ARTICLE - Styling for Christmas

Christmas - one of the nicest times of the year, a time for getting friends and family together. But one of the most often question I get asked is just how to create a gorgeous looking home that is welcoming, cosy and festive - without it looking tacky and messy? Here are a few ideas that should help along the way. If you have any more ideas I would LOVE to hear about them. I wish you a very happy Christmas and a great 2012!

• Pick a colour scheme to unify your home - either to match your decor or to contrast with it
• 2 or 3 colours maximum gives the most impact in a scheme - using 1 colour predominantly and the other 2 as accents (swapping the balance of the colours from room to room works really well too)
• Pick which rooms you will decorate - you don't have to go overboard - less is sometimes much more!
• If you have children get them involved, christmas is for them so style for them - rules are out the window when children are involved! (some families have a family tree that the children decorate and a more showy tree for the adults!)
• White lights makes all schemes look stunning
• Make your home feel welcoming on dark nights (for you and for guests) by having lights outside (set a timer so you return to a welcoming home)
• The in season colours and trends for Christmas 2011 are whites/silvers (winter wonderland), shabby chic styling and old fashioned items, and the bolds from the summer are still in! be creative as there is something for every home.

•  Christmas trees look amazing purely decorated with as many baubles as you can fit - beautiful!
• Cards and how to display them can be a nightmare, I particularly love a simple ilne of ribbon with cards pinned onto it, down the front and back of doors. Think about displaying the more personal cards in a more prominent position like the mantlepeice or a sideboard
• Think not only about the aesthetics but also the ambience - lighting, scented candles etc.... all create that christmas feel. The smell of eucalyptus leaves is magical (weave them around the bannister), even a real christmas tree and its smell will feel more christmassy and cosy.
• A stunning wreath will set the scene for the rest of the house and be welcoming at the front door
• Put your christmas tree where you and your family will enjoy it the most - this doesn't necessarily mean in the front window (you want to get the feel from it more than passers by!)
• Presents wrapped beautifully can really make a tree spring to life - tie in the wrapping paper colour with your decor - I personally love brown paper with silver or gold ribbon and brown paper luggage tags - simple yet stunning
• Think of creating cosiness - throws, cushions, blankets and thick curtains all add to the effect (you could have specific ones that are purely bought out at this time of year to make them extra special!)
• Traditional colours i.e. deep reds and greens will instantly make it feel more festive
• Christmas means that you can really express your personality - go wild!! This is great fun if you live the rest of the year in a more neutrally decorated home
• Make a feature of the dining table - using unusual centre peices, and keeping to the christmas colour scheme from your decorations. I particularly love this vase / hurricane lamp from Laura Ashley as it could be filled with some battery operated lights (The white company do great battery operated ones), or a load of baubles look stunning and is easy!