I’m on the hunt for some Christmas records. I’ve got Nat King Cole by my record player but if I could add a Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra holiday album to the mix, I might have the perfect music to listen to as I decorate my house.
In recent years, I’ve struggled at Christmas time. The apathy for the season was at its highest. But this year, I’ve resolved to embrace the winter weather as soon as it starts (aka right now).
Growing up, there was the rule that we didn’t decorate until Dec. 1. But with my love for interior designs and styles growing, I’ve opted to break that tradition and enjoy the decorations as early as I can so I get good use out of them.
Last year was my first Christmas in my own home. Decoration wise, I fear I got caught up in the trendy colours of pastels and metallics (sigh). Because I don’t want it to be a total waste, I’m hoping to repurpose some of them to go with me planned traditional-farmhouse aesthetic that, if I’m honest with myself, has always been my favourite style.
To accomplish this, I’m looking for natural fibres like wood accents, burlap, greenery and other textures. I’ve got my entryway shelf decorated with wood accents and some lights, I’ve got green garland wrapped in burlap ribbon along my cabinet tops and I’ve got some poinsettia garland along the TV stand/bookshelf. Christmas lights draped from one end of the curtain rod to the other illuminate the Baroque lace curtain and I’ve got wooden white letters of A&M lit up in the window sill. I think I have some of the cosy aspect nailed for the winter vibes; now I just need to get out the full Christmas decor.
Farmhouse style often has these very popular signs with a “fresh cut trees” or “fresh from the farm” messages. Often, they look like a print of corrugated metal or even some on wood.
But y’all might not be interested in the same design style as me, so I thought we could run down a couple popular options.
Traditional: Think the time period of the classic Christmas songs sung by the crooners I mentioned earlier. Lots of gold, green, red and white. To add different materials, think greenery – spruce garland, poinsettias (just keep real ones away from you pets), holly berries, pine cones and frosted leaves. Pattern wise, buffalo plaid is very trendy and if you’re looking for a ribbon, look for plaids and velvet patterns or materials. In addition, vignettes you can create in your home can include a series of nutcrackers, Santa figures, or traditional Christmas village or nativity scene.
Glamourous-Modern: One word – glitter. It’s a trademark. While it can be found in other styles, it’s something that’s very apparent. Or think of those little tree decorations that are straight cones covered in stones or sparkles. The style can still feature traditional shapes but there’s a pop of light reflection to it. Last season, modern colours were the trendy pastels; this year it seems to be leaning towards golds and whites. In a glam style, accent colours lean toward silver and gold (like the Christmas song) and other metals like brass or bronze. Consider putting those elements into a frosted wreath or garland. Other elements could include faux fur tree skirts or carpeting and feathers that can be found as decals on ornaments.
Mid-Century-Modern: Welcome to a retro Christmas style. Bright colours, tinsel everywhere, kitschy winter figures like mitts and hats, scarves with patterns. The ornaments can be funky looking or felt material, they’re different kind of shapes and some even made of the teak, dark honey wood colour. It’s a cosy but playful feeling style. If you want a tree, you don’t want something super fat (think sparser or even a Charlie Brown tree). Geometric patterns in stripes and starbursts are something that can be implemented into your home to add more colour and texture to the style.
Minimalist: It’s a catchphrase these days, but there’s something to be said about the style at Christmas. This features a neutral, muted colour pallet with grays, whites and creams (partnered with the occasional gold). Like the mid-century style, it doesn’t always have a full tree, but more twiggy and some even just bare-branches. Wood features are lighter in colour, often white birch or ceramics and metals. It’s not a glitzy, caricature style but more bare bones with smooth, clean lines sometimes with a soft glow (candles).
Regardless of design styles, home bodies, find what makes you holiday/Christmas/merry, happy, jolly season your own. May you days be merry and bright, friends.
MORE HOMEBODY:
