Our Christmas this year is going to be a relaxed affair. For the first time ever, it will be just the four of us on Christmas Day, at least until Ben leaves for work just after lunch, and then we’ll be down to three. Ben working is the reason we are keeping Christmas as low-key as possible, but instead of feeling hard-done-by about him working over the holidays (and the third Christmas Day in a row), this year I’m ok with it. It has its benefits. We can eat whatever we want, when we want. We can get dressed when and if we like (I like getting dressed up for Christmas, but it may only be for a couple of hours before I put my pjs back on). And we’ll be seeing family the weekend before Christmas and on Boxing Day so we’ll still get to celebrate with loved ones.
Come Christmas Day, I’m picturing a slow start, the twins’ unwrapping their stockings in bed, some easy breakfast nibbles, opening presents from under the tree and then a leisurely brunch. If the weather’s nice, the twins and I may join friends for an afternoon stroll before holing up for the rest of the day, playing with new toys and watching Christmas telly (I’ll definitely have my festive pjs back on by that point).
This cosy, simple and comfy approach to Christmas this year has had an effect on my decorating plans, as you can see by my Scandi-style Christmas inspiration Pinterest board. It’s all natural textures, comfy materials and simple decorations. Twinkling fairy lights in abundance and glowing candles add that warm, inviting, magical feel, without going all-out to dress the house up to the nines. Oh, and a real Christmas tree, but that’s a given. Christmas isn’t Christmas for me without that wonderful tree scent and beautiful branches.
Notonthehighstreet.com set me a Christmas styling challenge to recreate the look from my Pinterest board in my home using their products as part of their #NotJustTinsel Christmas campaign. I’ve taken the chance to give our bedroom a cosy makeover, with a subtle nod to Christmas – exactly how I want to decorate our house for the holiday season this year. Our blue bedroom wall has never felt as relaxing as I hoped it might, so we’ve swapped it for a lovely soft grey (Dusted Moss 2 from Dulux), which has made the room feel so much calmer. Now onto the key styling elements…
LINEN BEDDING What a luxury – honestly the most comfortable thing I’ve ever slept under. Pure bliss, and just right for lazing on Christmas morning. You might be hard-pushed to get me out of bed at all, to be honest. I also love the texture that the softly crinkled (hurrah, now it no longer matters that I can’t bring myself to iron bed linen) material adds to the room.
FESTIVE PLANT DISPLAY Plants have become such a big part of how I dress our home, so I wanted to create a little festive display. The planters add a contemporary feel with their monochrome, graphic designs, and again introduce a variety of finishes and textures, from the matt of the stoneware pots to the gloss of the acrylic moose planter.
DIY LIGHTBOX As soon as I saw the DIY letter lightbox I knew it was a must for our home – it’s modern and fun and we can update it depending on the occasion or season. It’s also a nice contemporary touch in amongst some of the more vintage and rustic elements.
NATURAL TEXTURES The seagrass basket, wool blanket, linen bedding and stoneware pots, together with things such as the rustic pine cones and houseplants, create interest and depth. I think without these textures the room could feel quite cold with its grey wall, but instead it feels inviting and comfortable.
What are your Christmas plans and do you have a theme in mind for your festive decorating? Maybe yours is the same every year – sometimes I wish I was that consistent! I like to think that this simpler approach to Christmas will be one that endures for our family – it definitely feels more ‘us’.
Products used: Linen bedlinen set in Dove Grey by Linen Works; Scandinavian throw by Henry & Future; Moose planter and Hand-printed fabric plant pot cover by Erinnies; Enamel mug by Dassie Artisan; DIY letter lightbox by peastyle; Natural souk seagrass basket by Rose & Grey; Stripe giftwrap set by Katie Leamon; Party dancing bear wrapping paper by Heather Alstead Design; Faja handcrafted pots by Henry & Future; all Notonthehighstreet.com
Follow Heather Young’s board Scandi-style Christmas with Not On The High Street on Pinterest.
Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with Notonthehighstreet, but all ideas, views and images are my own.
Ooh,I love everything you’ve done! I always go for a red and white Scandi theme- it reminds me of childhood Christmases in Finland with my my mum’s family!
Oh heather I love this! Especially the All is Calm and the wrapping! Spot on x
I like your inspiration for this Christmas and your work, Heather…Why? Because I’m in love with the Scandi style….they tend to be very simple in their ideas …everything is starting from wood, followed by leather, metal, linen, wool and furs, and the Nordic colour palette tends to be light and pale…simply gorgeous! Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.
Our Sukhi rugs are having the same “warm and simple character” : http://www.sukhirugs.com/. Each of it is unique … We want as many people as possible to discover the joys of owning rugs made by skilled artisans. What do you think? 🙂