We all have our own ways of decorating our houses for the Christmas holiday and often these will be the same from year to year. If you are looking for some new ideas then read on to discover how interior decorator and designer Francis Sultana has decorated his home. This comes from an article by Emily Senior over on the House and Garden website.
One of the first things that strikes you about the chic decorations in the designer Francis Sultana’s drawing room is the familiarity of the textured gold plinth on which the tree has been balanced. ‘It’s actually a table by?Fredrikson Stallard,’ he says. ‘I just covered it with cellophane and padded the base of the tree with moss. Christmas is a perfect time to look at what you already have in your house and find new ways to bring it to the party.’
There is a sense of playfulness about Francis’s style – be it as designer, art consultant or artistic director of David Gill Galleries – which is evident in the decoration of his London flat; a place where modern pieces by Zaha Hadid, Mattia Bonetti and Richard Prince nestle comfortably against the building’s intricate Georgian plasterwork.
This same light touch is equally successful in his approach to Christmas. ‘I like decorations to be elaborate, but with an artistic focus,’ he explains. ‘I grew up in Malta with a romanticised vision that everything about an English Christmas was spawned from the mind of Oliver Messel – glittering snowy landscapes and decked halls. I still buy in to elements of that, even though my flat is quite modern. I wanted a look that was festive but tailored.’
The Tree
‘Your tree should be proportional to the size of your room, yet also significant and impactful. The Fredrikson Stallard table used as a plinth adds height, while the moss round the base of the tree disguises the unattractive pot in which it is planted.’
The Mantle Piece
Rachel Whiting
‘I made these arrangements myself very simply using moss and twigs from The Chelsea Gardener, but if you live in the country I recommend gathering your own decorations in the hedgerows. Bare winter branches have a delicate look that is more modern than evergreen plants such as holly.’
I am a keen gardener and so created Garden Pics and Tips for people who love gardens and enjoy great pictures of plants and gardens. Also covered are practical tips on all aspects of gardening.
