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Themes and Decorating Your Space

ChristmasWorld
11 years ago

Christmas decorating got you down? Not sure where to start? Not to worry- the easiest way to do the Christmas decor is to work with a theme. A theme will help you define your style and narrow down your decorating options. It can be anything you want, but of course, there are a few favourites. Check out these "oldies-but-goodies" and get the inspiration flowing!

Colour Play
Colour is the easiest theme to work with. In fact, its often the catalyst that leads you to a larger theme. Red, white, and green leads you to traditional; white, silver, and blue leads you to winter. In both of these colour palettes, you have two colours that complement each other, and one that serves as an accent or unifier. White unifies red and green; blue accents white and silver. This is why it's a good idea to choose three colours to work with instead of two. The third colour sets off the other two. Other common colour combinations include white, green, and brown for a rustic theme or gold, silver, and a neutral (grey, white, black, champagne) for a modern look. For something bold and festive, however, why not go all out with a multicolour theme in bright, rich hues? Nothing says "celebration" like an explosion of colour.

Traditional Christmas
Traditional Christmas is built around the idea of being warm and snug during the cold winter months. Your palette should reflect the classic Christmas colours: red, green, and white. For lights, stick with simple, white fairy lights (LEDs for an energy efficient option). Avoid the kitschy novelty lights or over-the-top motifs; they're not really appropriate for this style. What is appropriate is lots of greenery: mistletoe balls, evergreen garlands, and wreaths in every window. Table top trees with candles make great centrepieces, as do frosted pinecones in a hurricane vase. For a nice display, create a Christmas village scene or set up classic train set. Choose bright red and green fabric in a plain, plaid, or floral motif to drape on tables and sofas. And don't forget the Christmas-themed pillows! As for the tree, go classic with white lights, tinsel, baubles, and Christmas picks. It doesn't get any more traditional than that!

Modern Christmas
A modern Christmas theme is all about minimalism and incorporating what you already have. A great modern colour palette revolves around shimmering gold and silver, with a neutral like grey, white, black, or champagne to make the shiny metallic finishes pop! If modern is your style then you have to be careful not to overdo the decorations. A silver candelabra, a few artistic cards, and a Christmas greeting in block letters is all you need for a welcoming display. Try to incorporate furniture and items you already have. A single stocking tied to a bar table will have more effect than if you cover it with greenery. As for the tree, a metallic or iridescent white tree will be perfect for your sophisticated home. Decorate it minimally with gold and silver baubles and you're good to go!

Retro Christmas
Retro Christmas is about capturing that great mid-century modern style. And that means tinsel everywhere: the tree, the windows, the banister, etc. It also means you can get out the old kitschy novelty lights or over-sized multicolour globes. (Just make sure you get the modern LED versions- safer and more energy efficient). Retro Christmas can work with many different colour palettes. You can use the traditional red, white, and green or play with something different: pink and green, orange and turquoise, even multicolour. A multicolour bauble wreath has great retro flare. Your retro Christmas tree is definitely metallic, with tinsel, colourful lights, and old fashioned Shiny Brites for decoration. Make sure you shop the flea markets and antique shops for vintage signs, prints, and accessories. Also see if you can track down any old-fashioned tin toys; they make a great retro Christmas display.

Winter Wonderland
A Winter Wonderland theme brings the spirit of winter into your home- even if its 35o outside. You should go for a white and silver colour palette, with blue for an accent. This is the perfect theme for icicle lights, snowflakes, and arctic displays. A light-up snowman or polar bear with fake snow makes a great yard display. You can also get snow sprays to "frost" your windows or mirrors. For indoors, a tall white candle in a hurricane vase is a perfect, simple centrepiece. Or you could do an arrangement of bare willow branches in a vase. You can leave them au natural or spray paint them white, and hang them with crystal ornaments for a snow drop effect. As for your Christmas tree, go for a snow-trimmed fir hung with white lights, tinsel, and blue and silver baubles. Your guests will think they've arrived at the North Pole!

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