Not Just For Christmas
By Anne Marie Hillan
So it’s November and the nights are dark. We, and our homes, totally deserve attention! But November and early December usually go by with little of that; it’s all Christmas prep and then we ‘Deck the halls’ ready for the big day. Then when it’s over we take down the decorations and our homes feel bare. This year, let’s decorate and style for the whole winter season and not just for Christmas.
Now before any of you shoot me down I do love Christmas decorations and all things festive! How could I not – I am an actual Christmas Day baby. This is my time of year! But instead of Christmas décor – let’s think cosy winter styling that starts now and stays with us past Christmas and New Year and has us feeling comfy, warm and glowing right through the darkest months. In December you can add Christmas wreaths, sparkly lights, ornaments and a fully decorated tree but let’s also leave you with some décor ideas to take your winter interior right through to sping 2024.
Now any of you that follow me on Instagram will know I love deep dark moody colours. But whether your home has a bright, dark or neutral colour scheme you can easily accessorise with deep rich tones that will look fabulous all winter, even all year round, but which will be the perfect back drop to your Christmas decorations
For rich and luscious décor ideas Timorous Beasties on Great Western Road is a great place to start. If the budget is healthy then their fabrics for curtains and upholstery, and rugs, are to die for! Look at the vibrant colours in their Berkley Blooms range (previous page).
But we can all give our sofas an opulent vibe with their amazing cushions. The Berkley Blooms cushions start from £90 but they have cushions in so many fabrics and styles that I guarantee there is one to suit your décor. And at the other end of the price range they have the most amazing tea towels in their wonderful design ranges. They would make a fantastic gift. But I confess to having framed one as wall art in my home – and they’re only £14!
Next stop is Galletly Tubbs at Kelvinbridge. Another amazing shop full of furniture, lamps, cushions, throws and all manner of ornaments and accessories. It’s their faux fur throws that I think could be the making of your cosy décor this winter. There is one word for them – lush!
Use them to adorn your sofa, or dress a bed for your Christmas visitors, but in January and February just wrap yourself up to keep warm.
Next on my West End shopping crawl – is the Nancy Smillie Shop – a West End institution. It too has prints, mirrors, furniture and amazing Christmas decorations as well as clothes, jewellery and gifts – but remember the brief. We are making our home a relaxing, indulgent paradise! So in Nancy Smillie I suggest you head straight to the Shearer Candles display. Shearer Candles have been making candles in Glasgow since 1897. Their candles look beautiful and smell amazing.
Then if Christmas visitors need occasional seating what about an accent chair? Look at this beautiful green ‘June’ chair (Page 74). Perfect for visitors now but in January, when your New Year resolution is to read more books, then sit this chair in a corner and you have a chilled reading nook.
Nancy Smillie also have the most amazing lampshades in beautiful greens and moody blues by Edinburgh based Rosella and Lime (Page 77). Have a look at your table lamps and see if one of them would benefit from a mini makeover all of their own. Treat that base lamp to a whole new look.
And about your Christmas Table? Well tablescaping is an all year round pursuit these days but few of us can afford tableware for every season. Bluebellgray in Hyndland has a solution for this. I love their ‘Hot Pottery’ range with their Lace Taper Candlesticks (see both on Page 77). Perfect for Christmas entertaining but also with the addition of different napkins, flowers and accessories they will adorn your table all year around! And while you are there you could transform your guest bedroom with some amazing bedding that can also be dressed for every season with different throws and cushions.
So for Christmas your lounge is lush, your bedroom welcoming, your home smells amazing and you are ready for your guests to arrive. The finishing touch is from Time and Tide. We are blessed, and I do mean blessed, to have two Time and Tide stores in the West End. One on Byres Road and one at St George’s Cross. Visit them both – they are fabulous!
For Christmas and all year round entertaining pick up one of their bar carts (Page 77) – get your sparkly, gin and whisky out and you are ready to celebrate!
Finally nip to the lovely Casseopia on Hyndland Road. Cassiopeia have the most amazing shot glasses (Page 77). Made in Scotland these stag decorated glasses are great as a gift or for Christmas entertaining but usable all year round. Perfect for a traditional dram but if you want a Tequila Rose shot that would work too!
So when thinking Christmas decor – firstly think West End and shop local this Christmas. Not only will you be supporting small businesses that are the heart of our community but you will also be treating yourself to some absolutely glorious and fabulous pieces.
But think past the holiday season. With all of this as the backdrop to your festive décor all you need add is your decorated tree, your scented candles, fairy lights galore and your home is all set. And when the tree and the Festive decorations come down there will be no post Christmas blues – keep those candles lit, cuddle up with your cushions and throws and enjoy not just a Merry Christmas but a Happy and very comfy and cosy New Year!
Follow Anne Marie on Instagram at @lock.downhouse where you will find her on Christmas Day eating turkey with all the trimmings – and birthday cake.
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