Adding a Christmassy feel to your Home
- Siobhan Lam
- Dec 11, 2014
- 3 min read
In our last Christmas Decoration blog post we chatted about sparkly light branches in vases and how to make a simple but fun star garland which could be draped across your freshly drawn chalk Christmas Tree! Now to be fair, not everyone has a chalkboard wall (nor do they necessarily want one!) so this time round we're only discussing decoration ideas that everyone can embrace!
THE XMAS CHALKBOARD CANVAS
First up - we've got a really fun and festive look that does require chalkboard paint but luckily no walls! This is just as effective as the chalk-board Christmas tree but with much less of the commitment.
What you’ll need:
A large canvas ( your local hobby shop will sell them).
Chalkboard paint (Try B&Q).
Paint brush
Chalk
Old Newspapers
1. Lay your workspace with old newspapers and pop your canvas down flat on the floor. Then paint the entire canvas and edges with chalkboard paint and leave to dry.
2. About four hours later check and see if the canvas is dry to touch.
3. Then have a think about what Christmassy saying you'd like to write - we choose 'Let it Snow' but some other nice but too cheesy ones include 'The First Noel' and of course there's always the solid 'Happy Christmas'. At this stage, you need to summon your swirliest writing and go to town. Think BIG and CURVEY!
Prop the canvas against a blank wall and arrange with some suitably festive decorations, April and the Bear have a glorious collection I hear (WINK) and you've just made yourself and rather stunning Christmas display that can be wiped clean and re-used in the new year!
Up next we have my absolute FAVOURITE way to decorate the house - it's so straight forward but gorgeous and effective to boot!
TWINKLING BELL JAR
What you’ll need:
Bell jar or something similar
Christmas Baubles
Optional : A string of fairy lights ( I would suggest warm white LED's)
1. Take your freshly cleaned glass bell jar and hold carefully by the handle and flip upside down.
2 A. Gather your Christmas baubles ( this part is solely down to you and your preferences - glam or subtle? We'll show you the difference later in the post!) and slowly place them into the bell jar - baring in mind that one side of the jar will be on show. So try and place the baubles in such a way that the strings and tops of the baubles are all to one side (the side you won't be displaying!).
3. Once the bell jar is full, place your other palm under the jar, flip and place carefully on your mantel/ shelf. Dot a couple of the Christmas baubles around the bell jar and some dried branches for a stunning Christmas display.
Now that might very well be where you stop, you've just created a lovely display - go grab a glass of well deserved Mulled wine! However if you feel like adding a dollop of sparkly panache to this look - keep reading!
2 B. Take your fairy lights and plug in ( bear in mind that this display will need to be near an electrical socket) and then slowly wind the lights into the upturned bell jar, sporadically pause and pop in your chosen baubles and continue until the jar is full. Again do remember that one side of the jar will be on show.
3. Then place your other palm under the jar, flip and place carefully on your mantel/ shelf. As we said earlier you can go for a gold and glam look here which is fun and oh-so festive (see above) or for a more subtle and sophisticated look go for more neutral baubles (my fave!) like these heavy paper spheres. Whatever look you go for please do use LED fairy lights, not only do they remain cool when switched on for long periods making them much safer to use but they also use less power. Result!
Happy Christmas Decorating Chums!
S x
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