Danube home expert
Your decorating and DIY questions solved by the interiors specialist
Q We are looking forward to getting our home ready for Christmas. How can we create a festive atmosphere without buying new furniture or redoing our walls?
A I won’t give you advice on how to do up your Christmas tree – every family has its own tradition – but I will give you doable ideas on how to make your home festive chic. You won’t get a white Christmas here, but you can create a home that’s truly welcoming and full of joy. Some additions will cost money, while others will require only your time. Here are some ideas to give you a very Merry Christmas.
Make an entrance
Start by creating drama at your main entrance. If you live in a rented apartment or villa, check if your lease allows you to paint your front door. If it does, paint it a rich post box red for instant impact. Don’t worry if you can’t, simply fill up tall, clear jars with inexpensive silver and gold ornaments and place them on either side of your door. Hang fresh or artificial festive wreaths on the door. Finally, buy yourself a new bright doormat to welcome guests.
Red (and green) alert
We all know that red and green are the traditional Christmas colours. But too much of those can overwhelm a room. It’s better to add red and green accents – think along the lines of red floor cushions, moss green vases, red photo frames, bowls filled with festive potpourri, sofa cushions with red and green polka dots and small patterned rugs with touches of red and green.
Add accents of gold and silver to create a sparkle. Drape gold and/or silver tinsel on frames or floor lamp pedestals for a quick and inexpensive festive decor update.
Light moments
Christmas is all about lighting. Festoon your balconies with twinkling lights. If you have children, buy lights that play Jingle Bells (but that you can switch off when you’ve had enough!).
Better still, splash out on a chandelier – the traditional or the waterfall design will bring in a spectacular festive element. Light up a dark corner with a floor lamp. Or go all out and hang a disco ball from the ceiling. Drape long ribbons on it for that extra festive wow factor.
If you love candles, now is the time to stock up. Tea lights are fabulous, as they fit into all kinds of lanterns and candle holders and are a minimal cost for maximum impact.
Make sure you have plenty of white and coloured tapers, plus pillar candles in different sizes. Group them together and light them all for a golden glow.
Stay natural
There are many ways to bring nature indoors, such as filling up old lanterns and jars with colourful, fragrant potpourri and placing them around the room. Take a glass bowl or silver dish and pile it high with mandarins and lemons for a fresh and colourful table centrepiece. Fill a vase with dried twigs and peacock feathers for a dramatic statement.
Take a bow
As this is the season of giving, take gift-wrapping to the next level and make it a part of your decor. Buy a coffee table and turn it into a giant present by crisscrossing a broad satin ribbon over the tops and sides then finish off with a giant bow. You can also tie giant bows around your chairs, the way posh hotels do for banquets.