Thursday, December 2, 2010

The Colours of Christmas

I'm a bit indecisive - and when it comes to decorating that translates into liking a lot of different colours and styles.  My same eclectic tastes come into play when it comes to decorating at Christmas.  Every time I see another colour combination or style I'm smitten.  Now the truth is we have so many lovely Christmas decorations accumulated over the years and they have such personal meaning that I really have no choice but to use the near and dear decorations we already own. 

That, however, doesn't stop me from fantasizing about all the great colours and styles that could be used at Christmas time.  Let's have a look at the ones I found. 


Classic Red and Green:
This colour combo is near and dear to my heart and, in fact, is what most of our decorations are.  It is classic, pretty, and evokes a Christmas feel without even trying.




BHG

Martha Stewart


Red and white:
I guess you could say this is a subcategory of red and green, but the addition of a lot of white and not as much green makes a difference in my mind.   This colour combination reminds me of Scandinavian decorating, candy canes, and Santa himself.  When used in Christmas decorating, it produces a fresh bright look.



 Martha Stewart

  Martha Stewart

  Martha Stewart

  Martha Stewart

  Martha Stewart

 BHG
 
 Country Living

Style at Home


Green and White:
Again this is a variation on the classic red and green Christmas colours.  Focussing on only the green, though, gives this a calmer more natural look.  It is interesting that it was much more difficult to find photos using this colour combo than any of the others, especially red and white.

County Living

County Living



Frosty white and blue:
This colour combination evokes a sparkly winter wonderland - icicles, glittery snowflakes, snowmen, and dustings of frost.  Being a blue lover this is a colour combination that I would love to try one year.  These photos really make my heart go pitter patter.

Martha Stewart

Canadian House and Home

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

BHG

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart


All that glitters:
Hits of gold and silver along with lots of white give you a glam, sparkly Christmas look.  In some ways this is a subcategory of the previous frosty white and blue look, but here the focus is more on the glitter and sparkle and less on the snowflakes and pure whiteness.

Style at Home

Style at Home


Style at Home

Style at Home

BHG


 Crate and Barrel

 Coastal Living

Country Living

Country Living


The natural look:
This is another look that is near and dear to my heart - a woodsy outdoor style.  When I think of natural Christmas decor, I think of birch logs, burlap, twine, berries, birds, deer, and of course evergreen boughs and pinecones.  Depending on where you live, though, this can take on a rustic cabin look, a beachy theme, or even a tropical or prairie look.   Although this style is usually fairly traditional it can take on a modern flavour as well.

Style at Home

Pottery Barn

Coastal Living

Country Living

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart


BHG

BHG

BHG

Style at Home

 Coastal Living

Country Living


Non-traditional colour combinations:
Some people love to do things a little differently, even at Christmas.  This is one of those styles that I love to look at, but don't think I would ever do.  Well I take that back, I would use turquoise (like in the first two photos - love them).  Sometimes the colours are just slightly non-traditional, though, say through the use of apple green instead of forest green or yellow instead of gold, but sometimes they are full out unique with pinks and purples and oranges or even a rainbow effect.  Hubby often gives me British decorating magazines in my stocking at Christmas and, in my opinion, using non-traditional colours at Christmas seems to be quite popular across the pond.  The British magazines were the first place I saw the use of turquoise and purple and orange in Christmas decorating. 

Martha Stewart


BHG

BHG

Coastal Living

BHG

Martha Stewart

Style at Home

Country Living

Style at Home

What about you?  What's your favourite Christmas colour combination?  As for me, I'm sticking with our traditional hodge podge of red and green this year, but it is to dream ...

16 comments:

  1. Grace, I like the red and white combination best, but my house is decorated in the nontraditional colors. I have use a lot of pink, silver, lime green, gold, red, and purple. I love this post. I could look at the pics you posted for hours. Thanks so much!

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  2. What a great collection of ideas. I can hardly wait until next Christmas - when I won't be under renovation and can actually decorate. Love the button tree. That is amazing.

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  3. Thanks for the Christmas inspiration Grace, I think I'll be back a few times to look at all your photos!!!

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  4. Like you I'm a red and green girl. I also like the other combinations but red is near and dear at Chrismas. Of course it was my favorite colour as a four year old. I guess some things Just don't change. I hope we get to see some photos of your "hodge podge". I bet it's beautiful.

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  5. Wonderful post Grace! I am like you too...when it comes to colours, I love everything but I can't justify buying new every year, I just try to rotate things and switch up what I already have. Angie xo

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  6. Oh my! The beautiful pictures are more than my eyes can stand!! Wonderful!! I love the inspiration!

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  7. WOW that must have taken a long time to write that post and credit all the photos. What a great overview on Christmas colours. I like the red and the natural, although my tree is a mix of vintage bits, so I have pinks and greens and oranges too, but I try to keep it low key on the other bits.

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  8. LOL.. I was just going to type "WOW, that took you HOURS!!" ... gorgeous photos, love the different themes... now I'm tempted to do some things over.. however the non-existent budget will stop me right in my tracks. Love the dishes in that first photo, with the simple tree set in the middle. Also love that white with rainbow bulbs tree... and the natural look as always drawn me in...

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  9. Such great photos Grace! I'm the same way. I can't bare not to use all of my things that hold great memories but a part of me wants to try something new too!

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  10. What a great post Grace, full of wonderful inspiration! I would look at one color grouping and think "oh I love that," then move on to the next one and think the same thing, so I guess I like them all!

    Kat :)

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  11. Grace, thanks for sharing the great collection of the many colors you can use for Christmas. They are all so pretty.

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  12. Hello there Grace....!

    THANK YOU so much for dropping by to help celebrate my 100th post....I was THRILLED to read we started blogging on the same day & I LOVE the idea of having a twin.... :o) !!

    Now I'm a red & green girl for sure when it comes to decorating for Christmas....I LOVE decorations from the 1950's & these two colours feature predominantly....Every year I think I might try another colour scheme but I just can't do it....I LOVE being able to visit with my ornaments & unwrapping them each year is a joy in itself....!!

    Well I must away....Your entries are in the tub & my toes are crossed for LUCK....!

    Cheers from Australia,
    Tamarah :o)

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  13. What an amazing feast for the eyes! I am now totally confused. My decorations are a bit of an eclectic mix of bits and pieces I have gathered over the years. I would love to have a colour co-ordinatated tree but can't bear to part with some of our family favourites. I absolutely love the button tree. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  14. So many beautiful ways... so hard to choose! I want them all!

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  15. Oh this post was fantastic!!! loved it all, so many unique styles and tastes :) And I plan on making some cinnamon stick candles (Martha Stewart), tomorrow...i can smell them already!

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