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wow factor
7 tricks to take your Christmas décor from dull to delightful, according to designers
Tired of the tinsel already? Here’s how to take things up a notch.
CHRISTMAS IS THE time of year when we want our home to feel glamorous, festive, and welcoming to guests, but it’s also a very busy time for many families.
From Christmas parties to Santa visits – it can all leave us feeling a little time-poor. That said, we still want to put a little effort into making our homes feel festive.
So what are the simplest ways to introduce a little Christmas cheer?
I chatted to six of Ireland’s top interior stylists and designers to discover their simple tips and tricks for making your home looking luxe this Christmas. From foraging for gorgeous foliage to nailing your festive colour palette, we’ve got you covered!
1. Double up on candles to add a luxury feel
Cathy Angelini, Flamingo Interior Design
Candles add instant festive cheer and warmth to your home, and grouped together on a tray or centrepiece, they can create a wow factor on a budget. Another budget-friendly option is to add seasonal greenery, such as eucalyptus or pine, to help create that festive vibe to your home. A simple wreath for your door, a few sprigs of eucalyptus in a vase or mini wreaths around stark white pillar candles, and you have your own little winter wonderland.
2. Buy budget-friendly greenery instead of fancy flowers
Lesiele Juliet, interior stylist
I also like to fill my home with foliage with a garland around the mantelpiece or wrapped around the staircase. A big bunch of eucalyptus costs around €25 and goes a long way, especially if you mix it with other elements such as branches and evergreen, which you can always find in the park.
3. Or just pick up a few springs while out walking
Róisín Lafferty, Kingston Lafferty Design
With focus moving toward organic materials and sustainability, one way to spruce up the elegance and sophistication of your home is to take a walk in the countryside and avail of the bounty it offers. Our woods are covered in beautiful pinecones, there is heather on the hills, and you will find holly on roadsides across the country. You can also make use of winter branches that have fallen to the ground, they can make an elegant decorative centrepiece.
4. Use jewel tones like teal instead of red and green
Kate O’Dowd, event and interior stylist, Love and Gatherings
For an extra grown-up vibe, I shy away from the traditional palette of pillarbox red and kelly green and instead go slightly off-centre with tones like marsala, teal, blush and chartreuse, all offset by the warmth of yellow gold. Creating your own festive palette, to suit the colours already in your home, rather than lashing up Christmas-in-a-box every December, oozes sophistication and looks way more spendy that it really is.
To me, there could be little richer than a majestic fir tree, with warm white fairy lights and nothing but clear glass baubles and velvet bows in a range of rich shades. But this year, I’m all over passementerie (the fancy word for tassels, fringing and velvet ribbon) as the classic and yet totally on-trend way to dress my Christmas greenery. Strings of fringing tape or individual tassels will glam up a simple twig or hemlock arrangement to no end.
5. And if in doubt, add a few hints of gold
Lesiele Juliet, interior stylist
Hints of gold in your accessories will instantly elevate your home. Pairing gold with white is a match made in decoration heaven – or you could go even more luxe and maximalist with varying metallics – gold, silver and bronze.
6. Don’t forget the table centrepiece
Aoife Tobin, interior designer, Style So Simple
A good centrepiece for the dining table always elevates an interior, giving it a rich, warm feel. These can be simply made with garlands mixed with fairy lighting and berries, or they can be purchased relatively inexpensively, too. I also love to add lots of battery-powered candles around my interior for Christmas for an elegant ambience.
7. Work your houseplants into your décor
Denise O’Connor, Interior Designer, Optimise Home
I’m a huge fan of plants and especially love them indoors at this time of year when our gardens have gone to sleep. Poinsettia are popular in Irish homes, but broaden your horizons and invest in something that will last all year round. Try succulents or ferns and group them together in a cluster. Add some lights, candles or even a bauble or two for a lovely festive display.
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