Deck the halls
From bright colours to minimalist chic, it’s time to get your home ready for the festive period
Trick or treaters have been and gone and Bonfire Night has gone up in smoke. It can only mean one thing: Christmas is coming.
And as December 25 creeps ever closer, so too does the temptation to head into the attic and retrieve all your Christmas decorations to create your very own winter wonderland.
As an interior designer, I am always asked for tips for stylish Christmas décor and quite honestly, there are no hard and fast rules. After all, the festive period is deeply personal for most people, with Christmas decorations curated over many years.
However, Christmas 2018 has brought with it some fabulous trends. And whether you are looking to start afresh, or simply want to add one or two new pieces to your own collection, here are my guidelines for festive chic.
OVER THE RAINBOW
This summer it was hard to avoid all things unicorn and rainbowinspired. From birthday cakes and T-shirts to lamps and jewellery, colourful creations were everywhere.
So it’s no surprise, then, that the trend leading the way this Christmas is rainbow-inspired.
And fortunately, it’s a look that is very easy to achieve.
Simply divide your baubles by colour; then, using the colour you have least of, start hanging the baubles from the top of the tree. Work your way around the tree changing hues as you go.
You can also create your own handmade decorations to complement your rainbow tree. Something as simple as a paperchain made using bright coloured pieces of paper can be hugely effective, or if you want something slightly more minimalist, buy a collection of small baubles and use them to fill a clear vase.
Like the tree décor, simply organise by colour and stack them on top of each other.
PASSION FOR PERSONALISED
Personalised presents are big news this Christmas; from tins of chocolate to family portraits, Santa’s elves have magic-ed up bespoke gifts for everyone.
And it’s a trend that has trickled into Christmas décor too.
In fact, this Yuletide no Christmas tree would be complete without a personalised bauble for each family member, and even the family pet.
If you want something more significant you can find baubles to commemorate baby’s first Christmas, Personalised presents are going to be huge this Christmas. These from The Handmade Christmas Co double as a great decoration and beautiful gift, available from handmadechristmasco.com your first Christmas as a married couple and even ones containing a replica of your front door.
There are also beautiful baubles to celebrate the life of a loved one no longer with us.
MUTED BEAUTY
Sometimes, just sometimes, simplicity is best. Even at Christmas.
And one of the hottest looks of the festive season is the minimalist tree.
And I mean, minimalist. Simply wrap a set of warm white fairy lights from top to bottom and voila.
It’s a look that works best on a real tree, allowing its natural beauty to take centre stage.
If a simple set of fairy lights is too bare for your taste, add some small white baubles. But don’t go overboard, remember simplicity is key.
As for the rest of your home, consider a simple garland around the staircase, again with fairy lights intertwined, and some small white baubles hung from the mantlepiece.
Where space is at a premium, consider a small potted tree. Here less is most definitely more, and some simple fairy lights will be hugely effective.
■ Lesley Taylor is the author of 10 interior design books and has appeared on a range of network TV shows, including This Morning, giving inspirational advice on home styling. For more information on her work, head to lesleytaylor.co.uk