A white Christmas: the New Zealand way

On-trend this year in interior design is the popular tropical theme, a mix of metallics, and soft pastels. In the realm of festive decorations, these themes are carrying through, as well as the understated simplicity of Nordic-inspired style. There's a lot of white, yes, but it's also green

(the Pantone colour of the year for 2017), natural and inspired by what’s around us – by the season, by summer and by our environs.

“We are in New Zealand, and particularly this summer with the heat, it’s a really warm time of year so people don’t necessarily want that traditional heavy meal or the traditional decorations either,” D for Design’s Sandra Aiken says.

“Here, it’s about celebrating nature and what’s around us, making things easy to do at home or away, and there are lots of ways to do that without going to too much expense. While you can often create a lot simply from the garden or with seasonal plants such as magnolia leaves, branches from olive trees, potted hydrangeas or fresh herbs, which are all sensuous ways to add colour and natural flair to a festive theme and gorgeous table setting.

“Fresh leaves from the garden spread around hurricane lamps is a beautifully simple thing to do that’s really effective, and combining this with mixed metallics will add a bit of glamour."

Within the tropical theme du jour it’s all about tropical plants and objects. “Having gorgeous tropical plants in and around the house such as date and cascade palms and indoor kentia palms and monstera plants in woven baskets along with tropical-inspired wallpapers, fabrics, soft furnishings and botanical prints creates a unique tropical aesthetic,” Sandra says.

To create an idyllic tropical Kiwi Christmas smaller palms or peace lilies can be used as beautiful table decorations, while monstera leaves can be used in vases or as table decorations such as placemats or table runners. Candles mixed amongst large shells and coral are all items that create a tropical theme.
The other ongoing trending theme is Scandinavian-inspired decor, which for Christmas decorating means understated simplicity created with natural materials. “We’re seeing pared back Christmas trees made of driftwood, recycled wood and plywood, and decorations made from wood and paper. Smaller wire trees and green trees in tins simply decorated with lights only are very Scandinavian. Ceramic votives and little houses lit by tea lights have been seen for a few years now but continue to be favoured table decorations.”

“Lighter pastel colours are on-trend at the moment with lots of aqua and whites in Christmas decorations,” Sandra says. “Combining those with items collected from the beach creates a lovely festive coastal aesthetic. Hurricane lamps filled with sand and driftwood combined with aqua and white decorations, shells, starfish, coral and coastal succulents which, when combined with a bit of creativity can make great table decorations."

As Sandra sees it, Christmas and the holiday season is about enjoying time off, the outdoors, spending time with family, and making things simple, including the decorations in your home.

D for Design specialises in developing timeless, elegant and sophisticated designs where relaxation, comfort and functionality flow throughout.

Visit D for Design on ArchiPro here for some festive styling inspiration this Christmas.

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