TURN BACK TIME ON CHRISTMAS DECORATING
Nostalgic touches will be welcome this holiday season
Every year, holiday trends arrive in many styles. Modern looks often incorporate the current hot hue, while traditional red and gold appeal to those who love a classic look. This year, the trend isn't about a particular colourway, but a feeling.
The look of nostalgic Christmas is everywhere, evoking childhood memories of the good old days (certainly welcome after this tumultuous year of uncertainty). Many of you might already have keepsake holiday ornaments in your Christmas storage boxes, so you'll be right on trend without spending any money. Now that's a holiday treat!
For everyone else, here are some easy and inexpensive ways to capture a nostalgic look by either using decor items you already have or by making a few new purchases to help get the look.
I love the look of an informal table for Christmas feasts. When shopping in charity shops, I look for coloured transferware dishes (especially in green or red) to build my collection of holiday dishes. My collection is still quite small, so I fill in the gaps with simple, white catering-style plates and bowls. This year, green, white and pewter will give my table a subtle, festive look.
I'll add some fresh greens, pine cones, white table linens and my holiday table will be served up with simple, nostalgic style.
Looking for a tree that adds vintage flair to your holiday decorating? Consider flocking to add a mid-century fantasy look to the tree. Flocking is a spray/snow in matte white or glitter that is increasingly used on artificial trees to give them the look of a wintry wonderland. Tip: Keep decorations minimal to help show off the flocked finish to get an authentic 1950s look.
There are a host of beautiful vintage-looking tree skirts in stores that will give the base of the tree an on-trend look.
Tip: I like using large fauxfur throws for a luxe look. Got some of Granny's old fur coats? Vintage wool blankets or quilts? Give them a second life and lay under the tree to offer up a nod from the past.
Do you have a collection of a certain ornament? Here are some ideas for displaying them.
■ Have you collected far too many mini elves? Add them into a simple fresh wreath adorned with red ribbons and ornaments for a fun holiday greeting on the door that welcomes those dropping off packages or stopping by to visit.
■ If you have a limited supply of fragile inherited glass ornaments, try displaying them in a clear hurricane vase; it will keep little hands away and allow for easy viewing. It's a simple but stunning centrepiece on your coffee table or on a console in your entryway.
■ If, like me, you have many bits and bobs of ceramic holiday village pieces, giving them a coat of matte black chalk paint will contemporize them. Arrange them on a tray and scatter small glass tea lights among them for a sophisticated Christmas village. Do you have a decor dilemma or want to give feedback?
You can contact Karl Lohnes on Instagram at Karl Lohnes.
Karl Lohnes has worked as a home decor expert and product designer for 25 years and is the Editor At Large at Style At Home.