With the holiday season hurtling towards us at a rapid speed, it’s that time of year again when we start to prepare for the perfect Christmas. With so much to think about in the run up to Christmas, festive decorations don’t always take immediate priority. A lot of us slip into the habit of using the same old tired decorations year after year, citing ‘tradition’ when really we’re just too tired from doing everything else; but why not go that extra mile this year? Our environments have a huge impact on how we feel, and a festive interior can really enhance a festive spirit. Whether you prefer traditional or contemporary festive décor, or a fusion of both; adorning your home with the perfect festive style is both easily to do and great fun for any design junkie.
Traditional all the way!
The ‘traditional style’ is a safe, tried and tested way to go. A real tree, seasonal foliage, candle bridges, nativity scenes, reds, gold and greens. All the stuff you grew up with. Going the traditional route means you can still introduce those little personal homely touches (such as home made Christmas decorations) without being too restricted by a distinct style.
A Very Chicmas
In complete contrast; if your home is decorated in a sophisticated, sleek and contemporary style, it only makes sense that your festive decorations work in harmony. More and more companies are catering for those after something a little more high fashion for Christmas, yet the style isn’t necessarily as expensive to obtain as you might think – and it’s never been so sought after. With plenty of online deals out there, you just need to get inspired and shop around. Black Christmas trees have become quite popular in recent times, as have ‘upside down trees’, both being strikingly modern takes on the classic, whilst a contemporary sculptural metal or wooden Christmas tree becomes as much a piece of art, as it does a festive focal point in your living room. More simplified colour palettes, such as black and silver, or just pure white, will ooze glamour and fabulosity.
Festive Fusions
Like many interior designers so often do, fusing the old with the new always works a charm. You can still embrace traditional Christmas décor whilst introducing a modern, stylish and unique twist to it. Perhaps the simplest way to achieve this is by keeping the basics traditional, but using a modern colour scheme that compliments your home. For example instead of the traditional red, green and gold, why not go plum, copper and bronze? Or perhaps turquoise, white and silver? This is a very easy way to achieve something different, without straying too far from the comfort of tradition – which is what Christmas is all about. Style injections of glamour, vintage shabby chic, and quirky woodland charm all work well next to the traditional Christmas aesthetic.
A few festive tips:
- Rearranging Furniture: If you’re entertaining over Christmas consider rearranging your furniture to maximize comfort and practicality for your guests. Give people enough space to stand and mingle, and enough comfortable seating to sit down and talk.
- Get it cosy: There’s no better excuse than the festive season to make your home indulgently comfortable, cosy and snuggly. Adding things like faux fur throws, sumptuous cushion cases and a lovely soft rug are all things that can subtly transform your living room into a beautiful, cosy, festive retreat - and if you shop smart it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Buying things that work alongside your festive décor and colour scheme will help unify the overall style of the room that much more, tying all those little touches together.
- Lighting: Warm mood lighting is perfect for those decadent Christmas evenings and can be achieved in many ways alongside your existing lighting. Lanterns and candles are great for this, and look fantastic flickering around the fireplace. Choosing candles with festive scents can help ensure that your festive spirit burns bright well into the evening. When it comes to your Christmas tree, always go for clear fairy lights as opposed to multi-coloured ones. As pretty as multi-coloured lights are, they dilute any carefully chosen colour scheme as soon as they’re turned on.
- Table Wear & Table Decorations: Since the Christmas dinner table is the most important table you’ll lay all year, it’s only right that you go to town on it. It goes without saying that napkins, crackers, and table dressings should all compliment the rest of your scheme - and don’t be afraid to go a little opulent. If your style is more contemporary, go glamorous where you’d usually go festive. For example, a traditional foliage centre piece can be replaced with a chic silver candle holder with a scattering of glass crystals around it to catch the light. Think Christmas dinner at Anna Wintour’s house. Another nice touch is personalized Christmas cracker gifts. Empty crackers are easy to come by and you can treat your guests to personal gifts they’d actually appreciate, instead of the normal tacky gifts that are often included in pre-filled crackers. A more contemporary alternative would be little personalized gifts placed in small boxes, much like wedding favours.
- If it doesn’t exist, make it: If you’re struggling to find that perfect centre piece for your table or you haven’t found the right wreath – then make them! If you have kids, get them to give you a hand. Activities such as this are rewarding and get everyone into the holiday spirit.
Make it AMAZING!,
Rhonda
* Special Contributor, Evelyn Burke
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