Christmas seems to be coming around quickly, which only means one thing - it's time to put up decorations!
Many people enjoy the process of putting up garlands and trees, while other people loathe it. Others may feel that their decorating efforts are not giving enough of a 'wow' factor - but there's something simple you can try to give your decorations that extra pop.
Volume is key, according to interior designer Collette Ward, and the decorations don't have to be expensive, but you should be buying almost all of the ones on the shelf. This is something a lot of people don't consider doing, she adds.
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The Wicklow based designer and owner of Collette Ward Interiors in Aughrim says people should also definitely choose a colour palette.
She says taking a picture of your home after it is partially decorated, or even just taking a picture of the decorations themselves can be helpful, so you can avoid buying ornaments and trinkets in clashing colours.
“My ethos is to go big or go home. Don’t buy six or eight of the decorations you like, choose your colours and buy volume - clear every shelf. They don’t have to be expensive. You will have impact and interest this way.”
Traditional homes look well dressed in red and green, while more contemporary homes suit white and silver, according to Collette.
She usually takes her lead from the existing colours in the room. “There is often a nice colour I want to pull from the wallpaper. For example, if the wallpaper has a lot of patterns, I choose one colour within it and go with different tones of that colour. That can be a nice way of getting rhythm in the room when there’s already a lot of detail.”
She adds that it is important to decide how many rooms you are willing to decorate. “In bigger houses you may have more than one tree, while smaller homes may have one tree in a main room and the decorations should follow suit, so it is all connected.”
Colette adds that she would often put fairy lights, ribbons, beads, moss, twigs, leaves and branches in empty vases or jars to create a story. “If you want to go for something a bit different, you can use eucalyptus branches.”
As for her own home, she has a big tree in the kitchen and dining space. “I love glass, I love the clarity of it. I often mix it with cool whites and turquoise.”
Her sitting room, which has earthy tones such as dark green and mustard, is decorated in a rustic theme with wood and coppery tones, along with greenery gathered from the garden.
- Instagram: @collettewardinteriors
- Website: collettewardinteriors.ie
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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