Un-Deck the Halls in Style
You’ve just finished taking down the tree and folded away the Christmas stockings. Most of us will spend the weekend packing away all the beautiful baubles and gorgeous garlands that have dressed our homes since December, feeling sad to see all our little Christmas treasures being tucked away for another year… I sat and wondered today, what kind of decorations could be used in our homes for winter? Nothing that screams Christmas, but something but cozy enough to fill the house with warmth to get you through the chill of the winter. Here are a few ideas to try…
Decorate a Mantlepiece
The mantlepiece is often the focal point of our living room, and I love decorating mine for Christmas, but once we take down the stockings and the garlands, it can look completely bare and just a little bit depressing. Here, antique style books in neutral tones add warmth, while the iron birdcages (which can be found at shops such as the Range or Dunhelm) can be filled with candles. Fill ceramic jugs of different sizes with greenery from the garden to freshen your room and bring the outside in. The addition of a mirror captures the extra light on winter days. Proving wreaths are for life and just for Christmas, this one inn natural tones works beautifully positioned in the centre of the mirror.
Alternative Christmas Tree
Who says we can’t enjoy a tree after Christmas? Cut smaller branches from the garden, pop them into a pretty glass vase and dress your twig tree with items that say “winter” – instead of “Christmas”. Pretty jewelled glass Christmas tree trinkets can be re-purposed rather beautifully. A gold mirror adds a touch of metallic magic, as do the little silver voties, also left over from Christmas.
Twig branch decorated with jewelled decorations
Christmas Lights
The twinkle of Christmas tree lights and their soft glow on a cold winter night is one of the things I hate saying goodbye to most… I love this lovely, large heart made from reclaimed pallet wood which adds texture. String it with fairly lights to prolong that festive twinkle during the winter months…
Fairy Lights should fill our homes all year round…
Add a different type of Greenery
We are all familiar with Christmas pointsettas, pine cones and garlands to liven up pur homes during the festive season… After the greenery of Christmas is removed, try adding other living plants. A personal favorite of mine at this time of year are bulbs. Beautiful, vibrant, and a different shade of green! Here, tulip bulbs are planted in a rustic, wooden bowl filled with moss, providing a stunning centre piece for a winter dining table
And, if you can’t bear to say goodbye to your pine branches and pine cones, use greenery in an alternative way, in an entrance hall, to echo a festive welcome. Here reindeer ornaments used at Christmas time, create the perfect console display…
Candlelight
There is something about candles that can change the mood of a room. They are such an inexpensive way to transform the feel of any part of your home and can help you go from Christmas lights to winter twilight in no time at all. Here, a silver drinks tray and a variety of glasses filled with tea lights creates a magical winter display…
Candlelight Cocktail anyone?
Cosy Throws
And finally, if the post-Christmas decor blues become too much – cosy up by the fire with a snug throw, a glass of wine and a good book. Remember, spring is just around the corner…
The weather outside is frightful,but snuggling on the sofa with a soft throw is truly delightful…
