Dreaming of a white Christmas

With snow about a foot deep here, it's easy to dream of a white Christmas.  Whatever the weather once the Big Day comes around, however, why not create your own white Christmas interior?  All white festive schemes can look dreamily ethereal or hyper sophisticated, depending on the materials you choose.

Use lots of gauzy fabrics and soft silver accents for a soft, romantic scheme or combine stark whites spiked with deep purple and black for a super-cool look.  Combine natural textures and eco-friendly materials within the scheme to add a touch of country style... but keep the overall look pure for stylish designer pzazz.

DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS

Five weeks tomorrow till the Big Day!

Dressing your home for Christmas marks the start of the festive season.  And, although we're coming to the close of an economically and environmentally sobering year, that needn't mean scaling down festive celebrations.  Indeed, it's even more important to explore how to capture the Christmas spirit while making the least impact on both purse and planet.

Handmade, natural and vintage products are high fashion this season so cash in on the trend by creating your own decorations or supporting small craft producers.  Take a walk in the woods to collect pine cones, decorative twigs and evergreen stems.  Scour local sales and charity shops for vintage jewellery, pretty china and swatches of old fabrics.  Get baking to produce your own tree decorations and edible gifts.

Watch this space over the next few weeks to pick up some great ways to have a green Christmas - or pick up a copy of December's D & G Life magazine for the full text of these tips.

Designer looks with natural eco chic

   

     Making a huge impact in the designer shows this year is the natural eco look.

     Natural wood from sustainable sources hand crafted into clean and pleasing designs is at the heart of the look.  This doesn't mean pieces are brand new; pre-loved and recycled furniture is just as valued and, indeed, if your preference is for endangered timbers like teak, reclaimed pieces are now the only viable option.  Other natural materials have recently been recognised as better for health as well as environment.  Eco paints, non toxic pastes and papers and natural floorcoverings are available in a huge range of styles and shades.
      But the natural eco look is about more than environmentally sound decorating.  It is about reintroducing the colours and textures of the countryside and rediscovering our artisan roots.  It could well take as its motto William Morris' words, 'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'.
     Against a background of materials such as stone and wood colours can be muted (putty, sage, corn and rust) or vibrant (cerise, purple, lime and chartreuse) and patterns simple or intricate.  But, whatever the choice, the finished decor will be pleasingly organic with each element in harmony with the whole.  It will be a scheme easily changed with the seasons or mood but it will retain - and respect - the underlying bones of the design.

www.thebordersdesignhouse.co.uk

Home accessories and Christmas Gifts

First of all, we must thank everyone who has given us such positive feedback on our new online shop!  You all say how much you love the accessories ... and the fact that everything is a 'one-off' makes them absolutely perfect for Christmas gifts.

We really must thank all our craftspeople too for their hard work and the exquisite pieces they've produced for us.  They really do make our range unique, eco and chic.

We especially love the house portraits (see under Vintage and Ornamental) and think they'd make a really thoughtful present for family and friends.  But you'll have to hurry with your orders if you want them done in time for Christmas - our Borders-based artist is already busy!

Christmas is less than eight weeks away so keep an eye open for our festive tips on decorating and original gifts.  And if you're after advice, help, or just want to say Hi! we'd love to hear from you.