My Top 5 Christmas Decorating Tips, With CALA Homes

This post is in collaboration with CALA Homes.

December is one of my favourite months of the year. I love the build up to Christmas and all of the trappings that come with it: the festive songs, the family movies, and the joy of hauling those badly-packed boxes of christmas decorations down from the attic. Sadly, this year, we will have to forego the latter due to our current situation.

If you have been following along, you will know that we are undertaking a major renovation, in the form of a new extension (see my last post here). Whilst still in the dust and debris stage, our house is no place for christmas decor. As much as I would love a tree, I much prefer the idea of not having to dust a tree, daily, so this year we may stretch to some fairy lights… but that will be about it. It’s not all dripping taps and sadness though… I’ve had the loveliest opportunity to vent my Christmas spirit elsewhere…

Back in October, CALA Homes got in contact to ask if I would like to decorate one of their beautiful new show homes in preparation for Christmas. Knowing that we wouldn’t be able to decorate our own home this year, I jumped at the chance to get my Christmas spirit on! Milltimber Manor at Oldfold Village, is a collection of three, four and five bedroom luxury homes in the picturesque village of Milltimber, Aberdeenshire. Each property has been designed to reflect the character of the existing locale, and I have to say… CALA Homes has done a cracking job!

The property requiring some Christmas cheer was The Moncrief, a stunning 5 bedroom family home with a beautiful kitchen/family room opening out at the back of the house.

Decorated in a contemporary, yet classic style, the Moncrief exudes luxury. My festive focus was on the living room, a sophisticated space, decorated in the most delicious Mocha and cream shades: foxed mirror and rustic wood adds character and depth, keeping the space from being ‘too’ formal. Could I translate this style into Christmas decor? One thing I knew for sure… there was no place for tinsel in here.

How I Decorated The Moncrief Living Room at CALA Homes.

As I didn’t want to overpower the room with too much decor, I knew that I wanted the few items that I did choose, to have impact: mainly focusing on the tree and mantle. I chose a 7ft artificial tree as I wanted the main focal point to be as unapologetic as the room itself. There are lots of super-realistic options out there and I found this one at a local garden centre. If you are unable to have a real tree, then I feel it is important to invest wisely in an artificial one that will last a lifetime.

I decided to keep with the ‘luxury neutral’ theme, opting for soft gold, pewter and chocolate tones, with a warm coppery pink shade thrown in for good measure. The whole look is lifted with cream hydrangeas and plenty of sparkle.

To keep the look interesting, I like to vary the texture and scale of the baubles. This adds depth, especially when you hang the larger baubles deeper in the tree, keeping the smaller ones nearer the tips. Further interest was added with a berry garland… think of this as the tinsel on this tree. The whole look was topped with a mercury glass effect star.

As for the mantle, I wanted to continue the colour scheme from the tree, to create a bountiful display of flowers, baubles and greenery that would spill over the edges. Christmas is no time for minimalism. Fine branches of willow add to the softness of the look, as does the addition of sprigs of the same berry garland that wraps the tree.

To avoid the cluttered look, I kept all other accessories to a minimum. The warm glow from the mercury glass trees bring life to the coffee table, whilst a scattering of copper wire lights in baskets and over artwork, give a magical feel to the Moncrief living room.

My Top 5 Christmas Decorating Tips To Get The CALA Homes Luxury Look

Choose a colour palette that won’t battle with the room. Co-ordinate with your room colour scheme and look at the materials that are already in it. Add life with sparkle and glitter.
Give your tree extra dimension by adding in flowers and berries in your colour palette.
Don’t clutter the space with lots of small accessories. Choose larger pieces as focal points that add drama.
Don’t go at it half-hearted. Whatever size your tree is, fill that tree up with baubles and decorations. Think ‘bountiful’.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get festive. Add that magical feel with twinkly copper wire lights.