The holidays are about friends and family, both old and new. From the neighbours who just moved in next door to the people we have known all our lives, it’s a time to appreciate everyone. That same philosophy can apply to your Christmas decorating — we can display cherished items that have been with us for years, but also add to the collection to make it new and exciting.
Bellissimo, a shop full of household delights both large and small, always has a sparkly, jolly and sophisticated array of holiday items this time of year. A visit to the Agricola Street shop promises lots of smiles and some solid holiday inspiration.
Can’t stop in because you’re pressed for time? No problem, here are some festive decor ideas from Bellissimo’s Natasha Fletcher.
“Like all things design, there are definitely trends each year when it comes to Christmas decor,” explains Fletcher.
“We continue to see lots of inspiration in Christmas decor from nature, whether it be the use of actual items from the outdoors (such as greenery, pinecones, nuts, branches, cinnamon sticks) or simply a colour palette inspired from nature.”
On the other hand, Fletcher also notes there are a lot of jewel tones this year (deep ruby, emerald green or rich amethyst) along with the classics — silver, gold and white.
“When we are planning for the holiday season at Bellissimo we always stick with a mix of classic and vintage and then add in a few of the trends. This year, we have lots of blush and jewel-toned ornaments that we would not have had in prior years.”
As for how to add a new ‘spark’ to your traditional items, it’s easy to breath new life into your own holiday wonderland without sacrificing your personal Christmas decor story.
“It’s the traditional holiday items that everyone owns that have the memories. That is the magic of Christmas,” says Fletcher. “Every year for Christmas I give each of my children a new ornament. One of their favourite parts of the holidays is unwrapping those as we decorate the tree.
“At Bellissimo, we love that our clients have classic pieces that they use over and over. However, if you want a fresh take on your classic holiday look, our advice would be to add a few ornaments each year in a trending colour that complements what you already have, or splurge on one larger piece that will be a focal point and will add a new dimension to your current decorations.”
Fletcher stresses that you should relax and be creative. A simple apothecary jar filled with pine cones or ornaments is simple, cost-effective and beautiful.
“It may even be a case of arranging what you have a new way. Sometimes we are in such a rush, given the time of year, we do the exact same thing as last year. But if you introduce a few new items and change where you place things, it can make a big difference.”
Time always seems to be short, especially during the holidays. For some it may be a good idea to talk to a professional who can help you make decisions and even help decorate.
At Bellissimo they are happy to assist clients transform their space into their holiday dreams.
“This could be as little as spending a few hours using items clients already have and maybe arranging them in a different way, or a bigger project to source the decorations and complete the design,” says Fletcher.
Some of our Christmas items come and go and some become time-honoured family traditions. If we were to purchase new items we wish to stay in our holiday lives for years to come, what would they be? Fletcher has some suggestions.
“Beautiful ornaments that are in classic colours will always fit in with your overall theme, even if it changes over the years. They never go out of fashion,” she says.
“Also, consider those things that will have personal meaning. Stocking holders and stockings that give everyone those sentimental feelings when they come out each year are special items. But we think you also need one show stopper — either a centrepiece, an urn, a vignette on an island — one focal point that people will remember.”
Perhaps even an upside-down Christmas tree, which has been a Bellissimo tradition for 10 years.
