, the message has spread: the Nordic countries possess a distinctive aesthetic worth discovering and celebrating. Today, as we consider how to dress our Christmas tables, I’m bringing you to the flagship store of one of the world’s most celebrated porcelain manufacturers: Royal Copenhagen.
Founded in 1775 under the patronage of Danish Dowager Queen Juliane Marie, Royal Copenhagen has brilliantly synthesized French porcelain technique with Chinese blue-and-white inspiration to create something uniquely and unmistakably Scandinavian. Awards from international exhibitions and continuous royal endorsement have contributed to the company’s enduring success and prestige. Two major patterns have become their absolute trademark, instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with fine porcelain.
Blue Fluted Plain came to life in 1775 as Royal Copenhagen’s very first pattern—their founding design, if you will. Still today, nearly 250 years later, this classic blue floral motif is produced exactly as it was centuries ago. Each piece of porcelain is treated as an individual work of art, carefully painted by hand with cobalt blue underglaze. The pattern features stylized florals and geometric borders that nod to Chinese porcelain traditions while maintaining a distinctly European sensibility. Its enduring popularity speaks to the timelessness of good design—what worked in 1775 still works beautifully on a modern table.
In 1790, Royal Copenhagen received a royal commission to produce a “Flora Danica” dinner service, with gilded edges and botanical motifs meticulously copied from the ongoing illustrated Flora Danica—a comprehensive atlas of Danish botany that remains one of the most ambitious botanical projects ever undertaken. The dinner service was intended as a diplomatic gift for Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, though it was never actually delivered due to her death before its completion. Royal Copenhagen continues producing hand-painted Flora Danica pieces to this day, with recent additions honoring the indigenous flora of Greenland. Each piece requires extraordinary skill: the botanical accuracy, the delicate gilding, the painting so precise it looks almost printed but reveals itself as handwork upon close inspection.
For the festive season, the highlight of Royal Copenhagen’s flagship store in Copenhagen is a spectacular exhibition on the upper floors: designer Christmas tables where Danish artists and stylists unleash their imagination in a feast for the eyes. Each table represents a different aesthetic approach to holiday entertaining—some traditional and elegant, others contemporary and playful, still others minimalist in the distinctly Scandinavian way that makes simplicity look effortless. You see how the classic patterns can be styled in entirely modern ways, how tradition and innovation coexist beautifully, how the same porcelain can set the tone for a formal dinner or a relaxed family gathering depending on what you pair it with.
Walking through these displays, you understand that setting a table is an act of creativity and care. It’s not about expense or perfection but about intention—creating a space that says “you are welcome here, you are valued, this moment matters.” The Danes understand this instinctively, which is perhaps why their design philosophy has resonated so broadly. It’s democratic beauty: refined without being pretentious, beautiful without being precious, special without being inaccessible.
I hope you’ve gathered some inspiration for your festive tables this year. Whether you’re planning a formal family dinner, an intimate brunch, or simply an afternoon tea for one (which can be just as ceremonial and lovely), I hope you’ll make your holiday tables sparkle with imagination. Use what you have, add small thoughtful touches, light candles, consider the details. The investment of attention transforms an ordinary meal into a celebration.
Until tomorrow, dear friends—dream on, and let beauty be part of your daily life, not reserved only for hypothetical special occasions.
ROYAL COPENHAGEN HIGHLIGHTS:
Blue Fluted Plain (1775):
- Royal Copenhagen’s first and most iconic pattern
- Hand-painted cobalt blue underglaze
- Combines Chinese porcelain inspiration with European design
- Still in production using original 18th-century techniques
- Available in full dinnerware sets and individual pieces
Flora Danica (1790-present):
- Commissioned by Danish King Christian VII
- Features hand-painted botanical specimens from Flora Danica atlas
- Each piece individually painted and gilded
- Among the world’s most expensive porcelain patterns
- Recent additions include Greenlandic flora
- Production requires extraordinary skill and time
Christmas Collections:
- Annual Christmas plates (since 1908)
- Collectible series depicting Danish winter scenes
- Limited edition pieces
- Modern designers create contemporary interpretations
VISITING ROYAL COPENHAGEN FLAGSHIP STORE:
Location: Amagertorv 6, Copenhagen, Denmark
What to see:
- Historic patterns and new collections
- Designer Christmas table exhibitions (November-December)
- Museum section with historic pieces
- Opportunity to see painting demonstrations
- Beautiful setting in historic building on Strøget
Tips:
- Allow 1-2 hours to explore properly
- Photography usually permitted
- Staff are knowledgeable about pattern history
- Shipping available for international purchases
- Visit in December for full Christmas table displays
SCANDINAVIAN TABLE SETTING PRINCIPLES:
- Quality over quantity: Few beautiful pieces rather than cluttered abundance
- Natural elements: Greenery, wood, stone, linen
- Candlelight essential: Creates hygge atmosphere
- Mix high and low: Fine porcelain with simple glassware
- Understated elegance: Sophistication without ostentation
- Functionality: Beauty that serves a purpose
CREATING YOUR OWN NORDIC CHRISTMAS TABLE:
- Start with white or neutral linens
- Add natural greenery as table runner or small arrangements
- Include multiple candles (white or natural beeswax)
- Mix porcelain patterns if you don’t have a complete set
- Use wooden serving pieces or cutting boards
- Keep centerpieces low for conversation
- Consider individual place cards or small gifts
- Natural napkin rings (twine with greenery, cinnamon sticks)
Written by Alexandra Poppy
Writer, reader & curator of The Ritual of Reading
I’m Alexandra, the voice behind The Ritual of Reading. Somewhere between a stack of novels and a half-finished pot of tea, I keep finding traces of the life I want to live—slower, richer, filled with stories. The Ritual of Reading is where I gather what I love: books that linger, places with a past, and rituals that make ordinary days feel a little more meaningful. I write from Paris, where elegant bookshops and old-fashioned cafés offer endless inspiration—and I share it here, hoping it brings a spark to your own days, too.
