How to Style a Simple Australiana Mantelpiece
For a more simple and pared-back look, work with the existing interior style of your home, incorporating similar colours, tones and materials into your decorations. Try some of these tips to pull it all back this Christmas and enjoy the simpler side of festive style.
With soaring temperatures in Australia during the Christmas period, the fireplace won’t be used (unless you’re blasting the air-con and trying to create a white Christmas like our friends in the Northern Hemisphere).Decorate the interior of the fireplace with pine cones and other natural or rustic elements. You can still lounge in front of the fireplace and enjoy your simple creations, so place a few scatter cushions around and relax.10 festive fireplace ideas
Fresh floral arrangementsFor the lead-up to Christmas Day or when entertaining the majority of your guests, create a fresh arrangement on your mantel using greenery and flora. Eucalytpus is a lovely Australian touch and I have complemented these with Geraldton wax flowers (Chamaelaucium uncinatum). Layer the eucalptyus branches on top of one another forming a foundation, varying the direction of the branches. Once you are happy with the base, add the wax flowers. This arrangement should last several days without water. Another way is to set them vertically in vases, using varying heights and arrangements.
Work with what you haveDecorate with your own mementos from home, but introduce another colour into the scheme. You can remain traditional and bring reds into the mix then include greenery, as mentioned in the previous tip, to vases of varying heights. It’s a nice way to have your Christmas arrangements and decorations appear seamless within your home.
Hang string lightsA simple set of string lights can instantly add some cheerful twinkle to your mantel, while fitting in with a simple aesthetic. Choose a light with a warmer tone and a simple fixture. If you don’t have a power point handy, there are many affordable battery-operated indoor lights available. I picked these ones up from Freedom.The string lights even look great placed on the foot of the fireplace for a more relaxed approach. Experiment and have fun.
Light some candles in the evening and enjoy a clutter-free yet festive home. I couldn’t help myself, so I added a few extra baubles to the arrangement for an extra Christmassy touch.TELL USHave have you decorated your mantelpiece this Christmas? Tell us what inspired the look and share a photo in the Comments.MORE12 Christmas Holiday Traditions to Start NowFestive Styling That Embraces the ‘White Christmas’ Look10 Reasons to Love an Australian Christmas
Simple elementsDecorating with pared-back Christmas style means choosing a handful of elements and creating an effortless, fuss-free aesthetic. You want the decorative elements to almost seem like they’ve always been there, and aren’t imposing on your space. Work with what you’ve got in the Christmas decoration box but instead of bringing out everything, choose your favourite pieces and sit with these for a while. Move them around and eventually you’ll find the right spot. A Christmas star is a lovely element that creates the focal point on the mantel, or you could use a miniature tree, your favourite Christmas ornament or hang a stocking from the fireplace instead. Just concentrate on the less-is-more approach and you may be surprised by how happy you are with the bare minimum.A table dressed for an ‘Australiana’ Christmas
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