Elevate your home this Christmas with these five decorating trends.
‘Tis the season to show off your styling know-how. Whether you’re a Christmas classicist or an al fresco entertainer, consider this the ultimate guide (with tips and tricks from the stars of our Christmas campaign) to decorating your home with festive flair.
Merry & bright
For author, entrepreneur, and founder of Gro-To skincare, Zoë Foster Blake, Christmas is about all things merry and bright. From trimming the tree to wrapping gifts, her more-is-more approach to Christmas accessorising is both fun and delightfully stylish. With her decorating assistant (and daughter) Rudy in tow, Zoë’s Christmas is set to be marvellously colourful.
“I am looking forward to exuberance and jubilance, and anything really colourful and sparkly this Christmas.”
Zoë Foster Blake
How to style the perfect tree:
1. Start by selecting the perfect tree for your space. Make sure you have enough space above (for a decorative topper) and around the hearth (for all those pressies from Santa).
2. Choose a style or trend to centre your aesthetic around and make sure you have enough baubles and tinsel at the ready.
3. Begin by fluffing out the branches of the tree, starting at the bottom and working your way to the top.
4. Hang your tree lights before you begin decorating. Pro tip: turn the lights on while you hang them – this will help you see even distribution around the tree.
5. Choose a focal point of the tree and begin to hang your chosen baubles, stepping back occasionally to view, ensuring you’re not leaving any large gaps.
Al fresco festivities
As a chef who is passionate about high quality produce and vibrant flavours, Hayden Quinn’s Christmas will be one of indulgent feasting. Inspired by the wonders of Australia’s coastline, lots of blue set the scene for Hayden’s Christmas of Dreams.
“What does Christmas mean to me? Sunshine, summer, family, friends, amazing food, great seafood and, of course, a cold beverage.”
Hayden Quinn
How to set the table for Christmas cheer:
1. Choose a trend to centre your tablescape around (if you’re planning an outdoor summer feast like Hayden, the Al Fresco curation is perfect for you) and ensure you have enough dinnerware, napery and servingware for the number of guests you’re entertaining.
2. Create height and focal points on your table by incorporating unique tableware shapes, such as carafes, cake stands, platters and serving bowls, using the tallest items in the centre of the table.
3. Choose a hero dish to be the star of the show – this might be a traditional turkey or mouth-watering seafood. When you set the table, place the hero front and centre, then work back to include other fresh (and colourful) dishes around it.
4. Make each setting at the table unique by including a festive bauble or bon bon on the plate, side plate or folded napkin as a nod to the festive occasion.
Sparkling celebrations
Justine Cullen is dreaming of a Christmas full of family, festivities, and copious amounts of delicious food. The mum of four and JONES Editor-in-Chief’s love of Christmas doesn’t stop at the lunch menu though. “I tend to wake up even before my children because I’m so excited for Santa to come,” she says. Justine’s coastal chic aesthetic carries through to her Christmas styling, which is characterised by dreamy neutrals and warm white lights.
“To me, Christmas is about friends and family and love and spending time together. It’s also about eating. In fact, I think the most important part of Christmas is the eating.”
Justine Cullen
How to prepare the ultimate festive feast:
1. As you gather the ingredients for your feast, keep in mind how many people you’re cooking for and choose your meat, seafood and vegetables by weight accordingly. While leftovers are great, be conscious of food waste during this indulgent time of year.
2. Make a game plan for the day. This means working out the timings for cooking your ham or turkey (or both) and planning side dishes to fit the cooking schedule. Remember to think about the size of your oven (as you’re probably cooking more food at once than usual meals) – get creative and find additional ways of cooking, like on the BBQ or in an airfryer.
3. Get the whole family involved. Children big and small can help with everything from peeling the potatoes to setting the table.
4. Don’t forget the pudding. And mince pies. Oh, and grandma’s famous shortbread.
5. Sit down, relax and enjoy the feast.
Timeless traditions
Steve Cordony is set to celebrate Christmas in style this year, with a day of pure opulence and luxe decor on his wish list. When it comes to dressing the table, the interior stylist says, “I love playing with some quirky things, like the pomegranates that we’ve put in here… the motifs, I think, can be really fun.” Traditional trimmings, gold accents and a tree adorned with shimmering lights lay the foundations for Steve’s stylish take on a classic white Christmas.
“I think I’d probably say that I was more of a traditionalist for Christmas. I tend to go to the greens and the reds, and then a bit of gold for some accent.”
Steve Cordony
How to style your space for Christmas:
1. Complement the style of your Christmas tree by adding accents and decorations throughout your home that ladder back to the trend or colour scheme you’ve chosen. If you’re a traditionalist like Steve, include pops of red and gold on your mantle, coffee table, bookcase and other areas of the home.
2. Wrap presents in coordinating coloured paper and set them under the tree. Don’t forget to hang your stockings, ready for the man in red to fill.
3. Don’t forget about your furry friends. Find pawsome (or purrfect) presents at David Jones that will spread festive cheer to the four-legged members of the family.
Christmas nights
A Christmas of glitz and glamour is written in the stars this year for Genevieve Smart, co-founder of fashion label Ginger & Smart. Genevieve’s Christmas of Dreams is all about elegant styling, a stellar spread of food and drinks, and sharing in the sublime with loved ones.
“I think we’re all going to get dressed up and celebrate what this year has been, and pull out our favourite dresses and great prints.”
Genevieve Smart
How to cheers Christmas with the perfect pours:
1. Elevate your bar cart with gold-trimmed glassware that gives festive drinks extra sparkle and is sure to impress your guests.
2. Choose a signature cocktail (or mocktail) to master mixing. Seasonal garnishes (think berries, herbs and even dried citrus) make impressive finishing touches.
3. Keep a bottle of something bubbly in the fridge – you never know when friends and family might pop over for a spontaneous tipple.
4. Pop out a plate of snacks to complement your drinks. Think olives, cured meats, cheese and crackers to nibble on, or even homemade baked goods (but we won’t tell if you pick up a packet of David Jones Food mince pies to share).
