Every year, Rich and I have a minor tiff about Christmas decorations. I always want to go classy and co-ordinated but still warm and Christmassy, and he always wants to go bold, brash and tacky. I like warm, twinkling fairy lights; he likes Father Christmas toilet seat covers and tinsel in the most garish of colours.
This year, we’ve come to a compromise. I’m going to be in charge of the indoors, and he is allowed to decorate the outside of the house. As I am typing this, I am wondering, what the hell have I agreed to?! If any of my neighbours are reading this, I apologise now.
So because I have free rein of the lounge, hallway and kitchen (where we spend the most of our time, right?!), I’m determined to make the interior of our humble abode a stylish Christmas wonderland. The only question is, which theme to go for?
Rustic Cheer
I’m really drawn to rustic industrial trinkets and treasures at the moment. The ‘Noel’ letters in the header above are from Zara. And in the selection below I’ve included a range of natural elements – from the hessian of the reindeer to the felt of the chubby little hanging bird and acorns. Whilst I would be tempted to adorn the wooden stag head with sprigs of holly or mistletoe over the festive period, you could most definitely keep it on display all year round.
Nordic Noel
This is the scheme that lends itself most to our house because most of our rooms are a combination of grey, white and oak. I think the addition of some red would bring a touch of warmth and vibrancy to proceedings. Lovely Lolly treated lucky Hector to the felt penguin and embroidered grey bauble below, and editor Lauren has fallen for these copper and gold constellation decorations. I was a little confused at some of the seemingly non-Christmassy decorations in Paperchase (sequinned hot dog or Christmas octopus anyone?), but these unusual midnight marble baubles made up for them.
Joyful Jewel Tones
I think the way to do jewel tones is to buy a set of simple colourful baubles (such as these ones from Paperchase) and then intersperse with one or two really gorgeous intricate creations (like this work of art from John Lewis). Peacock inspired ornaments are definitely having a moment, I love this delicately decorated bauble from Maisons Du Monde and these opulent glass creations with actual peacock feathers from Not On The High Street.
Traditional Trimmings
Did you catch Roses and Rolltops blogger Rebecca’s living room tour yesterday? Blinking beautiful. As is her Instagram feed, where I spotted this uber-cute car-in-a-jar. My dad loves VW campers so I will definitely be buying him a camper van one for Christmas. But back to presents – ahem – Christmas decorations for myself. I’ve been on the hunt for a garland that I can drape across my fireplace for ages so I was tickled pink when Lauren pointed me in the direction of this one from Tesco. And whilst we are talking pink, how pretty is this Faberge Egg bauble (which doesn’t really fit in to any of these inspiration categories but is too cute not to include!)?
Well that has got me fully in the Christmas spirit. Please excuse me while I go and watch Love Actually/Elf/that film where the neighbours have a Christmas lights competition.
Have you started thinking about decorations yet? Are you going to go for a scheme, and if so which one? I would love to know if there are any other cute Christmassy trinkets or beautiful baubles that I need to add to my wish list.
Love Christmas, although ours is definitely understated. I always have a real tree for the smell, more than anything, decorated in white and glass only, with white lights, when I started my current job my friends said I was boring, so gave my husband a couple of gaudy purple baubles to put on my tree lol. They now agree that white looks fab. Whenever I buy the tree, I always ask for the branches that they cut off the bottom of the trees and use them to make wreaths and fresh flower displays. Last year I bought 100 miniature baubles from Paperchase and hung them from contorted willow branches in a jug, it looked very effective. This year I’m using my empty Hendricks bottles (I have plenty) and putting miniature battery lights inside, you can group different bottles together and hide the battery pack with foliage place around the base.
This all sounds beautiful Eileen. And some brill tips – will definitely be stealing your ideas and asking for branches and using foliage to hide battery packs! X
This post has made me very excited and my husband has agreed this morning that I can slowwwly start festivities so I’m going to spruce up the flat with fairy lights and purchase some Christmas scented candles. Anyone have any recommendations for the candles? Lights wise I was thinking of purchasing a few packs of these micro lights to dot around bedrooms and the lounge… http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/lights4fun/product/20-copper-wire-micro-fairy-lights
Me too Anna! So excited for Christmas now.
I mentioned those lights to Lauren yesterday, great minds!
Yup I would also like to hear recommendations for Christmassy candles…
Try the Winter candle from White Company. It’s the perfect Christmas scent without being overly sweet or synthetic (which I find most other festive candles to be). Plus they come in plain pillar styles so match in to any scheme – garish or sophis ?
I agree Sarah! I buy the Winter candle every year (and even had it burning on my wedding day in October!) and I love the smell. Great minds!
100% agree. I’ve been buying this for years and give it as a gift often as to me its just THE smell of Christmas. LOVE. x
Thanks for the tip everyone- the white company never fails!
Anna, there were some lights like these in Dunelm Mill that were cheaper – meaning you could get more. I got them in the summer (!) and wound them round our trees – they looked great!
we always have a real tree and its decorated with a huge variety of glass ornaments collected over the years. I remember when and where most were bought and always find something I’ve forgotten about when I unpack them each year. For me Christmas isn’t about a theme or scheme its about memories and traditions. Having said that my kids do believe I’m allergic to tinsel as I can’t stand the stuff and told them I was allergic to stop the nagging (blush)
Yes, love unpacking the decorations every year and finding ones I’d forgotten about and the memories behind them.
I am so going to do the same and tell Lyra I’m allergic to tinsel ?
Some really lovely decorations Lisa. Every year I tell myself to ‘keep it classy’ and then get totally over excited and spray everything in fake snow. Oh well. So excited for more Christmas posts xxx
Thanks Mrs D ?
Smiling at the image of you going crazy with the fake snow.
Lots more Christmas posts coming your way x
I may have to purchase those micro lights!
My tree is a mixture of blue and white and always will be. I have a quite a few decorations that would fit in with your Noel theme too. Especially my bird houses from John lewis. https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/478718635361731741/
I love Christmas and can’t wait to put my tree up every year. I always put it up at the beginning of December (usually the 1st) but then I take it down before New Year. To me, you should start the year fresh (not with a dying tree).
I always purchase my decorations in the January sales. It’s a long wait to use them but it’s worth it when you get a bargain.
I hate tinsel! My dad has his house covered in it. He also likes singing Santas, hats that flash and a mixture of coloured fairy lights (the horror!). As much as I don’t like any of it, I love going to his house. You are immediately thrown into the Christmas spirit and instantly feel all nostalgic. Now I have my own family and this will be my baby’s first Christmas, I can’t to take him to his Grandpa’s house
Ahhh, your baby’s first Christmas… bet it’s a magical one.
Your dad would get on like a house on fire with Rich ? I know what you mean, I think I would embrace it if it wasn’t my own house! Ha ha x
This post has given me so much inspiration! I have decided this year that i don’t want to be involved in the planning part of christmas, * Instead I am self elected head of decorations, my only qualifications being a floristry course and about 50 christmas pinterest boards.
We’ve repainted the lounge a peachy colour with brown leather sofas this year (nicer than it sounds I swear!) so none of the red decorations go. I am currently attempting to replace all of them (around 200) with copper and gold colours. Copper may be the colour of the year but it is proving very hard to find decorations. I am hoping a trip to John lewis in Birmingham is going to help, or if all else fails I am just going to put Holly everywhere!
I sympathise with the outdoor decorations as every year dad insists on decorating our yew tree to look like a snowman. It takes a lot of lights.
*I still live at home so there is a lot of who’s where and eating what and sleeping where stress. Currently I think Mum is trying to work out if she can make somebody impersonate Harry potter by sleeping under the stairs to help everyone fit in!
Lol-ing at Harry Potter and your 50 Christmas Pinterest boards! And the yew tree snowman?! PLEASE send us pics.
As for copper Christmas decorations, have you tried Paperchase/Cox and Cox?:
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=4746&awinaffid=195689&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coxandcox.co.uk%2Ffive-pressed-metal-feathers-copper
http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3637&awinaffid=195689&clickref=&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.paperchase.co.uk%2F10-batt-copper-diamond-lights.html
Gosh this is seriously my kind of post – I ADORE christmas decs, twinkly lights, anything festive in fact! Last year we purchased a Cox and Cox indoor/outdoor light up birch tree for our newly extended kitchen/diner (http://www.coxandcox.co.uk/christmas/trees/grey-indoor-outdoor-light-up-trees). It was lovely decorated with tiny baubles, and I loved the twinkle of it so much its stayed up for the entire year (much to my husbands protests), decorated with hearts at Valentines, bunnies & eggs at Easter, Paperchase clip-on parrots through the summer and currently adorned with glittery pumpkins for Halloween. It really has been a tree that keeps on giving! I’m currently eyeing up those gorgeous mini acorns from NOTH for an autumnal feel before I go all out next month with christmas baubles again. Keep the festive posts coming!! ps I too am a tinsel snob – its hereditary I reckon, my mum is the same!
I need one of those trees in my life. Which size did you go for?
The acorns were one of my fave finds.
Love, fellow tinsel snob. x
I like to go a bit traditional with the tree and stick to reds and golds. But I do have some lovely rustic wooden star decorations and metal stars to keep it a wee bit modern here and there. So excited to decorate this year!!
You can’t go wrong with reds and golds…the most Christmassy colours x
I absolutely love Christmas, the run up, the excitement, buying presents and decorating. Love it.
I’ve been planning decorations for weeks, I’ve bought a plain garland and I plan on adding accessories to that and wind it around part of our bannister (we have 2 flights of stairs so a lot of bannisters!) All of it arrived earlier this week and I’ve put it away so I can start December by creating it. We have 3 cats so we keep our tree decorations none-breakable and soft for the most part. John Lewis is fab for this and I’ve got quite the collection, I like to buy one or 2 newbies every year much to my husband’s dismay!
I have foliage planned, the wrapping theme picked out. Bring on December.
Your stairs are going to look immense Sarah. I may well steal that idea.
Yes with a cat and a two year old I have to strategically position our tree decorations 🙂
Which wrapping theme are you going to go for? x
White and gold I think Lisa – these 2 are gorgeous: http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-ostravia-glitter-bakewell-stripe-gift-wrap-3m-gold/p2707565 & http://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-ostravia-gold-spot-gift-wrap-3m-white/p2707508
Next have got some nice ones as well. x
I used really similar paper last year 🙂
Yeaaaaaayyyy RMS Christmas posts – my favourite!!! *waits patiently for Lauren’s post on wrapping*….
Hahaha Sian we were just talking about this yesterday. Stay tuned…
We’re all over this Sian! x
Awww these decorations as so cute! I changed all of our decorations last year and went with a woodland theme. I bought baubles and green, copper and chocolate and then found lovely rustic wooden decorations (Wilkos had hanging stars made with wood with bark still on it and were an absolute bargain!). I used garlands with autumnal type berries to drape over mirrors and gathered holly from outside to put around candles. I can’t wait to get the decorations out again soon.
Loving the sound of a whimsical woodland theme Claire B 🙂
Wilkos are SO GOOD for decorations. I found loads of stuff for around a quid x
LOVE the constellation bears, might have to pick those up myself!! I am also seriously anti-tinsel. Our tree always has neutrals and mixed metallics (sometimes I’ll add a little neon just for a bit of fun), alongside a glass bauble which we fill with something to represent the year we’ve just had. The first year we did this we filled it with confetti from our wedding which now hangs alongside a bauble filled with guinea fowl feathers and tiny bears to represent the arrival of our little boy (Arthur Bear). This year hasn’t been decided yet so I need to get thinking, but it’s a really nice way to build up a personal decoration collection and I hope my children will enjoy them as they get older! I love the cosy Nordic feel, and with the Hygge trend this seems even more appropriate. Lots of sheepskins and candles and shimmery things. I’m so excited that I’m finally allowed to think about it! Rockett St George has some great bits this year, I love these wooden stars to scatter across the table: http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/christmas/view-all-christmas/wooden-scatter-stars-55126-p.html and they have some gold glittery crowns that I’m going to buy for our dinner parties! Can’t wait to see what you pick! X
Ooh, a glass bauble tradition is such a lovely idea. (And Arthur Bear…cutest name ever?!)
Hadn’t thought to check out Rockett St George but those stars are so pretty. You could display them in glass jars when they’re not scattered on your table. x
This post made me chuckle! Rich sounds exactly like my husband – loves all thing tacky when it comes to Christmas! We resolved a couple of years ago to have 2 trees! He puts a fake tree up in the dining room and I get my real tree in the living room…each can decorate how they choose! I’m going for a woodland theme so loving those rustic decorations! x
What are they like?!
Kicking myself that I didn’t think to do your two-Christmas-trees idea (glad you got the lounge ?) x
I would love to have a beautifully classy house at Christmas… but my partner loves a good trimming! You know, those weird foil concertina things that you string from one corner of the ceiling to the other… very 70s. He gets it from his dad – for them, gaudy trimmings ARE Christmas! He is so happy when they’re up that I can’t argue against them… and I always remind myself that at least it won’t ever top the year that his parents were in the middle of decorating at Christmas, so he wallpapered their chimney breast in Christmas wrapping paper…!
Yesss the colourful ones?! We used to have them when I was growing up!
Bless, sounds like you are too good to him ? x
Cracking christmassy post! Haha Katie G – I totally remember the foil concertina decs, my grandparents have those too – I kind of like them as it makes me feel all nostalgic.
My friend openly admits to having a Christmas tree so full of tinsel and lametta (is that the right word for that stringy stuff you lob at the tree?) that it looks like a ‘clown has thrown up on it’ (her words!)
Me however, I am so obsessed with Christmas decorations that our tree has more of an eclectc theme as I buy new ones every year. It now looks pretty impressive and jam packed. My husband leaves the Christmas decorating to me and gives me free reign – his only job is to untangle the fairy lights.
Can’t wait for more Christmas posts!! X
Ha ha, that is a brilliant description. (I’ve got to admit, I used to be a big fan of lametta…shhh)
Untangling the fairy lights. Worst. Job. Ever. x
Aaaah, I love Christmas!!! Our tree has different shades of red/pink baubles from Rockett St George, I love them, and plain white lights. I also made an origami star for the top, and have a variety of smaller versions to put on mantelpieces. I really fancy making a garland thing for the bannisters, my mother always did this with ivy and garden foliage, it was lovely. Being a London-dweller, however, I don’t have an endless supply of said greenery on my doorstep. May need to raid the Common in the middle of the night – is it legal to cut greenery from public spaces?!!!! My husband’s family is all about the tinsel, multicoloured decorations, foil and snowman lights etc around the house. Thankfully he doesn’t seem to object to my more pared back tastes…
Annie this colour scheme sounds beautiful. I’m so impressed at you making your own stars, please tell me more…like what kind of paper did you use?
Good luck with your midnight foliage foraging ?
This is the star I make: http://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/christmas/ideas/how-to-make-origami-paper-stars
It takes a few goes of watching the video closely but it does work really well. I have some lovely Japanese origami paper I bought ages ago, in New York I think, in beautiful rich colours with metallics, lots of reds, greens, vivid blues and the like mixed with gold and silver. They make beautiful stars!
And these are the baubles: http://www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk/christmas/view-all-christmas/20-multi-tones-pearl-glass-christmas-decorations-large-7cm-or-small-3cm-redpink-50-off-33130-p.html
They also do a more monochrome version…
So much pretty! Definitely going to have a go at the star. And just spotted some black and gold baubles on Rockett St George, gorgeous x
I love Christmas and have a tradition of buying decorations when we travel somewhere new so I have a great time decorating my tree reminiscing. I have decorations from to name a few India, Australia, America, South Africa, Budapest, Paris, New York. It means our trees doesn’t have a theme and some of my decs have been passed down from my Mum and Grand Parents, I even have a bauble from the original Queen Mary ship, but most are traditional in style and I then I use vintage inspired decs and little baubles, Marks and Spencer’s are great at these.
Brill idea. What a well travelled and cultured tree! 🙂
After a bit of ‘discussion’ James has allowed me to have three trees. Nothing grand but I’m thinking the usual fake one in the living room and a couple of real three footers for the snug and the dining room. Obviously this explains why I’ve just about bought everything from this post.
Loving your enthusiasm Lauren! Am now thinking just the one tree in our house isn’t enough ? X
On the White Company candle theme, just received my Mistletoe candle today, haven’t lit it yet but it smells gorgeous in the jar! http://www.thewhitecompany.com/Mistletoe-Candle/p/MSDCN?swatch=No+Colour
Lauren please post EARLY, have baby, am all over early wrapping, I need your input waaaay before december. DO IT xxxxxx purleeeeese
Just seen your comment about the film with the Christmas lights competition and laughed loudly in the office …where I am *working*..
Love that film, never know what it is called but its on every year.
Ha! Love this Rachael.
[…] Life. It fits perfectly into the jewel-toned Christmassy colour scheme that I talked about in my ‘No Tinsel Allowed’ post a couple of weeks ago, and I reckon these would also look great in a monochrome […]