I met Ana Angulo years ago in her magnificent women’s clothing store, which sold exclusive and elegant garments. Her personal taste always accompanies her when she develops an idea, and now life has led her to become the “Christmas fairy.”
She transforms tables and trees into authentic jewels, and her unique way of arranging decorations leaves adults and children alike spellbound by what I would call “artworks” at Christmas.
«I have been breathing fashion since I was 18. At 20, I was already running my own store, and since then my life has been a passionate journey through fabrics, trends, and beauty. Today, at 63, I am still doing what I love.
My other great passion—table setting—has always been with me. Creating atmospheres, awakening emotions, and transforming every occasion into an unforgettable memory is, for me, an art form. So much so that there are still people who remember a table I set more than 30 years ago.
That echo from the past was the impetus for me to start my Instagram account, where I have found a wonderful universe of followers who love my creations. And this year, that dream was crowned with the Diamond Award of the Season in a competition, a recognition that has made me immensely happy.
Today, I continue to create tables that shine, stories that move, and moments that live on forever. Because elegance, when it comes from the soul, never stops growing».
You started out in the fashion world, and even then you showed a very particular taste in choosing the collections you sold. Tell us about that time, which has now led you to apply that savoir faire to creating wonderful tables and decorative Christmas trees.
Actually, I’m still involved in fashion. For more than forty years, I’ve had my own brand that bears my name, Ana Angulo, where I design each of the collections, and that continues to be my driving force. I love it. But over time, I’ve realized that the same “eye” I trained dressing women has also transferred very naturally to how I conceive of a table.
In the end, for me, it’s all part of the same universe: a taste for harmony, for details, for textures, for creating emotion through what you see. I always say that what you wear to dinner is just as important as how you dress the table. Everything communicates. Everything builds the atmosphere.
And I think that’s the most beautiful connection: that after so many years of creating fashion, I’m still playing with beauty… only now I’m taking it to other settings. When I’m designing a table, choosing colors, heights, sparkles, pieces… I feel exactly the same as when I’m creating a collection. The process is almost the same: thinking about who is going to enjoy it, what feeling I want to evoke, how I can elevate the everyday.
Deep down, it has always been my calling: to beautify, care for, and dress. To dress women… and now, in a way, to dress their moments as well.
How did you come up with the idea of changing sectors?
Actually, I didn’t change sectors. My profession is still fashion, and always will be. That’s my world, my language, and where I’ve been creating for over forty years. But the world of tableware came about as a hobby that gradually became almost a parallel vocation.
I’ve always been very creative and fascinated by aesthetics in all its forms: compositions, colors, textures, attention to small details… And I believe that when you experience beauty as an essential part of your daily life, it’s inevitable that your gaze will expand to other areas. In my case, it was the table. I discovered that I could also express myself there, tell stories, create atmospheres, and convey emotions.
So rather than a change of sector, it has been a natural extension of what I have always been: someone who enjoys designing, caring for and creating harmony… whether in a collection or on a well-set table.
When it comes to trees, I am a true lover of Christmas and everything that goes with it. My family has always decorated the entire house, and I remember it with great fondness. I wanted to pass this tradition on to my children: at home, putting up the tree, decorating every corner, and turning on the lights is a BIG event. We also really enjoy setting up the nativity scene. It’s a moment we experience with absolute excitement… we love it at home.
How did you come up with the idea of decorating tables and trees? Did you know anyone in the industry?
At home, I’ve always dressed the tables for every occasion. It’s part of how we celebrate: creating a special atmosphere, taking care of every detail, and making sure my family enjoys not only the food but also everything around it. For me, it was completely natural.
But when I started sharing those tables on Instagram, my friends and clients began to write to me constantly: they asked about the glasses I used, the tablecloths, the tableware, the centerpieces… They were very impressed by the care I took, and I realized that what was everyday for me was a source of inspiration for other people.
And that’s when my daughter said to me, “Mom, you have to create an account dedicated solely and exclusively to this.” She was the one who pushed me to take the plunge. I didn’t know anyone in the industry, nor did I do it with the intention of pursuing it professionally. I simply followed my intuition and my desire to share something I am passionate about. And that’s how this second part of me was born, more aesthetic, more playful… but just as authentic.
What are the basic elements for perfectly decorating a table at Christmas?
For me, the key is to create a table that embraces, that conveys that warmth so characteristic of Christmas. I always try to ensure that the tones and colors are coordinated, that everything has a purpose and visual balance.
And something fundamental: adapting to the environment. It’s not the same to dress a table in a mountain house—where I might call for more natural textures, wood, warm candles, and rustic details—as it is in an urban apartment, where something more elegant, refined, or even minimalist is desired.
In the end, it’s like getting dressed: you don’t dress the same way to go to the opera as you do to stroll down Paseo de Gracia. The same goes for the table: the context dictates the style… and that’s where the magic lies.
Do you pay attention to market trends or do you follow your own inspiration?
I would say a little bit of both. I like to observe trends, see which colors, materials, or styles are coming on strong… but I always filter them through my own lens. Sometimes I take a trend and reinvent it to make it my own.
I also believe that there are tables that are absolutely classic and timeless, and my challenge there is to give them my touch, that detail that makes them special and elevates the composition so that they look as elegant as possible.
In the end, I get inspired, I observe, and I let myself go… but always staying true to myself.
I imagine you’ve visited the Christmas markets in countries like Germany and Austria, where they are true masters of Christmas decoration. What do you think they offer that we don’t have?
I’ve been to practically all the Christmas markets in France, Germany, Italy, England, and Switzerland. I love getting lost among the stalls, discovering every detail and breathing in that magical atmosphere. They are truly wonderful, each with its own charm.
But if I had to choose, for me the markets in Alsace are on another level. They are spectacular. They envelop you. They inspire you. They are one of those places that I recommend 100%, because Christmas is experienced there with a very special intensity.
I think the big difference lies in their customs and their deep Christmas spirit. They experience a fairytale Christmas, almost like something out of a movie, and you can feel it in every corner, every light, and every detail.
What advice would you give us for decorating our table beautifully this Christmas?
For me, the perfect Christmas table is based on three things: warmth, consistency, and intention. If I had to give some basic advice, it would be this:
1. Choose a color palette and stick to it.
There’s no need to overload it: just 2-3 well-chosen shades are enough to give the table a harmonious feel. Coordination is key.
2. Focus on textures.
Linen tablecloths, soft napkins, candles, cut glass… Mixing materials is what gives depth and that effortless “wow” effect.
3. Play with heights.
Combine tall candle holders with low candles, centerpieces, and a few statement pieces. This will create visual movement.
4. Warm lighting, always.
Lighting is half the ambiance. Candles, garlands…whatever you prefer, but always in warm tones to achieve that cozy Christmas atmosphere.
5. Don’t forget the personal TOUCH.
A sprig on each napkin, a name card, a small detail… something small that tells a story and dresses up the table.
6. Adapt to the surroundings.
A table in the mountains is not the same as one in the city. Let the house speak to you and let the decoration complement it, not impose on it.
And what about trees?
I love trees, especially when they are beautifully lit with warm lighting. For me, lighting is everything: if you don’t want to complicate things, a tree generously decorated with lights conveys peace, harmony, and a super cozy atmosphere.
Then there are the trends, and I think the ribbon trend is beautiful and very decorative. But as a true fan of this time of year, I admit that I like to overload the tree: baubles, garlands, sparkles… anything that adds magic and makes it shine.
This year I’ve chosen to do everything in silver, and I’m delighted with the result: elegant, bright, and very Christmassy.
Every Christmas, stores offer different materials and colors to decorate for the holidays. Do you think we should follow fashion trends or our own intuition?
I think there are two very distinct trends this year.
The first is bows, which are everywhere and add a romantic and very delicate touch to the tree.
The second is the Ralph Lauren trend, which consists of decorating the tree with tartan bows and more classic details, very much in the style of an English country house: elegant, warm, and with that traditional air that never goes out of style.
I think both trends are beautiful and super inspiring… but this year I felt like doing something different. I had a very clear idea of a table in silver tones, and I automatically imagined the tree matching that aesthetic. So I followed my intuition and did everything in silver, and I’m happy with the result.
For me, that’s the point: it’s okay to follow trends, but it’s also okay not to. Rules are there to be learned… and then broken when your heart tells you to do something different. In the end, Christmas is about emotion, creativity, and a lot of intuition.
And for the little ones in the house, what decorations would you choose?
This year has been especially nice because I helped my daughter put up her Christmas tree, and we knew it needed a complete overhaul: with an 18-month-old, any baubles would have ended up on the floor in a matter of seconds.
So we decided to create a tree that was totally suitable for her, without losing any of the magic. We filled it with warm lights, decorated it entirely with pink bows (with a larger one crowning the top), and added teddy bears, each with its own pink bow. A “pull-proof” fantasy, perfect for her to enjoy safely.
And best of all, it has a rotating base, so the tree spins around. My granddaughter is absolutely fascinated… and so are we.