Get a fresh look for the holidays
Get a fresh look for the holidays by combining the trendy and traditional
There’s more to the holiday decorating than silver and gold, red and green. With a little tweaking here and adjustment there, you can update your seasonal look just in time for all those family photos and Instagram moments.
Christmas 2017 appears to be shaping up as a hodgepodge of old and new, time-tested and bold. So what’s new? Many designers are embracing the Scandinavian idea of hygge (pronounced “whoguh”). Think warm, snuggly and laid back.
“This season, Bed Bath & Beyond has embraced the hygge lifestyle trend of relaxed, casual and cozy living. It is really an update on ‘old-fashioned’ designs with a focus on surrounding yourself with soft, cozy and beautifully crafted items that can transform your home into a relaxed place to enjoy life with your loved ones,” said Barbara Weston, director of Global Trends.
That look can be found in garment-washed linens, velvets and faux furs layered with plaids, stripes and chunky textures that together all add the sense of a cozy nest to any room. Bed Bath & Beyond signature brands such as Wamsutta Vintage, UGG, Kenneth Cole New York and ED Ellen DeGeneres are including these characteristics in bedding, decor, pillows and throws. Its exclusive brands, Artisanal Kitchen Supply and Olivia & Oliver, also offer organic dishes, mugs and flatware to mix and match creating a lovely and inviting holiday tablescape.
“So, put the kettle on, pull out a classic family recipe and make it, light a candle or make a fire and spend some slow time on the sofa with a plushy throw,” Weston said.
The down-home look and feel can be achieved with many of the offerings from Pier 1 Imports. “One of our top holiday trends this season is the ‘all-spruced up’ trend. It’s almost like a version of farmhouse with vintage cars and trucks. The whole vintage and farmhouse trend is happening throughout the country. Across decor in general, we see the customer is drawn to the rustic,” said Katelyn Carroll, media relations specialist for Pier 1 Imports.
Another trending motif, especially here in Southern California where winter temperatures comfortably stay in the 70s, is a”snowday” style withfaux fur, woodland
animals and twinkling lights, mostly in white, and sparkling items, she said.
This year the tones are softer, even looking a bit faded or vintage instead of bright and flashy. Weston said. Blush pinks and pale icy greens also have joined the merry mix. And winter whites and silvers, lighter grays and more natural wood hues are everywhere. “We are also seeing a mix of tones like black, deep green, white and gold, especially when used in an elegant yet relaxed table setting such as our Kate Spade New York tableware.”
The trends can apply throughout the house, so think beyond the tree. Decorating the mantel is a great place to showcase your stockings, candles and candleholders. Hang wreaths and garlands, too, or tie them into your tablescape. Illumination is an important decorating tool and anything lighted is a big deal this year, Carroll said. Consider light-up products, such as pillows, stockings, doormats and table runners.
And for the adventurous, spruce up the colors of your home’s walls. The most important step is to design your color theme. For each room, choose complementary tones that let the wall color shine. Keeping it natural works with just about every color.
WOW 1 Day Painting has even come up with an eight color scheme campaign. “Even if homeowners have freshly painted their walls a nonseasonal shade of yellow or bright blue, we wanted to inspire them and provide suggestions that will help them fill up their homes with holiday cheer,” said Adam Rendle, owner/operator of WOW 1 Day Painting in the Inland Empire. “We suggest selecting a color palette and then choosing pieces that match your theme. You can add excitement by mixing up different textures, shapes and sizes. Add ornaments, trinkets, wall hangings and whatever sentimental items you want others to see. You can change up your throw pillows and flower arrangements to match your seasonal style, too.”
The take earlier this year from Christmas world in Frankfurt, Germany, was that a little less would be a lot more for the holidays in 2017.
The annual event that presents the latest in products and trends for festivitiestouted these trends: color palettes of warm copper, rich gold, snow white and even and relaxing shades of blue; the creation of a calm yet festive atmosphere; echoes of the past with the appearance of hand-blown baubles and traditional motifs; and the hope of establishing a sense of safety and security. “Vintage is a key trend for 2017 — and not only at Christmastime. So, too, are casually found objects and holiday souvenirs; and humorous figures from the world of comics and fairytales make for brighter moments. Alongside these, products made from natural materials and the gentle light of candles remain popular,” according to a festival press release.