Table master: Christie's partners with Fiona Leahy for Interiors sale

"When Christie's asked me to visit their storage facility one evening it was like a dream come true," says Fiona Leahy, London's undisputed queen of the art of fabulous table dressing. "It was amazing! There was literally nobody else around, kind of like the antiques version of Mannequin. I could have dressed 10 tablescapes."

Sadly, Leahy only got to dress one, but it's quite a masterpiece. Tapered candles light a pair of regal Victoria brass-mounted glass candelabras, while an abundance of flowers grace two Baccarat gilt-metal mounted cut-glass vases. This prime booty, ransacked from the Park Royal warehouse, is compiled from Leahy's favourite lots chosen from the upcoming Interiors auction on 28 November. The spoils also include a refined selection of tableware -  St. Louis thistle pattern etched dinner service, dessert plates by Royal Worcester and a Victoria hard-stone and silver dessert service. 

Leahy's table will be on display at Christie's King Street headquarters throughout the sale. The former fashion-stylist-turned-creative-director will also stage a festive table-dressing demonstration on the 27 November, as part of the auction house's LATES series of evening events. Expect to pick up tips on how to orchestrate that opulent look which has made Leahy the go-to party creator for everyone, from Dita von Teese and Middle Eastern royalty to luxury fashion and lifestyle brands such as Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Emilia Wickstead. 

So what is the key to creating memorable mise en scène? "Lighting is everything, more than flowers or anything else," she advises. "Tapered candles are my favourite for creating that sense of warmth and intimacy. I recently did an event in Venetian palace where they weren't allowed, but instead we substituted with little table lamps and also hurricane lamps with water and floating candles floating inside."

Personalisation is another way to make guests feel special, with inventive place cards being a signature Leahy flourish. "Coming together is about being seen and a visual manifestation of your name is such a nice touch. It doesn’t even need to be crazy or expensive -  for Christmas I do snow globes with names handwritten inside using a calligraphy marker," she says.

Hospitality runs in Leahy's blood. She spent a childhood laying tables in her parents' small hotel in Cashel, Tipperary where her father was also a chef. Her grandmother ran a B&B and her mother still runs one now. Obsessed with fashion she ditched studying Greek and Roman Civilisation at Galway university after just one week and escaped to New York, where she waitressed until her career kicked off assisting legendary fashion stylist Patti Wilson. Show production followed and she returned to London in the early 1990s.

Although not formally trained Leahy is a self-confessed "OCD creative" and has always picked up new skills along the way. This hasn't just proved practically useful (handstitching napkins on the way to Palais Liechtenstein in Vienna last week, for example), but also opened doors."I was doing an evening class in embroidery, when a friend said I ought to meet Jade Jagger. I ended up working for her and that eventually led to an assistant creative director position at Garrard."

Hiring burlesque star Dita Von Teese to perform at an event led to her big break. The pair became friends and Leahy was asked to play wedding planner for Von Teese and Marilyn Manson's 2005 marriage at Gurteen Castle in Ireland. "That was really the tipping point. I designed lace panels, Waterford Crystal and included as many Irish things as possible. I absolutely loved it," she recalls.

She's spent the past 13 years since flying all over the world staging glamorous events (check her Instagram account @fionaleahydesign for inspiration) and clearly still loves it. "What I do is like an amazing form of creative expression, but you can also experience it, it's sensory and spreads joy."  

Viewing times for Christie's Interiors sale are at 8 King St, St. James's, London SW1 on 26 November, 12pm-5pm, 27 November 9am-4.30pm. Fiona hosts tips for holiday entertaining on 27 November 6.30pm-9pm; christies.com