A Christmas home emphasizes warmth, peace and a festive feel – in other words, genuine and truly meaningful things. Instead of red, try something like festive blue and gold in interior decoration and focus on beautiful details. These ideas will help you create yourself a timeless, beautiful Christmas feel – check out five tips by an interior journalist!
Featured: Iittala's rain blue Ultima Thule set, Skultuna's Karui tray Hakola's dark blue Moon pouf.
1. Try the mystical blue
Dark blue is a surprising color that lifts up the festive spirit. This Christmas, blue glows particularly beautifully in the classic Ultima Thule tableware: it’s been half a century since the creation of Tapio Wirkkala’s iconic series. At the Christmas table, blue looks good paired with other dark colors, such as green. Add brass or some other warm metal to this combination to bring a touch of the mystical side of Christmas to your home.
At the Christmas table, blue looks good paired with other dark colors, such as green.
Featured: Fredericia's The Spanish Chair, Finarte's grey Tie rug, Reeta Ek's Puketti art print, Flos' Taccia table lamp, Marimekko's Liekki and Loimu candleholders. The olive green A805 floor lamp from Artek is a special edition that is available only for a limited time.
2. Less is more
The desired atmosphere is easy to create with just a few elements. Even the Christmas tree doesn’t always need to be covered with baubles and garlands – you could do a subdued decoration using only a few reflecting monochrome glass balls. A string of lights isn’t necessary either. Instead, opt for real candles and build impressive arrangements of candlesticks of different heights and styles around your home.
Featured: Design Letters' black Arne Jacobsen cups, Vitra's Wooden doll 11, Nedre Foss' Bokk botlle opener and Kay Bojesen's Wooden Monkey. The Santa's cap is sold separately.
3. An arrangement hides a surprise
A playful spirit, humor and happy surprises are an essential part of Christmas. Gather small, personal decorative and everyday objects on a table or a console and remember to add in something funny, like Kay Bojesen’s wooden monkey with a Santa's hat on its head. When you invite your close friends over, ask them to pick their favorite, then tell them it is your Christmas gift for them! The recipient will appreciate the present for years to come.
The table is set with Svaale mugs, Räsymatto mugs and Juustomuotti mugs from Marimekko's Oiva collection. The white Ming vase was designed by Carina Seth Andersson.
4. Black, white and odd dishes
A black and white table setting is a timeless and stylish alternative to the traditional red and white. Create the seasonal spirit with a few conifer branches or red apples. You can also make things more interesting and expressive by choosing dishes and cups with different patterns. While the spectrum of colors remains subdued, the eyes will constantly spot interesting details in the table setting, so don’t hesitate to mix and match.
A black and white table setting is a timeless and stylish alternative to the traditional red and white.
Ferm Living's hanging tealight holder is made of brass and looks beautiful with a sprig of eucalyptus.
5. More sensitivity
Simple, unadorned decorations are often the best, and also please the eyes of those for whom the glitter of Christmas is too much. Some objects that create a Christmas feel don’t even seem like decorations. These mind-warmers include plain, modern candlesticks and lanterns with geometric shapes. They will bring joy also after the holiday season.
See also:
• More Christmas decor ideas >
• More Christmas table setting ideas >
Text: Anna Aromaa (Avotakka) Photos: Suvi Kesäläinen and manufacturers