Deck the Halls with Shabby Chic: A Rustic Christmas Decor Guide

Images courtesy of EL Gray

Each year as the Holiday season rolls around, decking the halls is as big a part of Christmas as shopping, visits from family, and singing about partridges in a pear tree. Decorating the house for many is not just traditional, it’s a way to express their creativity and spread some Christmas magic. The centerpiece of your holiday decorations is undoubtedly the Christmas tree.  

For a rustic, yet still elegant look, consider adorning your tree with shabby chic ornaments. Create this style with soft vanilla and off-white aged decorations. Distressed wooden ornaments and natural elements like burlap ribbons, beaded pearl garlands, lace bows and farm-style inspired baubles, mixed with soft textures will create a charming, cozy atmosphere. Spread the look throughout your home by creating soft pillows, coasters and table runners, made from a stack of recycled or secondhand sweaters you can grab inexpensively from a resale shop. Just cut out the shapes you need and sew the raw edges under or just finish with a thin bead of clear glue to keep edges from unraveling.

Embrace the nostalgia of Christmases past by incorporating vintage ornaments onto your tree. Mix heirloom decorations with antique-inspired trinkets that evoke a sense of timeless elegance. Create one-of-a-kind ornaments, by printing black and white family photos on cardstock, cutting them into oval shapes, and brushing them with a very light wash of tea, to make them look old while hanging them on your tree with thin burlap ribbons. Enhance the vintage aesthetic by using bold colors found in traditional plaid or the geometric patterns of kente cloth. For a more modern look, think of using different shades of one color, like blue or green for a monochromatic aesthetic, or completely switch things up and use only shades of black with gold accents.

Not into Vintage or Shabby Chic Christmas, don’t worry there are still plenty of styles and color choices out there spanning from a traditional green pine tree to a neon bright pink plastic one.   Deciding on your Christmas tree can be a fun and creative activity for you and your family.  

Here are a few more of this season’s popular themes to give you even more ideas:

• Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald tones instead of Red and green 
• Multiple trees are decorated differently, instead of one. 
• Use a large Vase or Basket instead of a tree skirt, to make the tree look like art/decor.
• All White Decor & Ornaments
• Selfie Ready Designer and Outdoor Decor with Golden Frames.
• Metallic Christmas trees for full-on sparkle.

Those who find their space, time, budget, or taste don’t lean toward decorating their whole house may enjoy decorating a wreath to be placed in a window or front door. A few glittering ornaments, fairy lights, and metallic accents will add plenty of Sparkle. Another idea would be to add a touch of elegance to your Christmas decor with a large wreath above the fireplace adorned with a  simple large velvet bow. Whatever your style – choose to have a wonderful Holiday Season.

• EL Gray is a designer and artist who loves creating beautiful things. Share your ideas for future articles you would like to see on our pages and your decorating, craft and art projects with her elzary@gmail.com