Decorating with African flair this Christmas
Many people decorating their homes this festive season will aim to also share their cherished memories of the past in the way they decorate their homes.
When decorating your home for Christmas this year, introduce symbols of South African flair such as ShweShwe fabrics, proteas and guinea fowl feathers.
Salt Rock-based interior design company Bellagio’s head decorator and project designer, Gen Daw, said natural elements such as eucalyptus stems and porcupine quills were right on trend.
She suggested personalising your home with elements that reflect your family, heritage and the beauty of our country, rather than creating an American-style Christmas.
“Incorporate and personalise your décor, not only according to a theme but also by bringing in your culture – something which does not need a big budget.”
Giving some practical advice, Daw recommended starting at your front gate, decorating it with tinsel and creating wreathes with which to decorate the trees in your yard.
Instead of making a traditional wreath, experiment with proteas or rose cabbage succulents.
Solar panel charged lights are excellent for decorating trees and even your front door.
Inside your home, Daw recommended pink and silver as a festive combination, using pink hydrangeas and pink Christmas balls, mixed with silver tinsel. Another fun combination is Tartan fabrics in reds, greens and golds.
Daw reminded us to focus on scents, as this is where the magic is made.
“Fill your homes with that warm, orange, cinnamon and clove scents which evokes the senses and reminds us of this beautiful time of year.”
Scented candles and oil burners are easily purchased, but can easily and more cost effectively be homemade (check out YouTube for easy tutorials).
Christmas in South Africa is as diverse and unique as living in the country.
Many people decorating their homes this festive season will aim to also share their cherished memories of the past in the way they decorate their homes.
“Growing up in game reserves as a kid, I recall with fondness my mother stringing tinsel and expandable foil cutouts from the centre point of the ceiling outward toward the cornices,” reminisced Daw, who loved foraging for their own Christmas tree (from the neighboring forestry) and eclectically decorating it with gifted decorations, old keepsakes and sentimental decorations – not theme specific.
Party Time and Accessories Ballito shop owner, Fiona Olivier said what she recalled of Christmas was the joyous feeling of families coming together in simple ways.
“I remember how we used to take empty bottles, stuffing them with colourful items and using these as decorations. These are things we did together in the build-up to Christmas and it really made the time all the more special.”
She urged families to consider spending more time in planning gifts to express how much a person means to them, as opposed to simply gifting them with something pointless.
“Putting in effort shows you are invested in that person and understanding of them – something which leaves a lasting impression.”
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