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Writer's pictureKrista Collard

2020 Holiday Decor You’re Sure to Love


A modern kitchen decorated for Christmas. Two large open metal rectangular shade hang from the ceiling. They are gold and resemble modern chandeliers with electric candles inside. Four wooden bar stools sit against a white kitchen bench. The stools are light timber and have green wreaths with white bows attached on the back. A white rangehood and chrome fridge are in the background; a pine garland is attached to the rangehood

Image Source | Williams Sonoma


Anyone with an interior decorator as a friend has been waiting for this moment… it’s Christmas, y’all! While I love any excuse to decorate, Christmas is the perfect time of year to really go all-out on your home decor, and put your family and guests in a festive mood. If you’re looking for some 2020 inspiration, read on for my top holiday decor tips.



Mantelscapes

A wood fire burns in a white fireplace. The chimney and walls are painted white and a soft white fur rug rests in front of the fire on a light toned wooden fllor. A pine garland hangs over the mantelpiece, hanging down the sides. Candles sit on top of the mantel and four white knitted stockings hang from it with rose gold coloured ribbons. A matching pine wreath with a rose gold ribbon hangs on the chimney above the mantel

Design: Monika Hibbs | Photography: Tracey Ayton


If there’s one thing I love at Christmas, it’s a well thought-out decorated mantel. While wood fires aren’t as common as they used to be (and no one will be running them in Australia this December!) the mantelpiece is still the focal point of most living areas, and is a great place to showcase your holiday spirit. Keep in mind that your mantels can be as extravagant or minimalist as you like - it’s all about your own, unique style.


A glass rave rests on a white mantelpiece, filled with native Australian flowers.

Image Source | Australian House and Garden


To me, a beautiful garland with fresh flowers and greenery is perfection, especially when topped off with some candles. For traditionalists, a lush pine garland might be your thing, but there’s some amazing Aussie natives to think about too. Eucalyptus runners are becoming more popular, and DIY bottle brush variants are also stunning. The great thing about using natives is that they’re sustainable, gorgeous to look at, and easy to use! Unlike other flowers, natives can be purchased weeks in advance and will dry naturally, rather than looking dead and lifeless on Christmas day.



Tablescapes

An overhead photo of a dark wooden table outside. The table has a eucalyptus garland runner with black tapered candles in white holders along the middle of the table. There are six place settings with black dinner plates and gold cutlery, and grey linen serviettes under the plates hanging off the edge of the table. On top of each place is a small wrapped gift in gold wrapping paper. Traditional wine glasses and pink and gold mugs rest at the top of each place setting

Design: Maxwell and Gray | Photography: Rachel Elaine


Ok, so I know I just wrote about Thanksgiving tables… but I can’t help but decorate the place settings for Christmas too! Just like the mantel, floral arrangements are a must, and fresh natives are your best bet. Consider whether you’d like a garland along the centre of your table, or floral arrangements spotted along. Again, you can choose to go all-out on your flowers, or keep things simple. My top tip is to utilise different levels for added dimensions - just make sure your arrangements aren’t too high so your guests can still see each other!



A place setting on a table. The plates are naturally shaped with a large grey one and a small cream one on top. A charcoal linen serviette rests roughly on top with a cookie and copper cutlery. The cookie has white icing and the phrase "deck the halls" etched in the top. The table is covered with native Australian flowers and small square kraft boxes little table tied with brown twine.

Design: Eclectic Creative | Photography: Sophie Timothy


Aside from your flowers, have a think about your tablecloth, dinner plates, cutlery and glasses. If you have a nice wooden table, you might skip the tablecloth option, or you could opt for a lovely linen base. Remember that you don’t necessarily need to go for traditional Christmas colours - pastel tones mixed with a natural palette creates a light, delicate feeling that’s perfect for hot Aussie Christmases. For place settings, organic shaped plates are in, and brass or gold cutlery never goes out of style. Top it all off with a few candles, or add some cafe or twinkle lights for an extra touch of Christmas magic.



Surprising Rooms to Decorate

A photo of a bedroom. A queen sized bed sits in the middle of the room with beige sides and a plush white fabric head. A white doona sits on top with a blush coloured fur rug and copper coloured cushions. A black and white spotted present box with a gold bow rests at the end of the bed with a pair of pink slippers. A grey sette is at the end of the bed with cream cushions. The walls are painted cream, as well as the ceiling and a gold and glass chandelier hangs over the bed. A traditional pine wreath with a green bow hangs on the wall behind the bed and a large french window is visible to the side with sheer beige curtains.

Design: Emily Jackson | Photography: Lindsay Salazar

While the mantel and the table are our go-to decoration spots, and definitely the top picks if you have limited time or resources, there are plenty of other areas of the house that can benefit from some holiday decor. For surprising places to decorate, think about the backs of bar stools with wreaths or bows, some strung up baubles on your range hood, or even a wreath on the window over the kitchen sink. If you’re really in a festive mood, consider putting up a small tree in your bedroom (a mini version on the night stand is super cute!), or even some decorations in the bathroom - the options are limitless!


Christmas really is a special time of year, and you can adjust your decor to your own celebrations - floral garlands and festive wreaths can look just as stunning on Hanukkah as they do at Christmas. Will you be decorating your home for the holidays? Let me know below.


A millennial woman, residential interior designer based on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, Australia. She is wearing a white and grey tweed blazer with a white cami, jeans and black framed glasses. Her hair is dark blonde and she is smiling with her legs crossed and her arm rested on a marble and walnut side table surrounded by native Australian flowers and plants. A watercolour abstract painting in a matted and brass frame hangs on the wall behind her as do charcoal drapes.


Krista Collard Interiors is a full service design-build firm focusing on creating timeless spaces that honour sustainability and functionality across the Greater Sydney area.


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