Decadent-decor

Another client asked me how she could make her minimalist, contemporary home, feel warm and festive for the Christmas period, without sacrificing style?

Style is something you don’t have to sacrifice these days as the plethora of Christmas products available cater for all tastes and styles. You no longer have to go with traditional red and green used with pine garlands and trees, a much more contemporary look can be achieved. The key here is to keep to a theme or style and not too mix it up too much. Be sympathetic to the colour scheme or decor in specific rooms, or use a neutral style throughout the house that will blend in, yet create festive charm at the same time. Metallics are great for this as all metallics are neutral. My personal favourite is gold and silver used together. Gold tones give you warmth and character while silver empathises with the crisp frosty tones of bright, snow white, winter mornings. White fairly lights on clear flex can be used anywhere and everywhere to add winter charm without sacrificing style.

You don't have to have a traditional Christmas tree. Go for a modernistic metallic or wire famed tree and decorate it with simple items in contemporary colours such as small presents for guests to open on Christmas day, or clear or coloured glass droppers. You don't have to have a tree at all. You can decorate your home with your chosen Christmas colour scheme in any number of ways from table and mantle decorations to contemporary wreaths and garlands, or even metallic beaded or embroidered cushions for some subtle Christmas sparkle. An interesting, sculptural branch sprayed in silver and set in a simplistic tall vase with just a few accessories and some lights can make an impressive statement piece too.

Particularly effective is a collection of oversized baubles suspended from varying lengths of metallic twine or ribbon, in the corner of a room (possibly where the tree would have normally been) where it is unlikely anyone will walk in to them. The effect is arty, stylish and inexpensive.

There is an amazing array of unusual hand-made decorations available today as well that you could really make an outstanding display like this with, so challenge yourself to do something a bit different and unique in your minimalistic home this Christmas. You'll create a talking point which will get a great reaction from all your visitors not to mention a fair few compliments!