Durban — This Christmas season is awash with blushing pinks and subdued hues that perfectly accent the fresh flowers and greenery that will adorn rooms and table settings as the festive atmosphere takes hold.
Moving away from the excesses that have come to dominate the month of December, this year will see a more toned-down approach with emphasis placed on enjoyment with family and friends.
Anita Bloom, Creative Director: Lifestyle, Design & Retail Portfolio for Decorex SA, said this year’s trends encouraged interaction and use of the outdoors, rather than introspection.
“The South African Christmas is about getting outside and enjoying the summer sun with those closest to us. Pool parties, picnics and outdoor feasts featuring colourful summer berries and sparkling wines is what Christmas 2017 is all about. But, rather than overindulging, the trend is to make the most of everything, putting meaning into each individual piece.”
Taking a cue from the natural world, the colour experts at Kansai Plascon have identified paint trends for the festive season that are inspired by soft, natural shades.
Cool colours like Mellow Blue are being used with classic blush tones like Shy Pink as well as with pinks displaying a more lilac undertone such as Sea Oyster. These are all grounded by striking, bold greens like Caribbean Current and accented by rich yellows along the lines of Glorious Gold.
Specialists in South African décor, @home, have also incorporated the emphasis on a simpler, quality narrative for this year’s Christmas season and translated it into a local context.
“This year, Christmas is about celebrating together in deconstructed luxe or modern grandeur,” said Renee New, Head of Marketing and Commercial for @home. “The philosophy is to buy less, but buy better and create longevity with sophisticated heirlooms and memories that can be passed on.”
New suggests bringing in some ‘old-world glamour’ with elegant whites and neutrals enlivened with oxidized silver or hints of gold. Cutlery and crockery sets can really bring the table to life, while natural table linens complement a beautifully simple and natural wreath on the door.
Greenery adds texture, as do a few delicate tea lights. This is all perfectly suited to the alfresco dining experience which is ideal for a sunny South African celebration.
“Choose earthy tones and add a few exquisite baubles for extra presence and glamour,” she said. “We have a selection of unique glass baubles available, each an individual design sold separately making it easier to pick and choose the ones you love.”
Christmas Colours
Gliding away from the loud bubblegum pink that was popular in the past, 2017 will see Christmas ushering in the soft pink hue of the ‘Millennial Pink’ trend. Dominating décor, furniture and fashion, this blushing colour will also form the delicate backdrop of the three Decorex exhibitions taking over Durban, Joburg and Cape Town in 2018.
“It’s a great idea to mix the blushes with different shades of pink and white with soft touches of metal and glass,” explained Bloom. “This really makes a statement, both for the table décor, as well as for tasteful Christmas tree decorations. Bringing in candles with their soft light also creates a beautifully cosy atmosphere.”
This same treatment of pink is being seen with paint trends too. The Kansai Plascon Colour Team recommends combining a shade like Pink Marshmallow with a few rose gold accessories to pick up the blush undertones, all while adding a sense of seasonal glamour.
Keeping it natural
This fresh and natural trend will breathe new life into your Christmas this year as flowers and green leaves weave their way into the décor. Take a trip to the local flower market for a kaleidoscopic selection or just bring the outdoors indoors by taking fresh foliage from your garden to enliven the Christmas tables. Scatter cushions in the garden is a colourful way to bring the indoors outdoors, extending the comfort of home for those relaxed midday picnics with family and friends. Put a home-grown touch on your Christmas décor by creating your own festive wreaths using green leaves.
Sparkling settings
The soft, neutral pinks and whites are perfectly complemented by the incorporation of matte gold cutlery and touches of different metals in your table settings. This contrasts beautifully with the natural elements of wood, glass and ceramics.
African craft
Personalise your table décor with handcrafted decorative accessories while walls can be stencilled using playful colours and designs. Localise the Christmas season by using ceramic plates with African prints either for decorative wall hangings or displayed on the table itself. You can actually extend your table theme with an over-pattern treatment on other surfaces. According to the Plascon Colour Team, the Plascon Polvin is a great option to incorporate in the shade of your choice. Enhance this further by creating a stencil which will transfer your creativity seamlessly from table to walls.
Mystical minimalism
Embrace the ‘less is more’ trend embodied in the Scandinavian ‘Lagom’ which encourages more frugality in all aspects of life. In Christmas, this ethos of moderation which strives for ‘adequate sufficiency’ translates into clever purchases and elegant minimalism.
“There are many subtle ways to make your home feel cosy without excess,” explained Bloom. “Using freshly cut flowers and leaves from your garden decor; home-made stencils on walls or re-decorating old plates are just some options.”
This same minimal sentiment is also coming through as a strong paint colour trend, especially as people try to find the perfect neutral for the season. The Plascon Colour Team recommends warm grey-white shades like Antique Petal as well as soft greys like Light Stoe Mandarin Tusk and Off Shore. When going for a more muted colour choice, a lusher texture is a great contrast, and the luxurious matt finish of Cashmere helps to achieve this perfectly.
Summer feasts
A great way to bring families together is through shared food in a beautiful setting which is why this Christmas, outdoor feasts incorporating summer fruits and healthy snacks are trending. Picnics in the garden with scatter cushions or elegant outdoor meals with gentle pink hues and contrasting metal and wood will create an inviting setting for festive feasts.
To create the perfect colour background for the outside space, a strong, grounding tone like Rogue is ideal, according to the Kansai Plascon Experts. It’s a particularly good shade when combined with natural greenery, as well as more vibrant colour pops like Hot ‘N Spicy Fuscia Fizz or even Lavender Veil By selecting Wall & All, you’re ensured a durable, long-lasting finish for any project in this kind of environment.