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The Perfectly Imperfect Festive Table
The holidays are, without question, the highlight of the year for every table lover. If love truly goes through the stomach, then there is no better way to express affection for family and friends than with a beautifully dressed dining table. The secret lies in the delicate balance between neatness and nonchalance, between perfection and imperfection. To explore this art, we visit designer Marie Michielssen, Serax’s long-time creative force and the undisputed queen of design with a charming edge.
Marie has been the beating heart of Serax’s design portfolio for many years. Her work is defined by the search for harmony within contrast — between minimalism and abundance, emotions and ratio, introspection and expression, function and art. Always with an eye for craftsmanship and the honesty of earthy materials. In her sixteenth-century home, those same principles come to life: old and new coexist, enhancing one another. Some rooms are brimming with objects and stories, while others leave space for silence.
Family first
During the holidays, everything revolves around family. “All of our children come home—Jules, the youngest, still lives here, but the others always look forward to this time of reunion. It’s a moment we all cherish deeply, a celebration not just of the holiday itself, but of family and togetherness.” Christmas at the Michielssen household follows a cherished rhythm. “For years now, we’ve kept to a beloved ritual: Christmas Eve with my family in the house, Christmas Day with Axel’s (Van Den Bossche, husband and founder of Serax). It’s a tradition that everyone treasures, and because it’s so firmly woven into our holiday routine, we almost always manage to gather the entire family around the table.”
Ribbons, Please
Decorations play an essential role during the festive season, with the traditional Christmas tree always taking center stage. “I remember once buying a tree that was far too small, and before I knew it, the children had secretly replaced it with a much bigger one. Since then, the tree has been the heart of our celebrations. I decorate it with ornaments—some more than twenty years old—each carrying its own memory.” But the magic doesn’t end there. The entire house dresses up for the season: red ribbons tied around door handles, small festive details appearing in every corner, creating a gentle thread of joy that runs from room to room.
A Christmas Tree You Can Eat
At Marie’s home, everything becomes part of the decoration—sometimes quite literally. A Christmas tree made of Brussels sprouts, a stack of gifts shaped like a pine: playfulness meets design.
“Everywhere you look, there’s a touch of Christmas spirit woven into the home. The dinner table is always richly adorned with baubles and ornaments. It’s never exactly the same from year to year, but I usually go for warm, comforting tones.”
Contemporary Nostalgic
“I love combining my grandmother’s silver candlesticks with those from Serax—a mix that feels both nostalgic and contemporary,” Marie says. “They sit beautifully alongside cotton napkins tied with ribbons for a festive touch.” This year, she’s setting the table with Sergio Herman’s new white tableware called Silhouette: timeless, classic, yet with a subtle modern twist. “It’s perfect for the season. I also love playing with glassware—creating a small drink bar where different styles of glasses come together, from playful to refined.”
Old and New, Hand in Hand
Marie has always been drawn to the dialogue between old and new.
“They amplify one another. Contemporary design gains life in an older setting, while historical pieces feel renewed by the presence of the modern. Objects gain strength through contrast.” Her home embodies that philosophy—preserving the spirit of the past while embracing the vibrancy of the present. “It’s not about living in history,” she explains, “but about letting history and modernity coexist beautifully.”
A Dozen Vases
A devoted lover of plants, Marie has an undeniable soft spot for vases—especially during the festive season. “For the table, I’ve used my own Les Femmes vases. Filled with greenery, they resemble little angels scattered across the setting, adding a quiet touch of magic. I like to decorate with vases that have a timeless allure. By adding new ones from time to time, the house takes on a fresh and ever-changing character.”
Grandmother Joins In
What truly completes a home—or a festive table—are the personal touches of its host. During the holidays, Marie brings out her most treasured heirlooms. “There are a few objects that carry deep meaning for me. One is a silver cloche I inherited from my grandmother, a beautifully old-fashioned piece for keeping food warm. Another is her cutlery case, which I often pair with modern Serax tableware—again, old and new in conversation. Her silver candlesticks also make their yearly appearance, alongside my own Serax designs. These are more than just objects—they are memories, traditions, inspirations.”
A Touch of Leather
Finally, when asked what’s on her Christmas wish list, Marie smiles. “This year, I have something quite specific in mind: a pair of long leather gloves, the kind that reach three-quarters up the arm. But truthfully, what I enjoy most is giving. The candlesticks by Wouters & Hendrix, for instance, or the Molly vases—both are gifts I would love to offer my daughters-in-law. Small gestures, perhaps, but for me, these thoughtful presents carry the deepest meaning.”
