A REALLY COOL CHRISTMAS

Tired of the traditional red and green festive decor? Be inspired by our round-up of different styles to give your home a fresh new look this season.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Tired of the traditional red and green festive decor? Be inspired by our round-up of different styles to give your home a fresh new look this season.

BEACH CHIC

Instead of the frumpy and formal Christmas styling, consider creating a sultry and laid-back atmosphere with decorative accents in natural textures and warm, earthy colours. This absolutely casual and quirky look is especially ideal for homes along the waterfront, with salty breezes blowing through, adding to the charm of this alternative to the usual Scandi style. 

ON SHELF

FROM TOP LEFT

Pendant lamp shade, 100 cm, $9.90; from IKEA.

Vintage suitcase, $250; Cat sculpture, $110; all from Egg3.

Black indoor LED lighting chain with 24 lights, $59, from IKEA.

Rattan glass, $5; Rattan pitcher, $28, all from Danovel.

Rattan basket with handle, $100, from Living DNA. 

FROM BOTTOM LEFT 

Brown rattan basket, $100, from Living DNA.

Checked scarf, $69; Hat, $69; Wooden box, $195; Orange box, $89; all from Egg3.

ON WALL

FROM TOP

Brown knitted bag, $48; Button knob, $25; Rattan basket, $35; all from Egg3.

My Reading Room

FROM LEFT

Green vintage metal cabinet, $1,500, from Egg3.

ON SHELF

FROM TOP LEFT

LED flameless candles, price upon request; Rattan glass, $5; Rattan pitcher, $28; all from Danovel.

Sewing machine sculpture, $139, from Egg3.

Santamaria Outdoor stool & basket, $235; from Living DNA.

FROM BOTTOM LEFT

Hexagon jar, $50; Burni jar, $50, all from Living DNA.

My Reading Room

FROM TOP LEFT

Diamond black rug, $145; Rwanda seaweed pink basket, $140, all Living DNA.

Pandan placemat charger, $50; Rwanda seaweed turquoise basket, $140, all from Living DNA.

Serving tray, $59; Porcelain tea pot set, $250; all from Egg3.

My Reading Room

ON BRUNCH

FROM LEFT

Metal star matte gold and white ornament, set of 5, $45, from Living DNA.

Metal watering can, $89; Red checked scarf, $69; Straw hat, $69, all from Egg3.

ON BENCH

FROM LEFT

Ghanaian large shopper basket, $140, all from DNA.

Artist waiter staute, $110; from Egg3.

My Reading Room

FROM TOP

Pendant lamp shade, 100 cm, $9.90; from IKEA.

Metal ladder; $490; from Egg3.

LED lighting chain with 24 lights, indoor black, $59, from IKEA.

Bunting hessian triangle flags, $27, from Spotlight.

ON WALL

Pandan placemat charger, $50, from Living DNA. 

ON FLOOR 

FROM TOP

Lamp shade, 70 cm, $7.90; from IKEA.

Vintage suitcase, $250; all from Egg3.

Jute & recycled sari floor basket, $100, from Living DNA.

My Reading Room

ON WALL

Necklace, $38, from Egg3.

ON BENCH

FROM LEFT 

Mocha ikat cushion; $120, Pine cushion, $120, all from Living DNA.

Artist women and men staute, $110 each; Vintage camera bag, $139; all from Egg3.

Round wine box, $60, from Living DNA.

ON FLOOR 

Vagabond rug, $590; Rwanda seaweed pink basket, $140, all Living DNA.

Silver wreath, $89; Bookend, $129, all from Egg3.

My Reading Room

ON WALL

Rattan basket, $35; Silver cup, $10.90; Green glass vase, $89; all from Egg3.

ON FLOOR

Metal star matte gold and white ornament, set of 5, $45, from Living DNA.

Normann chair, $950; Checked scarf, $69; all from Egg3.

Ghanaian pot shaped bolga basket, $195, from Living DNA.

My Reading Room

DARK & SENSUAL

Some homeowners may be apprehensive about delving into such a sombre hue over the holidays, but the truth is blue is the hot new colour of 2019. This year, a range of blues have been in; whether it’s moody navy, aquamarine or relaxed grey-blue, they all work to create a calm atmosphere in the home. These blue hues are reminiscent of the tranquil sky and sea, and you will definitely be setting a bold and stylish statement by incorporating this intense tone into your 2019 Christmas colour palette.

1. Annie Sloan chalk paint in Napoleonic blue, POA, www.anniesloan.com.

My Reading Room

2. Mindthegap Dutch Blauw denim spirit wallpaper, POA, www.mindtheg.com.

3. Midnight blue stag bauble, $19, www.annabeljames.co.uk.

4. Sophie Allport highland stag knitted statement hot water bottle,$46, www.sophieallport.com.

5. T-Sparcle cushion,$30, www.otto.de.

6. V&A The Cole collection navy floral side p, $18, www. kitchencraft.co.uk.

7. Christmas bauble,$30, www.einrichten-design.de.

8. Cobalt reversible throw, $230, www.tollymcrae.co.uk.

9. Orca jug, $35, www. sweetpeaandwillow.com.

10. Velvet cushion,$115, www. thedesignhunter.com.au.

11. Blue cat candle holders, $210, www. theshopfloorproject.com.

12. Blue tealight holder, $35, www.annabeljames.co.uk.

13. Little owl lino print, $40, www. madebyhandonline.com.

My Reading Room

TROPICAL CHEER

We may not have a snowy landscape but there’s no stopping local homeowners from imbibing of the Christmas cheer by embracing the bright colours and verdant shades iconic of our scenery here in the tropics. Create a lush and decadent look with oversized floral patterns and tropical fruit motifs. Complete the look with strings of fairy lights across a green wall or vertical garden.

1. Fan Palm Leaf matte black steel with hemp rope, $220, www.lisasarah.com.

2. Cactus lamps, $150 each, www.ksl-living.fr. 

3. Summer Tropics lampshade, $64, www.charltonisland.com.

4. Hayworth Pineapple jar, $380, www. sweetpeaandwillow.com.

5. Beachlife cushion, $38, www.hock-dich-hin.de.

6. Tropical Fruit baubles,$23, www.limelace.co.uk.

7. Green Monstera rug,$194, www.ksl-living.fr.

8. Palm jungle green tropical rug, $300, Gold lion head planter,$260, Deco fan gold console table, $380, Gold pleated wall clock, $66, Handmade gold beaded large vase, $111, www.audenza.com.

My Reading Room

FUN & YOUTHFUL

This whimsical look is sure to create a merry and bright feel in any home. It’s a great option for those who want to inject an element of fun into the space without going overboard with the trimmings. Simply pair vibrant pastel tones with baubles and accessories in bright primary colours, and finish with a dash of sparkle in gold or silver.

1. Rice Christmas decorations, POA, www.takatomo.de.

2. Pink neon star duo, $45, www.lights4fun.co.uk.

3. Llama decoration, $18, www.etsy.com.

4. Lamu blue velvet cushion, $50, www.sweetpeaandwillow.com.

5. Pastel polka champagne flutes, $45 each, www.annabeljames.co.uk.

6. MYK advent wreath candleholder, $2,250, www.myk-berlin.com.

Photography DARREN CHANG

Styling NONIE CHEN