Interior Style

AC Homestore’s Alex Walls shares her rustic Christmas style

Article by Your Home and Garden

Alex says goodbye to one set of Christmas traditions (and decorations) and shows us how she’s investing some new ones this year with the help of a clever local ceramicist

AC Homestore’s Alex Walls shares her rustic Christmas style

For me, Christmas is going to be a bit different this year – the family home I grew up in was recently sold and our annual family dinner is up for a rethink. It’s sad to see this tradition come to an end but, on the bright side, it means our family has an opportunity to start afresh and create a new way of doing Christmas.

I can’t say I’m sad to say goodbye to Mum’s favourite purple decorations! Instead, a lighter, brighter palette of gold, yellow and fresh green will adorn this year’s table. I’m also steering away from the customary huge Christmas tree and instead bringing in some festive wall hangings, such as these two lovely gold paper wreaths entwined with a faux olive branch.

We’re not abandoning tradition altogether, though – we’ll still be enjoying all our favourite Christmas food but this time served in bowls handmade by our friend Yon from Claybird Ceramics. We’ve also collaborated with Yon on some special tree ornaments, which add a beautiful, handmade touch to our festive table.

Finally, as a nice personal touch, I’ll be placing a beautifully wrapped gift of chocolates on each table setting. Who said present-opening can’t last the whole day?

Shop the look

Wall painted in Dulux ‘Waiau Bay’.
Gold paper wreaths, $49.99 each.
Faux olive stem, $9.99.
Vaasa oak dining table, from $1699.99.
Vaasa oak bench seat, from $659.99.
Leather dining chairs, $499.99 each.
Outdoor rug, $699.99.
Mini Christmas tree, $49.99.
Terracotta pot, $19.99.
A&C x Claybird Ceramics Christmas ornaments, $12.99 each.
Placemats, $16.99 each.
Serveware by Claybird Ceramics, from $24.99.
Serving dish (with roast), $79.99.
Large bowl, $69.99.
Brass salad servers, $49.99.
Stainless-steel cutlery set, $389.99.
Olive napkin, $39.99 set of 4.
Pale napkin (on chair), $16.99.
Linen tablecloth, $89.99.
Cedar garland (on table), $159.99.
Elm platter board, $74.99.
Red wine glasses, $34.99 each.
Leather coasters, $36.99 set of 6.
Battery-run candle set, $59.99.
All from A&C Homestore.