Stars - The Fortum & Mason Central Atrium Display
Where do you look to see what is trending this Christmas? There was a time when that was an easy question to answer. Our trends were set by retail and potentially, their trends set by fashion and design. These days a trend more often than not arises from social media, leaving the retail sector to catch up. A make, a DIY project or a scheme someone has created that gets copied, enhanced, liked and suddenly we’re all doing it as if we always have been. This year, I have taken some time to see what retail has to offer and pull from the very diverse range of displays they provide a few trends that might just make an interesting Christmas look or five. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating buying a whole new set of decorations each year to keep up with a trend, but as many of us do, I like to add a decoration or two to my collection each year, be it made or bought, that changes the feel of a scheme.
1. Black and White
An Oversized Black & White Bauble in Harrods
Not always an easy look to imagine being festive but if paired with red and or green as a supporting colour or with plenty of silver or gold to give opulence, this look could be spectacular. It turns out there are plenty of black and white baubles on the market and of course black (or white come to that) faux Christmas trees have been around for years now. I rather like the thought of oversized baubles, checked wrapping paper with red ribbons or a very large dried and faux flower display in the hallway.
Black and white lends itself to the chequer board and would make a very dramatic Christmas table. Think the Queen’s Gambit with lashings of glamorous 60s influence. Oversized chess pieces would look amazing, but the drama could be in the choice centre piece with dark foliage with white dried flowers or grasses. Black napkins on white plates, perhaps with silver charger plates; silver or white little baubles on the place setting. Dramatic candelabras. Paper, or black and white sprayed little Christmas trees dotted down the table. High drama indeed and certainly an evening scheme – just imagine with warm white lights (never be tempted by cold lights, far too unflattering for all) and sparkly sequins.
Adding Red to the Black & White Scheme Softens the Look
- Fortnum & Mason Window Display
For a more child friendly scheme, introducing a bit of rich red makes me think more 101 Dalmations. There are plenty of animal prints out there and animal baubles are having a bit of a thing in the shops. Adding the red softens the scheme and makes it more Christmas day. Animal print or spotty mats or napkins with red table candles. Plenty of silver foliage and red berries to warm the look.
If a theme is your thing, then this is one to try.
2. Hot Air Balloons
Giant Hot Air Balloon in LIberty London Atrium
Liberty London have rather embraced this idea with a huge hot air balloon filling their central atrium. I found hot air balloon baubles in many of the shops this year. Their shape lends itself of course but I think there’s something rather whimsical and lovely about a tree covered in glass hot air balloon baubles. Dreams of gentle travel and bygone times. I think this theme could be really developed into something special with rich velvet ribbons (symbolising the balloon stays), brightly coloured silk scarfs and baskets overflowing with sweets, presents or just more baubles. A delicious and brightly coloured scheme.
I love an idea that can be taken into any colour and adapted to use much of what you already have. Adding a few actual balloon baubles may be all you needed to tie a look together. Being more of an air theme, I would avoid heavy foliage with this look. Light an airy is the feel here. I’m thinking simple string, metal or ribbon garlands with little balloon baubles hanging intermittently or perhaps from a simple hanging branch or plain white, bare branched tree. If you want to use natural foliage, perhaps eucalyptus, a few grass heads nothing too weighty or heavy, something with natural movement if you can.
There needs to be a feeling of lightness I think to make the scheme work. Glass being see through would work well on the table; brightly coloured napkins and plates to resemble the vibrant balloon silks. Little baskets with nibbles on the table and brightly coloured candles and candlesticks to complete the look.
3. Blue
Quirky Shop Front Display in Picadilly, London
I’ve been keeping my eye on the use of blue at Christmas for a few years now. I think it’s been a creeper probably starting with a rather washed-out, ice-cold blue tone. Certainly, it’s nothing new and there has been many a paper bauble display in blue seen on Instagram. I love blue and would always identify it as my favourite colour but at Christmas, if can be tricky to place. This year, I am loving it in combination with a deep red. Rich, almost navy blues as ribbons and baubles. Deep coloured, heavy fabrics such as tapestry, heavy felt or velvet. I think it has a very opulent feel that can fit well to a sophisticated, grown up and luxurious Christmas theme.
It's easy to imagine a table setting using the red and blue together. I think they look particularly good with glassware and silver or gold (or even both) accents. Adding a quirky object would bring depth to the scheme, I love the idea of a top hat (in red or blue of course) but that would be a lucky vintage find. There are still plenty of heavily beaded ornaments about such as birds, pheasants or peacocks and maybe these could work. Personally, I would prefer to bring out the opulence in a large floral display, roses (although these certainly won’t be locally grown so consider the airmiles and go for high quality faux), amaryllis (these last surprisingly well as cut flowers, saving a messy bulb and pot on the table) and plenty of berries and messy twigs.
Glass Baubles Hung with Luxurious Blue Velvet Ribbon at Burford Garden Company
Adding dark blue and red to the traditional garlands would work well I think and therefore I think this look works well with natural foliage and foraged bits from the garden. It would also look well together with bronze or copper metals, even rusty metals if that’s a look you’ve been collecting this last couple of years. Very versatile in fact.
4. Glass
Branch with Hanging Glass Baubles and Velvet Ribbons; Burford Garden Company
Not a colour so of course goes with all the looks I’ve described here. Glass is everywhere this Christmas, even more so than last year, if that’s possible. Clear glass baubles, glass baubles with white patterns in or on them, coloured glass. It’s all lovely. I’m a big fan of stained glass and if you can get your glass baubles backlit either by the sun, candlelight or sparkly lights, it’s a winner for me.
There needs to be consideration given to how the glass is hung, if you’re using it on a tree. The trouble with faux trees is often baubles and decorations are more laid on that hung from. The branches are tightly packed and getting a back lit glass opportunity can be very tricky. Not so on a real tree or a hanging branch or twig tree though. I think it’s important to consider the opulence of using a glass bauble when choosing your hanging mechanism too. They are expensive to buy, heavy to hang and are likely to be used more sparsely. Therefore, I think it is appropriate to make a statement in their hanging device. No plastic hook here. A thin velvet ribbon, of suitable colour for your theme is the perfect hanging material. Lengths can be varied to add interest and to provide a choice of position when decorating – having everything hung at the same height is not pleasing to the eye. On a practical note, the ribbon is robust and will ensure your bauble is safe but, do tie it carefully.
A table full of glass looks amazing by candlelight. I have a set of beautiful, crackled glass bells that I have been using for a couple of years on my Christmas table. They’re very tricky to photograph well, but as the lights twinkle and the candles burn, they look spectacular. Glass will go with any colour choices for the table but looks particularly effective with silver and gold, anything that helps reflect the lights. For a very sparkly look, use a white cloth as dark colours absorb the light and will reduce your sparkle effect.
Crackled Glass & Green - Last Year's Christmas Table
I rather like the idea that these glass ornaments, if we keep them safely, will ultimately become the vintage decorations of tomorrow. They’re not cheap and like the coloured glass baubles of the fifties, are likely to be cherished all the more for it. Using glass brings an opulence and richness without the dark colour of a heavy object. Perfect for a luxurious look.
Let the Glass be the Beauty - Reminiscent of Boiled Sweets: Burford Garden Company
5. Ice Cream Colours
Oversized Macarons in Pastel Colours: Fortnum & Mason
Pastels for Christmas have been around for quite some time now. This year though, I have seen them used as perhaps they should be – the sweet shop. Yes, it is rather twee and certainly not everyone’s cup of tea but taking our love of the old-fashioned sweet shop and the re-emergence of afternoon tea, this seems a natural extension. Banish thoughts of the frosted pastel ice palace, the sweet shop is where it is at for pastels this year.
Something I love to do in London and many European cities is visit the macaron shop. I enjoy eating them but perhaps not as much as I do looking at them and marvelling at the colours and flavours. I’ve not tried making macarons, I’ve heard they are tricky to make but, this would certainly be the year to do so. They make for a fabulous gift and bringing out a box or two at Christmas is a lovely thought. I was particularly surprised to see giant faux macarons hanging from a tree in Fortnum & Mason. I think they were using it as part of a Mad Hatter’s tea party theme, a choice more associated with Easter perhaps. It was the statement scale piece and something that kept me thinking. Christmas tree decorations are often of a relatively similar size, but who is to say we cannot over size our decorations to make a statement. It would probably only take three of these on a six-foot tree to complete the look. Perhaps they could even be baked, made from cardboard or repurposed polystyrene packaging.
Sweet Toothed Tablescape: Liberty London
It wasn’t until I visited Liberty London and saw one of their Christmas tablescape ideas that I recognised a potential trend though. Instagram has many an account with bright and pastel colours dominating their interior. We have seen pastel decorations for a long time and pastel pink is everywhere this year as the high street retail indulges the pale pink trend of the last few years to the maximum. The twist we are looking for then is sweet shop. The combinations and possibilities for this theme are endless. I’m thinking glass sweets to catch the light, sugared almonds, smarties and the marshmallow style candlesticks have got to be a favourite. If you think you can resist, and pets and small children are not a problem, you could use the actual sweets as decorations if that’s not for you, then the potential for making your own decorations and painting in an array of tester pots is endless (and possibly just an extension of what we have been seeing in pumpkin trends on Instagram in the last couple of years).
I have to say, this is not a trend for me. I’m not a lover of pastel colours for my home or in my wardrobe. I even prefer bright flowers in the garden. But I am willing to concede that there’s scope for this theme for those with the imagination to carry it through.