I was grumbling last year in my Christmas round up that stores had begun to stock festive items before Halloween; this year I’ve turned into a bit of a hypocrite – I’ve got my Christmas decs purchased and ready to hang already!!!  I can’t wait for this Christmas, I’ve got a feeling in my bones it’s going to be a good one!

It got me thinking about how other Creatives will be decorating this Christmas; what are their preferred colours and best styling tips?  So, I asked them!  Simple!  Read on to discover some sophisticated styling tips and some interesting Christmas activities…

First up is Yulia Brodskaya, a super talented paper artist whose stunning work appears on one of our A/W 2013/14 trend boards, ‘The H/ACKtivist’.

AH: What’s your top styling tip for Christmas decorating?

YB: Use a limited colour palette for decorations e.g. 2 – 3 major colours.

AH: Do you have any preferred Christmas colour combinations? 

YB: Silver and blue for the winter feel or gold and magenta for a more warm Christmas atmosphere.

Left to right: Winterland Tree Candle and Silver Leaf Garland, both John Lewis; Harris and Tear silver baubles from Habitat; Reindeer Candleholders from Crate & Barrel; Noma Lites blue spruce tree from Selfridges

AH: What Christmas products have caught your eye this year?

YB: I’m really excited to share the new Christmas chocolate boxes from Godiva that I designed this year.  This is my first packaging project and I’m looking forward to giving these boxes to my friends and relatives.

AH: Can you share with our international Trends Blog readers what you’ll be doing to celebrate the festive season this year?

YB: This is going to be our first family celebration with my little kids (one is 2 years and another is just 7 months), should be fun.

Also liking to keep things simple is Enrico Zanolla, Designer of the Ruski and Ruski Twist lights which also feature within our A/W 2013/14 forecast.

AH: What’s your top styling tip for Christmas decorating?

EZ: I suggest to keep it simple, not too much colours and decoration, choose a palette and go with it.  There is nothing worse than a carnival of colours for Christmas.

AH: Do you have any preferred Christmas colour combinations?

EZ: I keep white as a ‘must’ colour, enriched with gold and silver details.

AH: What Christmas products have caught your eye this year?

EZ: I bought this birch bark votive with candle (below); natural, simple, and evoking emotions as Christmas should be.  For the tree I would suggest these amazing Christmas baubles, pure as if made from a snow flake.  Love it!

Birch Bark Votives from Nordic House; Sarjaton Bauble from Connox by Iittala

AH: Can you share with our international Trends Blog readers what you’ll be doing to celebrate the festive season this year?

EZ: I like spending time with family and relatives, living the atmosphere as I was used to as a child.  Then taking some days off to enjoy the mountains not far away and skiing.

Skiing on Christmas Day!  I love that!

Next up, from the Faroe Islands, is Jorun Hognesen, Designer of the knitted floor boulders.

AH: What’s your top styling tip for Christmas decorating?

JH: A styling tip for Christmas is not something I would consider relevant, or it is not something that I think about.  I prefer the old fashion way, like it is when you are a child and you become excited for this time of year.  To bring back those memories and this excitement every year is important for me.  It is all about the experience, home made Christmas cookies, Christmas music; relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere around.  But most of all, a lot of attention to my nieces, I love to see the excitement in their eyes, it makes me remember those moments, how it felt to be this excited as a child.  So doing things from a child’s perspective and keeping things simple I would say is my tip.

AH: Do you have any preferred Christmas colour combinations? 

JH: The mix of colours that represent Christmas for me are white, gold, red, and green.  These warm colours provide a good contrast to the cold weather.  I would never go for colour combinations such as blue, purple, and pink as for me these are not Christmas colours.

Clockwise from top left: Pinas Oro Wreath from Zara Home; Pearl Garland from Selfridges; PomPom Wreath from John Lewis; Log Cabin Wreath from M&S

AH: What Christmas products have caught your eye this year?

JH: Again this is not something that I look for.  I tend to mix whatever I like, somehow this doesn’t end up messy!  I do however notice clear chandeliers every year.  I think it is highly essential at this time of year, especially in my country when it is very dark and this keeps things very cosy.

AH: Can you share with our international Trends Blog readers what you’ll be doing to celebrate the festive season this year?

JH: So far in my life I have always done the same for Christmas: I have lived abroad for many years but always been in my home country for this time of year.  I believe there is no better place to be during Christmas and most of all, being around family is important for me.  Having moved back to my home country does seem weird now, as the excitement of going home for Christmas is not the case anymore. 

It sounds like you have a lovely, family orientated Christmas Jorun!

Now, from Europe we head over to Interior Designer Simon Scott, basking in the glorious Australian summer.

AH: What’s your top styling tip for Christmas decorating?

SS: I believe the best way to bring the spirit of Christmas to your home is to create a space that is romantically traditional.  I love to have a real Christmas tree set with only sparkling red ornaments and an angel, which is very classy.  Toned down lighting around the Christmas table will add charm to the space, while sparkling silver glistening in candlelight and small floral arrangements will add a touch of glamour.  Adorning the table with personalised name cards adds a formal approach and builds excitement for the special event to come.

Top to bottom: Connie glass bauble from Habitat; Gisela Graham flocked bauble, antique bauble and Ruby Jewel Baubles (set of four) all from Heals; Harris Red bauble from Habitat. Gisela Graham Angel Tree Topper from Liberty London

AH: Where will you be shopping for Christmas products this year?

SS: I like to spend a Sunday morning at a local Antiques shop, or while on holiday visit a local market such as the street furniture market in Cannes, France, and find something special to add to the Christmas dinner table!

AH: Do you have any preferred Christmas colour combinations? 

SS: For a more sophisticated look I love to work with dark red and dark green accents around the table with antique white crockery, sparkling silver and crystal wine glasses.  A table setting that is always romantic, traditional, and shows the spirit of Christmas!

AH: Can you share with our international Trends Blog readers what you’ll be doing to celebrate the festive season this year?

SS: I always spend Christmas Day on the surf coast of Victoria, on the Great Ocean Road, a one hour drive from Melbourne.  After lunch we head to Bells Beach to watch the surf roll in and have a hit of cricket in the sand.  Christmas night is enjoyed with friends in Melbourne, and is always made very special with Judith Durham singing a few Christmas Carols on the grand piano.

♥

Many thanks to all of todays contributors, I hope all you readers are feeling as inspired as I am!  Before I sign off for a Christmas tipple, just enough time to share with you my decoration choices for this year.  I’ve always been fascinated with the Eastern origin side of Christmas, and so this year I’ve really gone with the theme after finding a superb range of products on the high street.

Dinnerware: Odette 24 Piece gold cutlery set and gold cake slice from Pied A Terre at House of Fraser; Flora wine and champagne glasses from Habitat

Decorations: Connie purple bauble and Tear onion bauble both from Habitat; Bird of Paradise decoration and Decadence bauble from House of Fraser