FOR SOME PEOPLE, a tree, a string of lights and some baubles is the height of their Christmas decoration game. For others, kitting out their home for the festive season is a task that takes weeks of preparation.
From extra foliage and fairy lights to tree decorations full of memories, Christmas is a time when minimalism truly goes out the window.
So how are Irish homes looking this December 25th? We asked eight interior design fans around Ireland to share their festive living rooms – the inspiration, the themes and the final result. Here’s a look…
A simple but stunning mantelpiece, from Carmel of @doxyinterior:
“I wanted the décor on my mantlepiece to look simple and elegant, so it wouldn’t overpower the room, seeing as the Christmas tree will sit beside the fireplace. For Christmas, I open up the double glass doors that link this sitting room to the front room. This is essential, so the tree can be seen from both rooms and it cuts down on the need to go overboard with the decorating. However, I still put a large garland on the front room mantelpiece – this compensates for not having a tree when the doors are closed over.”
A trailing ivy garland, from Maggie of @wisteriatreehouse:
“I wanted to keep the decorations simple in our drawing room, so I used trailing ivy from the garden to surround the foxed mirror along with sprigs of berried holly. Instead of a garland on the mantle, I added a wreath of holly, ivy and mistletoe, with two brass candlesticks on either side. The rest of the room will be decorated with holly, ivy and fairy lights. We are hosting a big family Christmas this year, so the house will be full of people. The fires will be roaring in each room and the kids will be full of excitement.”
A magnificent mix of faux and real garlands, from Magda of @myhome_my_way:
“Every year, we decorate our house for Christmas by the end of November or in early December. It gives us the chance to really enjoy the decorations. This year, I’m using faux garlands all over the house. I mix them with lots of green branches as it makes them look fuller and more natural. I’ve added pine cones and dried branches that I sprayed in white and gold. The tree is mainly decorated with baubles the kids choose each year. I will add some more decorations in natural colours along with glass, gold and silver. With all of the decorations and fairy lights, our home feels so warm and cosy at this time of year. Add a real fire, a warm blanket and a big mug of hot chocolate and this room makes for the perfect night in.”
Fairy lights for a wow factor, from Wioleta of @wioleta_kelly:
“I wanted our living room to be cosy and soothing, and make sure it’s the perfect place to relax. A deep and a very comfortable sofa is a must all year around, but Christmas is a perfect occasion to make this space even more warm and inviting. I always make sure to use a lot of fairy lights, scented candles, cushions and blankets. It achieves that Christmassy ‘wow factor’ instantly.”
Traditional red, green and gold, from Ruth of @house_of_goose_studio:
“My Christmas style tends to lean toward the more traditional. I love red, gold and green; you just can’t beat these colours. However, I do change things up a little, every year. I still use all of my old decorations, but I’ll add some new pieces every Christmas. This year, I’ve really indulged in foliage. Most of it is from my parent’s garden or our own garden. I’ve mixed it with some faux foliage that I can use again throughout the year. On this mantelpiece, I went wild with the off cuts of our Christmas tree and added some dried and dyed eucalyptus to give an extra festive feel. Then, I added the all white cotton ball lights from Nook Home to give it a more contemporary look. The kids love them!”
A neutral palette for Christmas, from Jennifer of @renovating_corahouse:
“I love to create a modern polished look throughout our home, while embracing the beautiful original features that a period home has to offer. My style is all about clean lines, timeless, elegant décor and beautiful accessories. I love a neutral palate and our Christmas décor reflects this. As we have just finished the renovation of the original house, we will be looking forward to hosting family over the holiday season.”
Soft pastel pinks – even on the tree, from Eniko of @mydarkhome_:
“In the past, I would have described my style as moody maximalist, but it has changed so much in the last few months that I don’t think that applies any longer. I love a bit of everything and every room in the house has a different style. The living room is quite feminine and chic and that’s why I chose the soft pastel colours for the Christmas tree. All the decor is from Marks and Spencer.”
Ornaments from decades past, from Lorraine of @lorraine.oconnor.5686:
“My taste at Christmas is always warm, comforting and welcoming – very traditional, I suppose. The tree is full of decorations from past Christmases past. The oldest decoration is over 70 years old. Every year, as I unwrap them, the memories of who bought them for me or the places I’ve visited come flooding back. It’s like a memory tree. I lost my mum this year, so it will be a sad time for us. But, we will keep her memory alive and make some new memories, too.”
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