I am excited to be the Tandridge Independent’s first interiors columnist! Not only because I believe beautiful interiors should accessible to everyone, but I also love to champion local businesses and retailers who I come across when sourcing for my clients. We are lucky to have a wealth of creative talent on our Tandridge doorstep, as well as all the high street and online retailers and suppliers. As well as sharing insights, tips, and advice I’ll also be keeping you up to date on these.
This month I’m all about adding Christmas sparkle to your homes!
We all love a bit of glitz but the challenge is to create a festive look your family and friends will admire, without turning your home into Santa’s Grotto (unless that’s your intention!). Keep to a selection of colours or similar decorations for a consistently stylish look throughout. Here are my top tips, along with some of the big decoration trends this year.
Keep it natural
There’s something special about Christmas decor that brings the winter outdoors in. So, get foraging (but never on private land!). Collect pine cones, fallen fir branches and holly, and create candle decorations, front door wreathes and table settings.
Slice oranges, air dry them and hang them on tree/fireplace garlands,
or tie them onto presents as wrapping decorations. (Don’t forget to use paper wrapping tape this year!)
The natural colour palette is also very on trend so whether natural materials or man-made decorations, keep to a green, brown and white palette with a little sprinkle of gold.
Alternative trees
I’m a fan of real Christmas trees, mostly because of the aroma it brings to our homes. But if you don’t want to be constantly hoovering up needles and/or you’re on a budget, why not invest in a reusable tree (good for the environment too!)?
There’s a great selection of faux trees (and flock trees are, again, very ‘in’ this year) but if you fancy something contemporary, check out the Cox and Cox silhouette trees or pre-lit faux willow or fir trees! Or just pick your favourite large indoor plant and adorn it with fairy lights. (You can always cheat and use a fir scented candle instead!)
Decorations with a difference
A key current interiors trend is dried grasses/plants, so we’re seeing more of this coming into Christmas decorations, with pre-lit grasses and pampas wreathes, often matched with blush pink decorations, giving a soft and stylish look.
Following on with the eco/sustainability trend, paper decorations are big news. They’ve been growing in popularity over recent years and paper chains, garlands, ceiling-hung pom poms and snowflakes are becoming much more prominent in the shops.
Want something different? Famous faces tree decorations are a great way to bring some fun but can still look quite classy! Check out Rocket St George, Trouva or England at Home.
A festive welcome
Front door wreaths are a welcoming addition to your home, alongside pretty lights and garden decorations. Keep it simple: pure white fairy lights on plants and in windows, decorations made from natural materials, eg wicker reindeer, and, still on trend this year, half wreaths. Have a go at making one yourself.
Family fun
Ultimately, Christmas is for the kids, right? Those years when they ‘believe’ won’t last forever, so get them involved in the decorating, too. If you like total control over the tree (me!), give them a mini faux tree to decorate for the kitchen table, or get them making paper snowflakes to hang in the windows. Homemade decorations have a charm of their own!
Shop local
Local garden centres, in particular Priory Farm, Knights and Haskins, have Christmas decor to match most colour schemes. Alternatively, Gabrielle Louise Interiors is currently hosting a seasonal pop-up shop in Church Walk, Caterham.
Deborah Smith is the founder and design director of Menagerie Interiors.
Please send your enquiries to deborah@menagerieinteriors.co.uk Instagram: @menagerie_interiors
