What to buy for an outrageously maximalist Christmas
Every year House & Garden heads off to the houses of stylish tastemakers for our Christmas shoots, and it's a great way to keep a finger on the pulse of what's on trend as the years pass by. While we certainly have a soft spot for a tasteful, minimalist scheme, we've been noticing things taking a turn for the showy in recent years. The houses of Amanda Brooks and Luke Edward Hall, the subjects of two of our Christmas films, have been packed with colourful lights, glittery metallic baubles, and even, dare we say it, tinsel. We're very much on board – it's cheerful, fun, and the perfect antidote to a weary autumn.
The key to keeping this look stylish, it seems, is a mix of the super kitsch and the pared back. Decorations like sparkly mushrooms and chilli pepper-shaped baubles should be juxtaposed with more natural elements like simple foliage, indoor bulbs like narcissi and stems of berries, and twinkly fairy lights with candles in elegant candlesticks. Delicate paper decorations can add a rustic, crafty touch to offset the glitter and garishness. For anything that might involve textiles (tree skirts, tablecloths, Christmas stockings), go for rich embroidered fabrics in jewel tones. Here we break down the look with a few key essentials.
Perfect papers
Make like Sean Pritchard in his 17-century cottage, or House & Garden's Style Director Ruth Sleightholme and get crafty with pretty papers. Whether you're festooning your most festive room with shop-bought paper garlands or making homemade baubles, there are plenty of lovely paper goods to choose from. For those who want to get a little crafty, we recommend The Fabled Thread's tutorials and packs, as well as Cambridge Imprint for arty patterns.
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Rich fabrics
A stocking isn't just for Christmas Eve and should be hung all season for a decorative touch. Choose one in a jewel tone with velvet and trimmings to go all in, and perhaps a tree skirt too. Embroidered or patchwork detailing bring texture and tactility. The table is the other place to pay attention to fabrics, so make sure you have something beautiful to lay your plates on and some vibrant napkins to punctuate your scheme.
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Pattern on pattern
If you haven't already got enough pattern in your table linens, make sure you bring it in elsewhere. Vibrantly patterned wrapping papers and crackers are a must for a maximalist Christmas (stationers Choosing Keeping and Cambridge Imprint are House & Garden favourites) and you can even bring it in in unexpected places like candles and dishes.
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Go gaudy
Use sparingly, but some gaudy colours and high metallic shine can be a charming addition to your Christmas decoration scheme. Luke Edward Hall has been sneaking tinsel onto the tree when his husband is out of the room, so for any tinsel-sceptics out there, this might be the year to rethink your prejudice. Beads, sequins, a sprinkle of glitter and a sense of humour are what to keep in mind for this look.
Foodie festivities
Christmas decorations that revolve around the fruit and vegetable world are absolutely the way to go this year; Luke Edward Hall and Duncan Campbell covered their Christmas table with mushrooms, alongside vases filled with berries. We're also loving decorations that take on wlel-known brands and reinterpret them with whimsy, in an Anya Hindmarch sort of way. Depending on the exact level of kitsch you're willing to embrace, you can keep things more delicate with Minnie-Mae Stott's adorable borlotti bean decoration, or go full kitsch with sparkly pasta shapes, golden croissants or even an embroidered tin of Heinz tomato soup.
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