We Wish You a Rustic Christmas

Another year, another Christmas that’s crept up upon us, or at least me. I love writing an annual Christmas decoration blog, as it gives me the chance to have a good look at what’s new. This year I decided to move away from the glitz and glam ornaments and have a little look at the more rustic decorations; which can be a really interesting and low key way to dress up your home this season. If you enjoy a more laid-back, farmhouse or minimal style take a look at some of these Christmas treats.

For a little Nordic style, this wooden Christmas tree from Amara is perfect for a relaxed Scandinavian interior. It’ll sit nicely as a special addition on the other side of a fireplace, opposite a log basket. Or a small Christmas reminder in your bedroom.

Wooden Christmas Tree Ornament from Amara

A smaller rustic Christmas tree can be found at Rockett St George. This set of six look great as a collection, or could be spread out amongst other decorations. They’ll keep the festive charm, but the neutral colours will stop things from going over the top.

Set of 6 Neutral Christmas Trees from Rockett St George

I love a good star decoration, it’s great for the festive season, and can also be used permanently as well. This wooden star from Amara has a gorgeous rustic charm; use all year round lying flat on a coffee table, and lean against a wall with some small fairy lights wrapped around for Christmas.

Wooden Star Decoration from Amara

These distressed iron stars from Rockett St George are a lovely design too, they’ll make a great wall display or could be hung from the ceiling in the hallway.

Distressed Hanging Iron Stars from Rockett St George

For a few irregular guests to the Christmas party, these owls from Abigail Ahern and these flying pigs from Baileys will add a little humour and character to your Christmas décor.

Orla Owl Sculpture from Abigail Ahern

Flying Pigs Decoration from Baileys

If you like a minimal style, there’s no need to compromise at Christmas, you can still get into the spirit and keep your look. These baubles from Anthropologie are made from chipboard, they’re relaxed and cool with a little hint of retro style.

Merry and Bright Ornaments from Anthropologie

Sara Candle in Ash from Heals

Add a few off these Sara candles from Heals in a few different sizes around a table or sitting area to create a minimal, romantic Christmas environment. If you’re not into the traditional style of wreath, or want to try something new this year, this minimal wreath from Trouva is a stylish alternative.

Walter and co Boxwood Wreath from Trouva

Add a touch of nature to your fairy lights with these pinecone and star ensemble from The White Company. They’ll look pretty draped around a mirror or door frame.

Pinecone Fairy Lights from The White Company

A festive Christmas doesn’t mean having to be a big, bright one, create your own little haven this season with some sensational rustic Christmas charm.

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Escape to the Country

I usually align myself more with the contemporary side of interior styles, but sometimes I can’t help but fall in love with something a little more rustic, a little more country. Be it a beautiful table, or an old fashioned cabinet, there are loads of great pieces of furniture out there in the country or farmhouse style which shouldn’t be kept just there anymore. I love a good juxtaposition in interiors, when different styles are put together, so the idea of country meeting city is up there on my list of great combinations. I’ve found some gorgeous country ideas, and their beautiful modern counterparts.

Traditional Farmhouse Style Table from And All Shall Be Well via Pinterest

A traditional farmhouse table like this is a simple being, no frills or over the top design, it’s sturdy, reliable and beautiful in its own right. The planks of wood that make up the top are a subtle feature that adds character, as well as the legs which have been painted a modern grey, allowing the table to fit comfortably into a contemporary setting. Painting the legs of an old table is one way you can update its look; another way to do so is by pairing the traditional table with a set of modern chairs.

I love this Toaster table from Loaf, it’s an easy-going piece that’s perfect for a big family or big dining space, and the stark white wood contrasted with the darkness of the legs look great together. To keep it feeling modern, I’d add something like these brightly coloured chairs designed by Vitra and available from Heal’s, they’re just right to off-set the old with the new.

Toaster Extendable Kitchen Table from Loaf

All Plastic Chair by Vitra from Heal’s

A good console table for a hallway is one that can accommodate your needs as you go to and from your house. A table that’s too frail isn’t going to able to hold down the weight of your never-ending pile of post or keys and still manage to look good. Instead, a piece that’s a little more structurally sound is good for the job; and if there’s one thing about farmhouse style furniture, is that it’s and designed to look and be strong. This rustic console table has beautiful detailing and has a large enough surface to house both decorative items and that endless ‘sorting out’ pile. To counteract the rustic nature of the console, try adding more contemporary style accessories, or a mirror; so that you can still maintain a fresh look.

Rustic Console Table from Ideal Home via Pinterest

Neptune do a great selection of furniture that fits between the contemporary and the traditional look, so they’re a great company to take a peek at for some ideas as to what might work for your house. Their painted console table is a great design that can be painted in a range of colours, and so will fit into whatever scheme you’re creating. You could either pair the simple design with an outlandish style mirror for even more of a contrast, or opt for something equally simple but in a modern style, like this Pero mirror from Swoon Editions.

Suffolk Painted Console Table from Neptune

 

Pero Mirror from Swoon Editions

Your kitchen is a lovely little spot to add some country charm to; after all, it’s meant to be a warm and inviting place, which is one of the main attributes of that rustic, farmhouse feel. I love the look of this kitchen I found whilst sprawling through Pinterest. The crisp metro tiles against the weather wooden cabinets is a gorgeous combination.

Country Style Kitchen from Blog Lovin’ via Pinterest

You can start to add in some rustic allure to your kitchen with some larger, portable pieces of furniture, that’ll help introduce a farmhouse style, and by pairing them with a contemporary kitchen, it can really give an interesting and individual look to your kitchen area. Providence are a local Cambridgeshire company that specialise in handcrafted Shaker style pieces of furniture. Their kitchen dressers would make a great addition to a contemporary kitchen if you want to give it a little bit of warmth and personality.

Shaker Style Kitchen Dresser in Farrow & Ball’s Pigeon from Providence

To keep the dresser feeling current, keep some modern accessories on it, to help draw the connection between the dresser and its contemporary setting. This glass jar, a somewhat traditional accessory has been given a modern facelift with a gold lid, a few in different sizes scattering around the dresser will keep up the individuality you’re looking to inject into your kitchen.

Gold and Metal Glass Jar from Maison du Monde

While you’re making traditional furniture feel more modern with contemporary accessories, you can also do the exact opposite and tone down contemporary pieces with some county-style decoration. This can help add warmth and texture to a setting, helping to create an inviting, and liveable home. If I were to think of a (slightly romanticised) farmhouse setting, I would picture a big, cosy fire and endless amounts of sheepskin rugs and textural wool accessories to keep the place looking and feeling warm. These are the perfect accessory to use in a contemporary setting, as they lend themselves to both parties.

Rustic Setting from The Future Kept via Pinterest

This bench from Maison du Monde is a wonderful way to add some farmhouse style to seating area. The rustic legs and white faux fur are a perfect combination.

Refuge Bench from Maison du Monde

It could be paired nicely with this natural hemp rug from Nkuku, which could also be used to soften a harder looking seating area, or tone down a stronger colour that features in the room.

Ndaka Hemp Rug in Natural from Nkuku

Finally, for an extra bit of soft, country-style texture, I had to throw in these gorgeous cushions from Baileys, which would make a stunning addition to an aged leather armchair or mid-century sofa.

Hand Woven Cushion from Baileys

If you have a favourite style that you love, then you’re blessed with having a clear cut vision of how you’d like your home to look. But if you’re like me, and can’t seem to settle on just one, then building up a repertoire of balanced looking juxtapositions where you can play off old and new pieces, or simple and loud ideas together in a one harmonious setting, is a skill worth having so that you can keep your interiors full of life and individuality, without having to compromise.

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The Gift of Giving

In light of Mother’s Day coming up, and any other occasion where you need a thoughtful gift, opting for something from the homeware department can go a lot further than just a scented candle. Buying gifts for the home can be a great way to give something that’s long lasting, sentimental and unique. Whether it’s a house warming present, a birthday or holiday, or just something to show someone you care, a thoughtful home accessory can be the perfect gesture.

There are two ways you can look at it when it comes to gifting home accessories to a close friend or family member; adding to their already existing theme of pieces and ornaments, or giving them something a little outside their comfort zone, something they wouldn’t ever get themselves. When giving homewares there is a chance to get creative, have a little fun and give a touching present.

Typically, when it comes to the big touches in a home, the owner will want to make that call on their own, so when giving homeware as a gift it’s all about the small, but special touches. This sweet blackbird tea towel from Angel & Boho is an ideal gift; the adorable print takes away the functionality aspect of the gift, making it a great addition to a kitchen, to be displayed as a bohemian design feature.

‘Blackbird Tea Towel’ from Angel & Boho

Sticking to the bird theme, a simple way to add some life to a garden is with a bird feeder. This rustic piece from Catesby’s is the perfect way to decorate a garden and entice from real birds as well. The piece is great for adding a little charm to an individual tree or a small garden or balcony area.

‘Hanging Bird Feeder’ from Catesby’s

The great thing about giving or receiving homeware as presents is that it’s an opportunity to get an item that you might not be able to justify getting for yourself. Buying something fun, with perhaps just a hint of kitsch that makes a fabulous finishing touch to a home. I love these pin-up candlestick holders from Ark, ideal for putting a smile on someone’s face and lighting up an area of the home, perhaps a table or dresser, giving the space a bit of humour and life.

‘Show Girl Candlesticks’ from Ark

As with many people my age, I’m just being to start a collection of homeware pieces that I’ll (hopefully) treasure forever, so receiving items that I can add to this assembly of ornaments is a great way to give the collection some diversity and give myself new ideas about what I like. Pieces like these multi-coloured candle holders from Habitat are quite a particular style, but if you have someone you know will love them, or someone you think can take on the challenge then they’re a great, creative gift that goes a step further than the typical candle themed gift.

‘Odela Multi-Coloured Ceramic Candleholder’ from Habitat

My mother has always had a love for flowers and nature, whether it’s in the garden or in the home, so giving her pots and vases has always been a sure-fire way of getting her something she likes (and will use), whilst still being able to get her something with an unexpected design or style. This speckled jug from Catesby’s is a versatile piece that can be used as its primary function, or as a vase. It would make a great accompaniment for some fresh spring Daffodils, with the electric blue and yellow contrasting perfectly.

‘Speckle Ware Jug’ from Catesby’s

For more of a rustic feel, these antique French pots from Baileys would make amazing gifts, for vases, planters or just ornaments. The individual nature of them means that you can give a few in an array of shapes, styles and colours.

‘Old French Poitiers Pottery’ from Baileys

If you have a friend, or maybe a son or daughter who has recently bought their first home, or renting their first grown up flat, they may need a few things to help get them started. Whilst a lot of necessities can be bought from places like Ikea, buying some pieces that can give the home a few special touches can make great presents, especially if it’s for someone who can’t justify getting it for themselves. A simple bowl like this one from French Connection is a great starter piece for those finding their style footing. It’ll look great against some simple chinaware sets and begin to add some character to a home.

‘Green Stone Bowl’ from French Connection

On the contrary, if you know this person has quite an experimental kind of style, and is always keen to try new things and be surprised, an item like this flamboyant tray from Porcupine Rocks is not only a fantastic gift, but also full of flair, making it a real statement piece.

‘Shine Shine Tiger Tray’ from Porcupine Rocks

Finally, if you’re searching for a gift for someone that already has it all, then something frivolous and fun may be just the ticket. This lollipop holder from Jonathan Adler ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a present with a sense of humour, individuality and a hint of madness. It makes the perfect addition to an already fruitful collection of eclectic ornaments.

‘Mohawk Lollipop Holder’ from Jonathan Adler

Buying gifts for loved ones is a great way to express your appreciation from them, and give them something they’ll love. Deciding to give them homeware means choosing something that they can treasure forever, giving sentiment to their home and help add to the collection of wonderful items. Whether it’s an antique item, something a little outside of their comfort zone, something sweet or an item that encourages them to walk on the wild side of interior design, there is so much fun to be had with picking out gifts, you’ll just have to refrain from keeping them all yourself!

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When baking goes bad

We’ve all experienced the odd culinary disaster, particularly in the baking department (me more than most I suspect) and whilst presentation will never make things taste better, a minor collapse (a de-thawing for example) could be brought back from the brink of the dustbin by a gorgeous platter or cake stand. Should such an event occur in your household, I have some presentation suggestions for you.

Pressed glass cake stand by Baileys Home £48

Bone China ‘Beautiful Alchemy’ Cake Plate by Rockett St George £20.50

Handcarved Acacia Cake Stand by Anthropologie £30.00 – £54.00

Pressed glass cake stand by Graham and Green £41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holly Frean Gallus Dessert Plate at Anthropologie £14 each

 

Stoneware Cake Stand from The White Company £35

 

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