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AVOID CHRISTMAS CLICHES
Manish Mishra
It’s hard not to be a tired cliché during Christmas. Everywhere you go, the same decorations — fairy lights, the overwhelming hues of green and red — can be found. If you want to live it up with elegance, minimalism always works. Prateek Jain, creative designer, Klove, says, “If you keep the decorations in a
Preserve some traditions like ‘deck the halls’ only with buntings instead of traditional Holly leaves. Try dori hand embroidery and quirky motifs. If you’re planning to use eclectic, quirky cushion covers, the theme is continued with these buntings. Lighting is always an important component of décor, and some abstract tea light holders and candle stands for the living room or nice hurricane lamps and lanterns for the outdoor area will give your home a warm, welcoming ambience. Don’t neglect your outdoor spaces and pep up the single colour — for example, in all white or all gold — it adds a layer of sophistication. Instead of using the common fairy lights, you could add different forms of light bulbs, playing with geometric shapes. These small changes will make your decorations stand out from everyone else. You can also mix different sizes of decorations and lights, hanging or placing them at different heights.”
There are a lot of contemporary and interesting ways to do up your home for Christmas. Start with your living area and give it an update with some quirky cushions that add colour and visual interest, as well as a spot of whimsy that’s in tune with the festival. Rashmi Shukla from Jaypore says, “If quirky is not your thing, take up cutwork cushions or embroidered ones in silk or cotton. Spiff up the bedroom with some colourful blossom prints with Kantha. Punctuate your spaces with scented candles as they’re a great
terrace or the garden area with coffee chairs. Match them up with eclectic home accents and wall décor. Experts also recommend the cowboy bells by Bohemian Homes that remind us of that epic romance from DDLJ. A pretty planter and macrame plant holders blending in with sheer curtains gives a cool breezy look, clubbed with the warmth of the candles, tea lights and hurricane lamps. A rule of thumb is to stick to neutral bases and add a dash of pop colours to brighten the space in the form of cushions, wall art or accent furniture.
Don’t be afraid to go bold. Use striking colours like option for decor and the aroma gets the holiday mood right, too. The fragrances are not only blends of Indian floral notes but also have a pretty packing to make a great gift.”
Don’t just stick to the basic red and green décor, think about classic combinations like black and white, which make for a crisp, graphic combination. Decor expert Raseel Gujral Ansal of Casa Paradox says, “Try to incorporate as many eco-friendly décor elements as you can, it’s the need of the hour! Succulents are earth friendly, low maintenance and an excellent modern Christmas decorating idea. Arrange a few in a centrepiece, or go big with a succulent wreath or garland. Treat all the senses – I’m a big believer in indulging all the senses. It is the key to create a beautiful home. Play with textures to draw interest and convey this special time of year.” emerald green, firs green, bordeaux, royal blue, turquoise or even black; they play a predominant role in the decoration. Don’t go overboard. Extravagance is severely overrated around the festive season. You don’t need to display every holiday decoration you’ve accumulated over the years. Instead of being a sentimental look back in time, it’ll just end up making your home look cluttered. Choose three to four holiday elements per room. That way they won’t be overwhelming and will really stand out.