A global field guide to design, (life)style and secret finds
est. 2007

  1. Wee Trend: Gold Christmas Theme

    Scandi style with splashes of gold is one of the key looks for Christmas 2014, as seen here by Ferm Living.

    Scandi with a splash of gold is the look for Ferm Living's Christmas 2014. Photography courtesy of Ferm Living.

    After a year where metallics reigned supreme, it's no surprise that one of the key themes to emerge for Christmas 2014 is gold. It's certainly one of the more traditional and obvious Christmas themes, but this year it's been interpreted with a modern and Scandinavian-inspired spin. Look to Ferm Living for inspiration and you'll see touches of gold worked back with timber, white, neutrals, and greenery.
    A mix of gold-speckled ornaments adorn Ferm Living's Christmas tree. Photography courtesy of Ferm Living.

    A mix of gold-speckled ornaments and garlands adorn Ferm Living's Christmas tree. Photography courtesy of Ferm Living.

    Gold also featured as the key theme for Christmas at IKEA, and if you're looking to buy a lot of gold ornaments, make a beeline for their bulk packs of gold-toned baubles. IKEA's rolls of assorted gold gift wrap for $2.99 are also very good value.
    Add a touch of whimsy to your Christmas table with IKEA's hanging stairs and gold baubles.

    Add a touch of whimsy to your Christmas table with hanging gold stars and piling gold baubles on a plate. Photography courtesy of IKEA.

    I'm not traditionally a "gold" girl, and I don't own an awful lot of gold-toned pieces in my home. I do, however, have a silver Christmas tree packed with colourful vintage ornaments, and my decorating approach to Christmas is "more is more". But I've since discovered that working a touch of gold into Christmas is actually pretty easy, and it doesn't have to be an expensive exercise. One of my best buys for Christmas this year is the $5.95 gold-coloured charger plate from Freedom. The oversized dimensions and luminous sheen packs a visual punch on the Christmas table, and it's a versatile piece that can be used in a number of ways. Think of it as a platter and make a statement by piling it with loads of cheese or fruit, or use a gold charger plate for each place setting and layer your white dinnerware on top.
    Christmas entertaining at home with Wee Birdy, via WeeBirdy.com.

    Make a statement with pudding - and the Celebrate ‘Eat, Drink & Be Merry’ gold plate and Entertain gold charger plate, $5.95; both from Freedom. Photography by Lucas Boyd for Wee Birdy. Styling by Diane Birol/Freedom ID. Production by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd/Wee Birdy.

    The key to pulling of this simple Scandi-inspired look is to keep your touches of gold restrained, and preferably graphic. Think geometric shapes and prints, and use gold as a highlight colour, rather than the domineering theme. A great example of this is the gold print table runner and matching napkins at Freedom. I always buy a few new Christmas ornaments every year, and this year I went for gold. I headed to one of my favourite Sydney independent shops, Little Paper Lane, and bought three geometric faceted decorations for $12.95 each. Little Paper Lane is a treasure trove of paper goods, stationery, wrap, greeting cards, homewares and gifts. They also have an impressive line-up of Washi tape, and I couldn't resist their gold glitter tape, which I plan to use on all my Christmas cards and wrap.
    Christmas entertaining at home with Wee Birdy, via WeeBirdy.com.

    Gold faceted geometric decorations from Little Paper Lane, $12.95 each, with air plants from Bunnings, along with Entertain marble serving board, $34.95 and Scribble placemat in gold, $3.95, both from Freedom. Photography by Lucas Boyd for Wee Birdy. Styling by Diane Birol/Freedom ID. Production by Rebecca Lowrey Boyd/Wee Birdy.

    I used the geometric ornaments as a way to add greenery to my Christmas entertaining. I simply placed a tiny live air plant ($6.99 each from Bunnings) in the middle of each of ornament, and arranged them on the side of a simple white marble platter from Freedom, piled high with mince pies. I'm planning to hang the air plant ornaments in my bedroom after Christmas, so they will have a long life beyond the festive season.
    Mini candy cane gold lustre porcelain Christmas ornaments $58.11, from Jo Heckett's Etsy shop.

    Mini candy cane gold lustre porcelain Christmas ornaments, $58.11, from Jo Heckett's Etsy shop.

    If you're after a beautiful handmade heirloom ornament for Christmas, look no further than Jo Heckett and Red Raven Studios on Etsy. Both of these talented makers use real gold (lustre and leaf) to embellish their collections of stunning white porcelain ornaments.
    Porcelain and gold leaf acorn ornament set of three, $29.70, from Red Raven Studios' Etsy shop.

    Porcelain and gold leaf acorn ornament set of three, $29.70, from Red Raven Studios' Etsy shop.

    Porcelain and gold leaf feather ornament, $17.32, from Red Raven Studios' Etsy shop.

    Porcelain and gold leaf feather ornament, $17.32, from Red Raven Studios' Etsy shop.

    Vintage gold ornaments are also in abundance on Etsy. Keep an eye out for vintage gold angel ornaments and candleholders that look utterly contemporary right now.
    1950s vintage angel candleholders, $71.77, from Nacho Kitty's Etsy shop.

    1950s vintage angel candleholders, $71.77, from Nacho Kitty's Etsy shop.

    Here are more of my favourite gold-themed Christmas finds to deck the halls of your nest. Just click on each product image below to be taken directly to the shop to buy.
    Tell me: are you decorating with gold for Christmas? You might like to see how I worked gold into my decor for Christmas entertaining this year. Still shopping for Christmas? Don't miss my gold-themed Christmas gift guides for 2014: 40 Designer Gifts Under $50 35 Gold and Glittery Presents for Her
    Posted at 8:59 pm in Christmas
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