The spirit of Christmas fills our homes with colour, light and the beauty of nature. Families gather together, sipping mulled wine, inhaling the scent of spiced candles and the aroma of baked goods wafting in from the kitchen. In this scene the fireplace is the centrepiece of the room, a focal point when guests enter the home during the festive season and the gathering place for families on Christmas day. The tradition has been passed down that Christmas stockings are hung from the fireplace to catch the coins Father Christmas tosses down the chimney. When it comes to Christmas decoration ideas to give your home a festive feel, consider whether you wish to embrace a traditional palette of reds and golds or if you prefer a minimalist, natural wood and white Scandi-chic look.

In this image, the Christmas mantelpiece decoration is timeless, elegant and abundant, with nature as its central theme. Using candlesticks of varied heights creates atmosphere. For Christmas decoration ideas to give your home a festive feel, look no further than this mantelpiece styled by Fanny Ward, decorated with dried hydrangea and a garland of pinecones.

Here are the Christmas decoration ideas to follow to recreate this look.

Fireplace

For hand-carved fireplaces in marble, limestone, sandstone and wood, plus inserts, grates and hearths, in stock ready for delivery and installation, there are over 200 readily available from English Fireplaces. Pictured, Camberley, a modern architectural, linear fire surround.

Candle Holders

These elegant mouth-blown glass candle holders are available in two sizes, small (£25) or large (£30) from The White Company. Aim for four (two large, two small) to capture the elegant symmetry of the fireplace pictured.

Faux Blooms

Decorate a Christmas fireplace with flowers and natural materials; the secret to ensuring flowers and pinecones last for the season and beyond is to opt for realistic-looking faux flowers and faux ornaments. Visit OKA for an autumnal hydrangea and hellebore bunch (£95).

Pinecone Garland

The finishing touch is a pinecone garland to hang from the mantlepiece. OKA’s garland draping the fireplace has the authentic appearance of pinecones, green leaves and pine needles.

Mirror

A vintage mirror enhances and highlights the mantelpiece. Norfolk Decorative Antiques are well-known for antique and vintage lighting, furniture and mirrors, including this circa 1930s Sunburst mirror pictured.

Lanterns

For very smart Regency and French style lanterns in brass, pewter, nickel, Verdigris, bronze and painted finishes inspired by 19th and 20th c designs, all made to order, visit Charles Edwards. Pictured a small Gatepost Lantern in Faux Patinated Bronze.

Baskets

Baskets made from natural materials are practical additions to the home as well as aesthetically pleasing. These rectangular log baskets with integral handles are handmade in English bulrush from Rush Matters.

Hand-crafted log baskets in two shades of willow with carrying handles, made in Britain, are available from Tinsmiths (£65).

Armchair

Cosy up in a comfy armchair for unwrapping presents or sipping champagne on Christmas Eve. The Ripley armchair pictured, in a French-inspired design with a hand-carved frame, is available in a choice of paint colours from The Dormy House.

Combining faux flowers and a pinecone garland with candlelight creates a Christmas scene that is relaxed and inviting. Add a lantern and light the fire to give the room a cosy glow. An antique mirror above the fireplace draws the gaze upwards, while the composition of candlesticks filled with candles of different heights adds visual interest. Echo the theme of nature with willow and bulrush baskets and ensure there is ample, comfortable seating for family and friends to gather together to give your home a festive feel this holiday season.

This is the first of a three-part series. Next week we will be featuring more Christmas decoration ideas for your home.

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