2020 has been a year of unprecedented reflection. As Christmas 2020 hurries toward us, we've been reflecting on how we plan to celebrate it! Moreover, how we plan to style it...sustainably.
Let's face it; decorating is Cooper Robinson's sweet spot. There is not one person on the styling team who doesn't delight at the thought of decking a hall, or two. We simply can't help ourselves!
Left- Homemade wreaths with gum and sweet flowers. Right- Simple styling serves-up plenty of Christmas joy.
With all this in mind, and being absolute Christmas lovers at heart, we wanted to offer you a Christmas Guide with a difference. Stunning decorating tips that don't cost the earth, literally.
And beautiful, timeless, KEEPER gifts for you, your loved ones and your home.
Left- Minimalist Christmas styling. Right- Elegant gift wrapping.
THE BRIEF. The key to styling your home sustainably is to adopt a few rules. You've heard the term adversity breeds creativity, well here's a tiny taste.
Rules to get you started...
Use what you already have, perhaps rethink how you'd typically use an item.
Take a moment before adding to cart. Consider everything you bring into your home. Do you really need it?
Quality Over Quantity, if you must purchase something new, buy heirloom-worthy products made from sustainable materials, these will last you a lifetime.
Left- Reusable wreath frames from Country Road. Right- EyeSwoon Founder Anthea Calderone styles the perfect Christmas table.
INSPIRATION AND IDEAS. Looking to the past is always immensely inspiring, for both creativity and ingenuity. Who has ever topped the decorative heights of the classical structures of Europe, Asia and the Middle East?
In Tudor times, come the eve of December 24, tools went down and decorations went up. Women would blanket their spinning wheels with ropes of ivy for the official 12 Days of Christmas, rendering them unusable, and creating an unavoidable reminder, to all, that they were indeed on holiday. They wouldn't be spinning up a quick pair of socks for anyone. It would've looked wonderfully vibrant in a gloomy, mid-winter, English home.
And the lesson? Nothing is more dazzling than what nature has already gifted us!
Linen napkins, brass candles and rosemary details.
This year will see us binding together swags of foliage, draped around doorways, cascading down bannisters and generally looking festive and decadent.
Garlands of gum, peppered with foraged fancies will hang proudly on front doors and over summer's redundant fireplaces.
Flowers and foliage, fresh and dried are also winners when it comes to Christmas styling. From a small posy to a gallery-worthy installation, flora is your friend. As well as prominent places, such as tables and consoles, choose smaller vases and vessels to place in bathrooms and on sidetables- to up the luxury factor. Opt for native varieties whenever possible, but raiding your garden would be ideal!
Swathes of gum and candles create a beautiful mantle.
“It’s fresh;
trés chic,
and it’s
entirely compostable!”
Left- Plummy perfection. Right- Reuse & rethink existing decorations.
THE TABLE. The epicentre of Christmas festivities. Apply "the rules" to your table too, perhaps choosing one area to update each year, or as needed, is a do-able way to keep things current.
Timeless linen in dreamy colours, handcrafted ceramics or much-cherished antique and vintage pieces (crystal champagne coupes!) are unique and will override any fleeting trend.
Making your own Christmas crackers, sans plastic toys is an excellent choice. The addition of cheesy jokes is solely up to you, but we think it's a must!
Natural candles en-mass will give good-glow.
Bowls of ruby-red cherries and ripe peaches piled high can only evoke a feeling of wild abundance.
Fragrant bundles of herbs add culinary weight and trigger fond memories. Homemade sweet treats say "I Love You" like nothing else. Think the art of giving only comes with a bow? Think again.
Left- Stunning Champagne coupes! Right- A modern Christmas table.
THE GIFTS. The most important rule to follow when gifting is Quality Over Quantity. It's easy to be swept up in the Christmas retail experience, a mine-field of questionable choices. As with most things in life, a good plan makes things so much easier! So we've made a selection of KEEPERS for you! Consider yourself covered!
You're welcome.
CURATED: Clockwise from Top Left- Glass carafe by FERM Living from Design Stuff, Cushions by Citta Design, Braid rug by Armadillo & Co. and Marble bust by En Gold.
FIRED UP: Clockwise from Top Left- Ceramic Hand jewellery stand by Mette Ditmer, Connection ceramic rings by Atley.co., Vessels by L&M Home, Ceramic candle by Jardan Editions X Andrei Davidoff candle from Jardan.
USER FRIENDLY: Clockwise from Top Left- Anya basket by Oroton, Lamu jumbo tote by The Dharma Door, Washed linen bag by Citta Design, Jakob Kraft cooler bag by Papaya.
KIDS KEEPERS: Clockwise from Top Left- Framed Summer Fruits print by Middle of Nowhere, Wooden play set by Papaya, Swimwear by Seed Heritage, Personalised ceramic eggcup (set of 2) from Atley.co.
Wishing you and your family joy, health and happiness this Christmas!
With love from all of us at Cooper Robinson xx