Getting Naturally Festive
This festive season we have gone back to nature, and chucked out the bling. Earthy colours and nature's bounty are the way forward for seasonal decor in 2010.
Traditionally, the festive season is a feast of colour, with gold, red and green glittering and sparkling gaudily from every available spot. In fact, it's beena case of the more conspicuous, the better.
This year, however, it is all about getting back to nature and making your home's entrance a quiet and more refined haven of welcome. We've thrown out the glitter and glam, ditched the baubles, tinsel and flashing fairy lights and turned to the environment and Mother Nature for inspiration.
Think gorgeous swags of green, muted browns and creams, pine cones, snowy white flowers against dark viridian foliage, rustic twigs and woven baskets. Add to this tall creamy pillar candles in glass vases, and a snowy white entrance carpet and you have a dream winter wonderland setting.
For a different, more contemporary look,we've kept it simple, but effective. Three identical wreaths adorn a magnificent doorway, with muted silver baubles hungin a symmetrical pattern.
Although here we have used wreaths in modern colours and materials, a traditional red and green group of wreaths would be equally appropriate. Team these up with spray-painted pine cones in matt silver or gold if you havea large wooden door, or leave them au naturel if your door is a pale colour. Swags of greenery in the form of ivy or pine branches would also work well with this look, and the good newsis that these are available from several florists in Dubai.
Top this off with two large lanterns and an assortment of small candles casting delicate pools of light, and you'll have an entrance way to be proud of.
THE One 04 345 6687, IKEA 04 203 7555, Sia 04 339 8599, Flamant 04 341 3533, Zara Home 04 341 4184, Irony Home 04 434 0166, Hanne Gokstad 050 541 7504
