The start of Advent is here, and for those who’ve resisted temptation to ‘deck the halls’ early this year you may still be interested to discover the best ways to create the ultimate Christmas ambience through some of London’s top interior designers.
Known for working with the likes of property developer, Berkeley Group reveal their top tips and key décor trends to focus on this season.
Consider Your Surroundings
Christmas décor that really looks as though it’s been created just for that space will always make the greatest impact. So, for example, if you live in a really old property then go for a traditional tree and rustic decorations, from brown paper wrapping with string and thin rope to plenty of berries and mistletoe.
Choose Seasonal Scents
“Smell is one of the quickest and most effective ways to create a seasonal atmosphere, so I’d always start with a great candle smelling of juniper and pine,” says Jo Littlefair, Director and Co-Founder of interior design company Goddard Littlefair.
You can also try introducing bunches of cinnamon sticks to your decorations to give your home the fragrance of a traditional winter aroma. Other scents that are great for the festive season include pine, vanilla, orange peel, eucalyptus and ginger.
Try Turquoise & Teal
“Turquoise and teal in home furnishing have gone from strength to strength – never more so than this Christmas,” says Paul Dawson, Design Director at Honky.co.uk. “As a colour it conveys balance and calm – something we all aspire to! As we look to the new year, what better colour choice than one that promotes reflection and optimism.”
Get Crafty
There’s no better way to be unique than to make things by hand. If you’re feeling crafty, then create your own wrapping paper using a bespoke stamp and brown paper – it’s so cheap, but can be so effective with raffia ties. Or, for a really high-end look, you can decorate fruit with gold leaf for a table or hearth display.
Make A Statement
“Proving that there really is nothing new under the sun – this year sees a push for upside down trees.” Says Paul Dawson.“The practice of hanging a tree upside down dates back to the Middle Ages. Picked up by retailers (presumably wanting a festive display whilst maximising floor space over this key time), this year sees the concept being widely available for domestic situations. Parents with inquisitive children & pets, will probably welcome the concept…”
Light Up
Decorations can easily look like a jumble, so streamlining colour is vital to creating an effective look, whether you go for a traditional red and green theme or more unusual autumnal shades, such as plum and burnt orange. “Twinkling lights, however, are something you can always go big on, because they lift a whole room and create an instant party feel,” says Jo Littlefair.
