All set to sparkle
YOU would expect a high-profile property development on London’s South Bank to have extra special Christmas décor but when Belvedere Gardens flats on the Shell Centre site are finished the decorations will be permanent. The 97 apartments in the two, 10 and 20-storey buildings will feature a star embossed across its bronze-toned façade to commemorate the site of the 1951 Festival of Britain and its Festival Star emblem.
Ultra-luxurious and with views across the River Thames to Parliament and Big Ben, prices start at £1,050,000 for a one-bedroom flat (0207 001 3600; southbank-place.com).
The two penthouses and the one, two and three-bedroom flats will also have interiors by Goddard Littlefair, with bronze detailing in every home and subtle tones in the health and fitness centre and residents’ lounge. The interior design firm’s founder Jo Littlefair describes Belvedere Gardens as the most opulent of the three phases of Southbank Place but her top Christmas decorations tip is to bring the outdoors in.
“Along with clusters of berries or cones as table decorations, you can find really beautiful seed heads in parks and woods – poppies are particularly good – which look great arranged over individual linen napkins, loosely tied round with a thick silk ribbon,” she says.
Jo advises against using reds and greens at the table, suggesting plum or burnt orange with the sparing use of gold. But she adds: “Candlelight is a must and a central display of pillar candles of varying heights can’t be beaten, with grosgrain ribbon wrapped generously around the base and tied into artful knots.”
Red and green may be on Jo’s naughty list but Dan Cooper, Christmas shop buyer at John Lewis thinks differently: “Red and green is the most well-known colour combination and will provide you with a traditional feature,” he suggests.
“However, I’d also recommend echoing the feel of the outdoors with winter whites, shades of blue, touches of green and shimmers of silver. Once you’ve decided your colours, make sure you stick to it so the tree doesn’t become too confusing.”
John Lewis is also bringing the outside in with Post Me Christmas Trees – real mini trees from Scotland complete with baubles and lights that you can post to friends.
And while there’s no outside-in message from interior designer Celia Sawyer of Channel 4’s Four Rooms, she advises Scandi-style neutral palettes with just a splash of sparkle. Grey, pastel pink, midnight blue and silver are the season’s hottest colours, she says, as well as faux fur and leather “for a luxe look”.
BLUE is definitely the colour this year according to Vanessa Hurley-Perera, chief product officer at sofa.com: “Deep petrol blues are at the forefront this season and are a perfect colour palette for Christmas as they provide a rich, opulent feel,” she says. “Accessories in rich gold and brass finishes will lift the look and bring an essence of old school glamour that is perfect for the festive season.”
And everybody agrees that Nordic grey and white is definitely in, hence the “bringing the outside in” natural approach.
“Accessorising with fresh foliage will give your home a Scandi feel – as well as making it smell great,” says Louise Lee, seasonal buyer at Wyevale Garden Centres (wyevalegardencentres.co.uk).
“If you can’t get hold of your own greenery and you don’t want artificial, then make a quick trip to your nearest garden centre where you can source sprigs of foliage, wreaths and scented pinecones. Wrap banisters with garlands of evergreen foliage and finish by dressing your fireplace and mantle with logs, church candles and Christmas stockings.”
And if you say humbug to real Christmas trees and foliage you can find an online guide to buying artificial trees on B&Q’s website – diy.com. Let the festivities begin!