O CHRISTMAS TREE

What’s on-trend in the ornament aisles this season,

Plaid

It isn’t just for hipsters anymore, as plaid and its cousin, the buffalo check, are seen on ribbons, bows, garland and ornaments.

“Plaid is superpopular and relevant in fashion, and now it’s becoming so in decor,” says Kate Davidson, principal of GTA-based Kate Davidson Design Inc.

Make tartan your Christmas theme by carrying it over to the holiday dinner table with plaid linens, Davidson adds. Complete the look with rustic decorations, such as birch bark, pine cones and branches.

Mixing metals

At Christmasworld, the annual trade show for holiday goods-makers that took place in Frankfurt in January, copper was a top trend for 2015.

“Everyone always loves a classic silver and gold, but bringing in things such as copper can be really pretty and it’s also a little bit more modern,” Davidson says.

The combination of a structured, architectural-look with a wire ornament gives “a bit of a hard-edged look,” she says.

Black

Black is a classic colour for fashion and decor, but perhaps not the first choice that comes to mind when decorating a Christmas tree.

Black was big at Christmasworld and is “a trend that’s coming back right now,” Davidson says.

Consider pairing black with another colour, such as gold, red or blue, she says, or be bold with an all-black theme. Incorporating patterns will complete this sophisticated look, says Davidson. Texture Soft, touchable textures are everywhere for holiday 2015. Fur, velvet and feathers all make for a “wintery-chic feel,” Davidson says.

Textured ornaments, ribbons or garlands are particularly on-trend when paired with a “whitewashed look,” she says. Keeping the decorations in white or grey will create a natural feel, especially when paired with wood-textured decor, such as branches or antlers. Monochromatic If you’re looking for a trendy-but-traditional look to hang on to for a few years, a monochromatic colour scheme is the way to go. Rather than all-black, though, try all-white, silver, or gold for a classic look, Davidson says.

Starting with a single colour will make it easy to mix and match as the mood strikes each season by adding a pop of bright colour, some texture, or even playing with ornament sizes.

CANVAS Canvas 80-mm wave glass ball ornament, $4.49. At Canadian Tire or CanadianTire.ca.

WEST ELM Feathered ornament, $14.31. In store at West Elm or westelm.com.

CRATE AND BARREL Metallic glitter pinecones, $5.95 each. In store at Crate and Barrel or crateandbarrel.com.

REED DAVIS DANIEL HEBERT Red buffalo-check ornament, $5 to $7. At Pottery Barn or potterybarn.com.

WEST ELM In the Snow decorating kit, $88. In store at West Elm or westelm.com.