Start with a backdrop of creamy, dreamy white, then layer in rich shades of cafe au lait and burnt toffee to create warmly welcoming festive decor. Complete the easygoing feel with decorations made from dried leaves, flowers and grasses
Sweet treat
Decorating the table for the Christmas feast with family and friends is always a labour of love. Set the stage for a celebration with gleaming crockery, sparkling glassware and plenty of candles.
- Combine cream underplates with bowls in a beautiful burnt-caramel glaze for a table that combines elegance with ease.
- Make your own table napkins from hemp fabric offcuts, tie with natural raffia or cotton ribbon, and tuck in a sprig of dried seed pods for extra tactile appeal.
- Add yet more visual interest by placing candles in multiple glass holders in a variety of sizes and shapes.
Cosy & convivial
Create a comfortable, inviting and easygoing atmosphere around the festive table by layering natural textures – and toasty shades reminiscent of caramel, brown sugar and roasted almonds – over winter whites.
- Use a mix of furniture pieces to add to the casual feel: here, combining a vintage sofa, a mid-century wire chair, a rustic bench, and Panton chairs around a whitewashed wooden table makes for a charmingly eclectic look.
- Replicate the beaded chandelier look seen here by draping an existing light fitting with strings of natural wooden beads, or swathing an everyday pendant in twinkling fairy lights.
A different mood
The textures, forms and sheer delicacy of dried flowers, seed pods and leafy foliage capture the eye and make for a unique take on decor for the festive season.
- Look out for dried flowers and pods, as these often feature bold shapes and create a graphic centrepiece for arrangements, trimmings and wreaths.
- Then, offset their boldness with delicate dried foliage and even bare twigs – all in all, this is a look very much out of floral-design legend Constance Spry’s “use the whole plant” playbook.
Tree time
This eye-catching, space-saving, two-dimensional Christmas tree is made from a series of branches cut to varying lengths, mounted on a sturdy stem and stand, and painted in crisp, snowy white. Layer with strings of unvarnished wooden beads (rather than tinsel) combined with delicate strings of fairy lights, also in plain white, and finish the look by tucking in dried foliage in multiple shades from just-baked biscuit to dark brown sugar.
Layer up
To recreate this two-tone gift wrapping look, encase some presents in several sheets of white tissue paper (or use newsprint) and others in brown craft paper. And don’t forget a simple gift bag or two. Tie them up with hemp twine or cotton ribbon, and finally, tuck in sprigs of dried leaves or a dried flower pod. The added bonus? It’s all readily recyclable – or biodegradable – when the celebrations are complete.
High & dry
An unexpected take on wreaths and floral decorations: use dried and preserved leaves, stems and flowers for a unique festive look.
- Simplicity is key: wreaths made from a single element – such as the circlet of dried leaves seen here – make the strongest statement.
- When working with very fine dried leaf sprigs, use more than one natural shade in the same wreath to create tone-on-tone graphic appeal.
- Find all the tools you need at florist supply stores or garden and hardware outlets online, and wear gardening gloves to protect your hands while making your decorations.
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