Christmas Riches

Interiors Christmas Decorations 2023
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Christmas Riches

Forget pared-back and minimalist, this Christmas we’re going for all-out opulence with a playful and whimsical twist

Words by Ali Howard

Incorporating non-traditional festive colours, thoughtfully handmade ornaments, tactile textures and a cheeky dash of disco, this is an unapologetically eclectic look – and it is wholly inviting.

 

Christmas Decorations Rose and Grey Christmas Decorations

From crackers to candles, look to Rose & Grey for Christmas table inspiration

Paper Starlight’s white sequinned star lantern, £27.95

Christmas Decorations Cox and Cox Cox & Cox’s Golden Alaskan fir garland, £70

You can create a dynamic tablescape for the big Christmas lunch with a mix of artisanal earthenware, jewel-coloured glasses, gilded cutlery, and an abundance of greenery plucked straight from the back garden. Layer up your Christmas table with all the trappings: placemats, chargers, candles, and a mix of colourful glassware. For added texture and interest, pair ruffled linen napkins with craft-driven, scallop-edged plates, platters, and soup bowls that celebrate the frill. And don’t forget the tablecloth: a bold stripe not only sets the tone as a lively backdrop but recalls traditional candy cane motifs, evoking childhood memories. Look to brands like Matilda Goad, Atelier Raff, and Rose & Grey for the best in stripes and flounces.

Pearl Lowe’s handmade high heeled stockings, £75 Pearl Lowe’s handmade high heeled stockings, £75

Where there’s a surface, there’s an opportunity to ornament, and the mantelpiece is a favourite choice. This is where Christmas garlands come into their own, draped luxuriously over the fireplace. For lush faux winter garlands that successfully mimic the real thing, we love The White Company’s festive offering. Here you’ll find entirely natural looking lengths of foraged winter foliage. But if you’re after something with a little more glitz, Cox & Cox deliver with their golden Alaskan fir garlands and wreaths that bring all the sparkle whilst staying on the right side of gaudy. New for this Christmas are Pearl Lowe’s handmade high heeled stockings. Crafted with reclaimed fabrics including light-catching crushed velvets and gold polka dotted tulle, they offer a fun and feminine take on traditional stockings hung above the fireplace.

Kip&Co’s velvet Santa sacks, £55 Kip&Co’s velvet Santa sacks, £55

If this Christmas is all about rich textures and unexpected colour combinations, Kip&Co’s funky velvet Santa sacks hit all the right notes. Made to mix and match, they come in jade, pink, blue – and the traditional red – and are adorned with handmade pom poms and finished with gold drawstring rope ties. And it’s this hand-crafted aesthetic that brings the real magic. Indeed, craftdriven decorations are getting a fresh look-in this season, with handmade ornaments, beaded garlands, and intricately painted baubles grabbing our attention. These pieces tell a story and lend an authenticity to our Christmas décor that you just don’t get with mass-produced pieces. We love the simple but effective Paper Starlights. Complete with an LED light that shines through the intricate cut-outs, the large star lanterns prove entirely versatile and can be used as a single focal point above the mantelpiece, on top of the tree, or hung in multiples for a striking sculptural look above the Christmas table.

Christmas Decorations Disco ball baubles, from £8 and tinsel fringe garlands, £19.50, all from Rockett St George; John Lewis Rainbow Time Capsule Christmas Baubles, Box of 9, £40

You’ll find all the colours of the rainbow at John Lewis’ Christmas shop, with retro-inspired baubles and decorations that celebrate the colour spectrum whilst paying homage to beloved Christmases of yesteryear. The new Rainbow Time Capsule collection features Jeff Koons’ iconic balloon dogs reimagined as tree decorations; abundant bauble wreaths that blend the pinks with the reds, greens, purples and golds; and multicoloured tinsels complete with foil star motifs that look like they’ve been dug out of the Christmas decorations box from 1990. And while we’re celebrating all things retro, disco stylishly slides its way into our Christmas schemes this season. Rockett St George is a brand you can always rely on for D.I.S.C.O.-inspired homeware. Think oversized mirror balls, lavish fringed tinsel garlands in pink, and ’70s-inspired wine coolers that are decidedly not just for Christmas but prove perfect for sophisticated (but ultimately fun), NYE parties, too.