Find your festive flair

THE festive season is the perfect excuse to have fun and experiment with the latest decor trends, temporarily transforming your home into a beautiful retreat for family time, friendly feasting and holiday cheer.

The Decorex SA team has worked with the top decor trends emerging for the festive season, and has come up with some ideas for the whole house, from the table to the tree. A world of too much choice has inspired our ‘back to basics’ approach for this festive season. Gone are the days of the more the merrier, now it’s all about finding beauty in simplicity, craftsmanship and originality.

On the table:

– Try a table scheme that mixes natural textures such as burlaps, cottons and linens in neutral tones. Bringing the outdoors indoors is right on trend so be inspired by your garden space – add colour with berries and ivy, or fresh roses, pinecones, buds and leaves.

– White is making a comeback. Transport your family and friends into the Northern hemisphere with a nostalgic white and silver theme. A clean, fresh aesthetic can be glammed up with glittery embellishments and metallic trimmings.

– Swap the clichéd candy canes for candlesticks. Keep your scheme simple and add charm, glamour and romance with a carefully considered candlestick display. Go for formal and symmetrical or casual and haphazard, creating a high-low effect with different heights and mismatched sizes.

– Keep your table lighting green and stylish by placing the much-loved Consol solar jars at intervals down the table. As the sun goes down, these will cast a gentle glow upon your meal. And don’t forget the jar unscrews: Place a family of grass or hand sewn angels, in the bottles and the light will give them an otherworldly sparkle.

– Include a fun, interactive touch with edible table decor. Tempt your guests with displays of gingerbread men and stacks of mince pies so they know what to look forward to at the end of the night!

Under the tree:

– The revival of natural need not be countrified. Wrap your presents in burlap, brown paper or handmade artisan wrapping paper and give them a sparkle with luxe elements that up the ante, such as an oversized silk ribbon in shimmery taupe or bronze, a fancy gift tag or a lush fresh rose.

– Add a personalised gift tag – the trend is towards uniqueness and personalisation.

On the stairs:

– Why not change it up this year and treat your bannister as you would a mantelpiece. Adorn it with greenery, Christmas stockings and even garlands of Christmas cards or gift tags to extend the festive cheer throughout your home.

For the tree:

– Create a sumptuous atmosphere of luxury and comfort by decorating your tree in a soft and neutral colour scheme. Add elegance and interest in the combination of textures – silk, embroidery, metallic and beaded elements. Think ‘champagne glamour’.

– Get the whole family to get involved. Try creating your own beaded stars or even spray-painting found objects such as driftwood, pinecones and doily snowflakes.

– And if you don’t have place for a tree, why not use a string of white fairy lights to create the shape of a Christmas tree on your wall for an indoor starry night appeal. It’s easy, charming and effective.

For the mantelpiece:

– Keep it natural with lots of foliage and flowers. Magnify the effect by decorating with mirrors, in different shapes and sizes. Lean them casually against the wall in a decorative display and intersperse them with candles – they will reflect light and make the space look bigger.

– The Winter Wonderland theme is a die-hard festive front-runner. Living in South Africa, snow is practically exotic, with European motifs, like snowflakes transporting us to another world. Strings of snowflake gardens are easy to make and even easier to enjoy.

On your door:

– When it comes to decorating your front door, the desire for simplicity has translated into the familiar, with a return to tradition. Combine green wreaths with natural elements and red accents – try a big red bow to create the ultimate classic.

– Taking the theme of nostalgia one step further, vintage decorative accessories are among the most popular 2014 holiday decorating themes. If the traditional wreath is not for you, experiment with hanging repurposed, vintage ornaments on your front door, such as wooden angels or giant hearts of beaded strings.

For the front garden:

– Let there be light. Take inspiration from the really passionate American garden decorators and hang fairy lights in the trees, on the fence and in the pot plants – your house will be the talk of the neighbourhood. For a real showstopper, invest in glowing garden pots and illuminated furniture.

For more information on Decorex Durban, go to www.decorex.co.za