WebNovDec18

www.westendermagazine.com | 63
Start by choosing the dark wall colour. Take
into account factors like the ceiling height, and
natural light sources so that you can get a feel
for how a dark colour would work. Sometimes
dark can work equally well in larger and
smaller spaces but it depends on the room. It is
important to balance it with the colour used for
the floor, ceiling, skirtings and doors, and often
these work well in contrasting pale colours or
white, or so that you create drama and impact
rather than a gloomy cave.
Then decide whether you want to layer the
dark with navy or teal sofas or if you might
make a statement with a vibrant cherry red
velvet wingback or a bright green sofa. Then,
you can use the decorations to decide on your
preference for accent styles. For example
get your tree in situ and consider whether
you want to go for warm, soft white lights
and golden, brassy tones in the baubles and
decorations, or whether you’re leaning towards
icy bright lights with blue undertones and light
silver tones.
Your inclination in this process will really
help determine where you take the ambience
of your room to next. And as you create your
festive haven, start to pick up a few accessories
in the shiny tones you prefer, and that way you
can add these into the room, as you take away
the Christmas decorations, keeping that sense
of glitz and glamour well into the New Year.
If you also choose a statement accent colour
such as the green or the ruby red in a sofa
or armchair, bring this through in your
decorations. They’re bold, contemporary looks
on their own, but couple it with some holly
and berries, or poinsettia and it will really
sing Christmas to you as soon as you walk in
the door. Obviously, a roaring fire in the grate,
some mulled wine warming on the hob, and
some carols in the background would all pull
the picture together perfectly.
Whatever elements of this wintry haven
work best for you, can be intertwined with
fairy lights and shiny baubles as you decide day
by day what colours complement, and which
others clash. Look at everything in different
lights and think about creating soft lighting
pools in dark corners as there’s little natural
light to rely on at this time of year. Stick to the
warmer tone lights and lower level bulbs, but
find a balance and make sure you create cosy
and warm, not gloomy and grey, so use plenty
of light sources and vary direction with lamps
and uplighters.
To keep the festive feeling fresh throughout
the winter months, make sure you invest in
some fragranced candles. Cinnamon and
clove, spiced berries and pine all help to create
that festive feel and elongate it well into the
New Year as you gradually unveil your ideal
glamorous home.
Cassiopeia
Amber & Black