Now that December is drawing nearer, many people are gearing up to decorate their house for Christmas.
Sometimes, it's hard to know where to begin, and with money often being a worry around the holiday season, many people may get stressed at the idea of having to buy decorations.
However, there's plenty of free decorations that nature can offer us, according to Cashel-based interior designer Máire Hennessy O’Connor.
Read more: Two doctors completely transformed this dated Offaly bungalow into the house of their dreams
The owner of Chic Dwelling Décor advises starting with green as a base colour and working from there.
She also says any decorations should match the current style of your home. “If you have a minimalist, contemporary space with white walls, clean lines and concrete flooring, gold, white and cream tie in well.”
Those in more traditional dwellings such as a country home can lean more toward pairing red with green or gold.
She suggests putting a strong focus on lighting, as it is a simple way of creating a festive feel. “Strip lighting gives the home a nice glow and it’s cheap and cheerful.”
Picking up branches, berries and moss from outside can also elevate your decorations. “I pick loads of fresh moss from outside, dry it out, then place it on a wooden or white tray with a big candle arrangement. You can add some dried berries as well, it can really bring the outside in.”
Máire advises buying a plain green garland for the mantelpiece or stairs, which can be dressed up differently each year. “This way it will match any colour scheme you choose.”
She adds that a nice yuletide activity could be doing a course on making your own Christmas wreath with branches, which you can then place in your home.
As for her own house, Máire describes her style as country chic with a few modern touches. “I usually remove my regular cushions that I have during the year, and replace them with Christmas cushions, which match and are coordinated. I am a fan of red gingham fabric and the traditional Santa or deer images. A nice throw in a different colour to your normal one can also add to the room.
“As for dressing the tree, I recommend starting out with warm white lights, it’s a classic look,” she says.
“We have four children so we accept their decorations and ideas as well. I cluster my decorations together and then scatter the tree with the kids’ ones. I advise keeping it simple and not overcrowding the tree.”
- Web: chicdwelling.com
- Instagram: @chicdwellingdecor
To read the full interview and see all the pictures, pick up a copy of RSVP's Home magazine, on shelves now.
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