Inside: The Ultimate Christmas Styling Event With Genevieve Harris At The Emory

High above Belgravia’s rooftops, The Wedding Edition gathered an intimate group for a winter-bright afternoon at The Emory Rooftop. The latest addition to Maybourne, The Emory is quietly spectacular, its glass architecture and sweeping views over Hyde Park offering a rare sense of stillness in the city. Guests arrived through the discreet Old Barrack Yard entrance before stepping into the rooftop’s light-filled space, where London stretched away in soft focus and the scent of Jo Loves Pomelo drifted through the air. Flutes of Louis Roederer Collection 246 caught the winter light, the table glowing with reflections of glass and candle flame. It was festive yet refined, a serene celebration before the season begins in earnest.

At the heart of the afternoon was Genevieve Harris, known to her devoted following as Mrs Trufflepig. A stylist, writer and creator with an eye for both the tactile and the timeless, Genevieve spoke about creating a Christmas rooted in nature’s rhythm. She began with the importance of foliage, showing how ivy, pine and holly can create structure that lasts throughout the holidays. From there she layered in the subtle beauty of dried hydrangeas, grasses and seed heads to bring softness and depth. Moving among the guests, she encouraged everyone to engage their senses, to touch and smell sprigs of rosemary and eucalyptus, to take pleasure in the imperfections that make something truly beautiful. Her philosophy is grounded in craft and care, reminding everyone that the most memorable tables are those that feel alive with texture and meaning.

The florals by Jake Kuit of Kuit Design brought Genevieve’s philosophy to life with breathtaking artistry. The tablescape was a love letter to the English hedgerow in winter, abundant with rosehips, holly, blackberries and wild foliage. Deep emerald greens met rich burgundy tones, softened by velvety berries in plum and crimson. Herb bundles rested beside each setting, their scent mingling with the Champagne, while slender branches and climbing ivy created a sense of movement. Jake’s style strikes the perfect balance between wild abundance and quiet refinement, and here the result felt effortless. Tiny robins and hedgehogs were tucked discreetly into the foliage, adding a playful nod to the British countryside.

Every layer of the table told its own story. Dress for Dinner tableware provided the perfect foundation with its understated elegance, while beautifully printed menus by Leeming Brothers added a tactile note of luxury. The physical menu design, created by Alex Hinton Design, echoed the natural palette of the flowers, tying the entire scene together in shades of cream, green and berry. Together, these details made the setting feel both deeply considered and beautifully cohesive.

Lunch was prepared by The Emory’s head chef for events, Shaun Watling, whose menu showcased the precision and artistry for which the hotel is already becoming known. The meal opened with a golden Dorset crab cake served with charred corn, pickled quail egg and a dill butter sauce. This was followed by wild seabass in a delicate shellfish sauce with coco bean ragout and caramelised cauliflower purée, before finishing with a white chocolate and lemon cake topped with coconut sorbet. Each course was paired with a different Champagne from Louis Roederer, chosen to highlight both flavour and texture: the minerality of Cristal 2016 with the crab, the structure of Brut Nature Rosé 2015 with the seabass, and the gentle sweetness of Carte Blanche Demi-Sec with dessert.

As daylight faded, the rooftop’s panoramic windows framed a skyline of gold and silver hues. Guests lingered over the final pour of Champagne, their conversation soft and easy. Each departed with a Jo Loves gift wrapped in herbs and velvet ribbon, a fragrant keepsake of an afternoon that captured the true spirit of the season. It was a moment of calm amid the rush of winter, where beauty and craftsmanship came together in perfect harmony.