VINTAGE STYLE

“I’M definitely a vintage, old school girl at heart,” laughs Wendy Crawford. Her family once owned an antique shop on Nassau Street and now she owns and runs Scout, a lifestyle store in Dublin’s Temple Bar that boasts a tightly curated edit of hip Irish and international labels. It’s the perfect place to go to for stylish classics, such as a timeless Breton top or a pair of beautifully crafted leather brogues – so it’s no surprise that her own home has a similarly ageless feel.

The three-bed Victorian redbrick in Kilmainham is decorated with an eclectic collection of accessories and vintage pieces, and painted in dark hues that come into their own in winter. “I find the dark tones of my house lend themselves to Christmas really well,” says Wendy.

“The dark walls create a cosy and festive atmosphere and everything sits beside the darkness easily without jarring.”

Wendy’s Christmas decorating style is simple yet elegant, with lots of natural foliage and a smattering of toys as decorations. “Since having Henry, my son, I try to remember that it’s his house too so I like to add in soft toys or playful decorations that he’ll enjoy and remember in years to come,” she says.

If you’re playing with a moodier palette this winter, Wendy recommends bringing in natural elements to contrast against dark hues. “Foliage and berries work great,” she says. “Utilise the garden at this time of year. Growing up, my mum had a fantastic garden full of holly and foliage that was always used in arrangements and in decorating the house – less plastic stuff that’s bad for the environment and more beautiful, natural things!” scoutdublin.com @scoutessexstreetwest