Give your home a style of its own this Christmas
Dressing your Christmas tree will be a whole lot easier this year according to the interior designers who create fantastic show homes for award winning housebuilder Redrow around the UK. This yuletide, more than ever, it’s a case of ‘anything goes’. From classic traditional to funky pop art, no matter which you choose, your tree can be the best dressed this festive season.
Dawn Kitchener, managing director of interior design company, Connections in Design, says: “This year it’s all about variety. Dressing the home for Christmas has often focused on one particular theme, fashion or colour; however this time around it’s much more exciting, with the emphasis on individual taste, preference and flair.
“Styles that could be adopted include the traditional - using an array of classic candles and bows; or how about the pop art look featuring colourful baubles or maybe metallic, mirrored and sequined details that dazzle under the fairy lights?
“Alternatively a natural or organic look can be created using traditional wooden decorations; or why not go ‘cheap chic’ and decorate your tree using an eclectic mix of decorations found in charity stores – and salve your conscience too.”
Those who love experimenting with colour will be pleased to know that the theme of individuality does not stop at the style of their tree but also extends to the colours they use.
“From electric purples and blues, to classic reds and fresh organic shades, whichever colours you choose your tree can still be fashionable,” adds Dawn. “Those feeling particularly bold could follow trends inspired by the autumn/winter catwalks and decorate their tree in dramatic shades of grey and jet-black.”
The individual, ‘anything goes’ approach to festive decor also extends to the rest of the home and that spectacular centre-piece, the Christmas dinner table.
Says Dawn: “It’s generally best to colour-match accessories such as table runners, placemats, crackers, napkin rings, candle holders, drink charms and crackers with those on your Christmas tree for continuity. Gold and silver are always popular, as are berry reds and regal purples, but the more daring could go down the ‘back to black’ route for a super-chic look.
“By using beads, glitter and silk you can make your dinner a more glamorous affair, while candles scented with cinnamon, nutmeg or cranberry will definitely enhance the atmosphere.”
Dawn’s expert stylists recently put some of their ideas into practice to decorate one of Redrow’s larger, more luxurious properties, giving home owners an idea of what can be achieved. The show home itself is an upmarket and glamorous property, but also quite traditional, so they chose to work with this theme.
Traditional gold, cream and red are the predominant colours for the Christmas décor selected by Connections in Design.
The tree has been decorated using warm rich colours and is dressed with delicate golden ribbon, complemented by elegant bronze tinsel and a selection of classic baubles.
In the dining room, the designers have demonstrated two different styles to show how versatile the traditional Christmas theme can be.
With the first design the inspiration has come from the gilt mirror, luxurious flock wallpaper and silk curtains that combine to give this room an opulence all of its own. Come Christmas day the candlelight reflected in that fabulous mirror will give even the meanest Scrooge a warm glow!
The second design epitomises classic elegance, setting a crisp clean white tablecloth and crockery against large festive red plates and a sprig of traditional holly, giving a warm, homely feel.
For those who’d like to dress a brand new home this Christmas and sit down to roast turkey and all the trimmings in new surroundings, the good news is that Redrow has a number of properties that can be ready to move into in time for the festive season.
For details of local developments log on to Redrow.co.uk.
