Design Experts

Samantha Pynn takes the hectic out of the holidays with simple festive flourishes

Samantha Pynn takes the hectic out of the holidays with simple festive flourishes

Photography, Virginia MacDonald

Kelly Ventura Art, Juniper Print Shop, juniperprintshop.com. Art printing, Poster Jack, posterjack.ca. Gold bowl, Teatro Verde, teatroverde.com.

Design Experts

Samantha Pynn takes the hectic out of the holidays with simple festive flourishes

Looking for easy ways to give your home sparkle during the most wonderful (and busy!) time of the year? Follow along for minimum-effort decorating tips that will give you maximum holiday style. 

Holiday Hues

When it comes to your holiday palette, I say work with what you’ve got. If your home is a sea of pale blues, go with ornaments and ribbon in deeper shades of navy and turquoise; or opt for analogous colours like plum and green. For a vibrant scheme, add decorations in complementary yellow and orange. I love a wreath hung from a jewel-toned ribbon in the window – no need for a bow, just loop the ribbon through the wreath and secure it to the wall. Take colour cues from art, as we did (right), and add flourishes from nature: a console topped with greenery and candles in vases or a large rustic bowl of pinecones, pears or chestnuts on the table is all you need.

 

Tree Tips

With so many of us living in condos, a giant tree isn’t always an option. Instead, opt for a small tree on a side table. To give a potted tree polish, wrap it in burlap and add a bow or display it in a basket or prized planter. Eco-tip: replant a living tree after the season. My go-to tree substitute is branches in a large vessel on a dining table or console. Leave the branches bare, hang your favourite ornaments or adorn it with sweet paper snowflakes. Pick up branches at the grocery store or nursery, or try a florist for specialty branches like willow or manzanita.

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Photography, Virginia MacDonald

“Feast-ive” Decorating

I’m a big fan of holiday decor that you can feast on! As many traditions do, this one stems back to my childhood. My mom and I would make our own advent calendar by hanging 24 chocolate angels on the tree. You can also hang gingerbread cookies, popcorn and gumdrops on garlands and trees. Glass jars filled with candy are a fanciful way to bookend a mantel, or fill bowls with clementines, plums or peppermints. Guests love the treats and there’s nothing to pack into storage once the holidays are over. Just be careful with sweets if you have children: on the second day of Christmas, my mom came home to me on the floor amid a sea of gold foil wrappers! Happy holiday decorating! 

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Stylish Holidays in a Snap 

  • Tie ribbon around cylinder vases with candles.
  • Use summery planters for mini trees or poinsettias.
  • No need to buy new vessels for small arrangements! Use teacups and drinking glasses for petite posies.
  • Sprigs of pine, cedar or a few magnolia leaves will give any arrangement or display an instant holiday vibe.
  • Unify mismatched pedestal bowls, cylinder vases and cake stands with raffia or twine.
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    Natya CONSOLE, $1,199, Mobilia, mobilia.ca.

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    Capiz WREATH with silver-plated pearls, $60, Indigo, indigo.ca.

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    Gloriana iron TABLE in brass-plated finish, $338, Renwil, renwil.com.

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    PILLOWs, Terrace 20" x 20" in Rust, $306; Berries 13" x 22" in Midnight, $259, Kelly Ventura, kellyventura.com.

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    Teardrop ornaments, $45, set of 4, CB2, cb2.ca.

     

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Design Experts

Samantha Pynn takes the hectic out of the holidays with simple festive flourishes