Seasonal Style Secrets: Alexander James Interior Design shares the secrets behind this season’s most stylish Christmas homes
- UK families spend £2.3 billion on Christmas decorations (Go Compare)
- Quirky, tropical touches will give this festive season a contemporary new vibe
- Soft, reflective metallic hues and twinkling lights to bring the Christmas magic to life
UK households spend a staggering £2.3 billion each year on Christmas trees, decorations and trips to the pantomime, according to Go Compare. With so much being spent on Christmas décor, it’s no wonder that our festive displays seem to be getting more stylish each year.
Creating the perfect setting within the home is a wonderful way to bring alive the Christmas magic and get into the festive mood. As such, the expert team at Alexander James Interior Design have shared their top tips for making this Christmas the most stylish one yet.
“This Christmas, many are going against tradition for a tropical, contemporary look. No longer confined to the summer months, we’re seeing tropical touches being given a sophisticated twist for the winter season. The 2017 Christmas style definitely has a playful edge – it’s about capturing the joy of Christmas and having fun in new ways, while also delivering an elegant overall look.”
Stacey Sibley, Creative Director, Alexander James Interior Design
Stylish tropical touches this Christmas include beautifully woven peacock feather and palm leaf wreaths and stunning centre pieces featuring metallic pineapples and cream and white tropical flowers. Harrods is featuring quirky, parrot-inspired Christmas tree decorations, Selfridges is all about the pineapples, while Liberty has opted for a fan-tailed peacock offering. It’s all about mixing vibrant colours tastefully with more traditional Christmas tones.
Metallics will also be big news this Christmas, with new twists added to the traditional bright silver and gold hues. Stylish, contemporary touches include warm, soft, reflective metallics in copper, brass and rose gold, to provide a sophisticated glow and add an element of understated luxury. Copper has been popular in interiors over the summer, thanks to its versatility. It can be teamed with a clock colour or with organic materials such as wood to create a variety of feels, from Scandinavian luxury to mid-century cool. Now, that versatility is being carried through to the festive season, with metallic baubles providing the perfect contrast the earthy, organic tones of Christmas trees.
As ever, the perfect lighting is also key to creating a magical Christmas ambience. Far from being limited to the Christmas tree, this year lighting will feature throughout the home, from garlands to tumbling showers of LED lights to table centre pieces. If it’s not sparkling delicately, it should be! Anything from a pile of gifts to a simple tree branch can be brought to life with the right lighting. Understated twinkles spread throughout the home can create a truly stunning overall impact.
Candles, naturally, should form part of the Christmas décor, with stunning glass and metallic lanterns adding to the overall sophistication of this year’s style.
“The finishing festive décor touch this Christmas is the wreath. No longer restricted to the front door, we’ll be seeing wreaths adorn the home in a variety of ways. Contemporary elegance can come in the form of real branches interwoven with LED lights, or more modern wreaths made of twisted wire with tiny twinkles throughout. Once more, we’re seeing metallic come into play, bringing modern elegance to this Christmas tradition.”
Robert Walker, Managing Director, Alexander James Interior Design
With the home interior looking perfectly stylish, all that remains to be done is to give it the ideal festive scent. The White Company’s Winter Botanical Large Pillar Candle ffers a generous infusion of cinnamon sticks, orange slices and red berries, while Jo Malone has opted for fragranced Christmas tree decorations in both Pomegranate Noir and Pine and Eucalyptus. The White Company’s sweet almond blossom, frankincense, neroli and honeysuckle diffuser also captures the spirit of the season perfectly.
Decorating for Christmas is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for the festive season. With these styling tips in mind, every home can create a stunning, elegant Christmas ambience that brings the magic of the season alive.
For more information, visit Alexander James Interior Design at www.aji.co.uk or call 020 7887 7604.