10 tips for Christmas decorating

GET set for the biggest decor dash of the year - for it's this weekend that Scots invest in some annual festive bling.

From the traditional Christmas tree to outdoor lights, it's the time when homes are transformed into a winter wonderland.

But before you reach for your baubles, a little bit of planning can go along way. After all, nobody wants to dazzle Santa for all the wrong reasons.

And according to Scots designer Eileen Kesson - who's been perfecting seasonal style for more than 20 years - the biggest no-no is turning the whole house into a mini tinsel town.

Eileen, from Dunblane, said: "The worst mistake people make with Christmas decorations is that they spread too little too far.

There's much less of an impact when you have little bits dotted around in every room.

"Instead, you want to concentrate the theme by grouping items together or using fuller looking, smaller arrangements. If you do that, the end results are much more effective.

"People with spacious rooms and large windows can play with the idea of having two or three key areas, but just one really nice, well co-ordinated arrangement can be just as effective if space is tight."

Working for one of Scotland's biggest house builders, 49-year-old Eileen knows just how much sparkle is needed to turn your home into a Christmas cracker.

She said: "Things like tinsel can look a bit dated these days but sparkle or glitter is still very much what Christmas is about.

"I think it's also important to keep decorations if you can because it builds a tradition full of lovely memories. The important thing is to be flexible because, like interior design itself, there's no rulebook about what you can and can't do.

"Moving the tree into the hallway can help to maximise its impact.

"Also the top themes to go with this year are sparkly, frosty whites and rich aubergine, purples and golds which is agood alternative if you like the feel of atraditional Christmas.

"But my advice would be not to get too hung up on fashions and trends.

Mixing new decorations with existing ones can work well.

"Swapping tinsel for white sprayed foliage or branches with silver highlights can bring a look bang up to date. And rather than hanging things from the walls and the ceiling, opt to decorate surfaces, stair bannisters and fireplaces instead, which means there's no need for tacks and tape."

Designing interiors for Stewart Milne Homes all over the country, Eileen knows what she's talking about when it comes to interior design.

Studying at Glasgow School of Art, she started her own design company, Envision, eight years ago.

Picking up countless Christmas tips over the years, she knows just the right touches to make in any property, even for homes that don't have much spare space.

Eileen said: "If they're short on space, people worry that they won't capture the Christmas spirit with their decorations, but there's plenty of ways to work the look.

"Even if you don't have room for a tree, you can still work with its elements - things like lights, branches and foliage. Even a large bowl filled with tree lights is festive and special-looking.

"On the high street a lot of shops offer twigs with small sparkly lights attached, which sit well in a large glass pot and add a festive touch for minimal floorspace."

Opting for a mix of traditional and contemporary in her own home, Eileen insists it's all about having fun.

And even if things don't turn out as planned, it's important to relax and enjoy the fact you've turned your home into something special.

She said: "At this time of year you can get stressed out, but it's vital to remember what it's all for.

"This time around I'm opting for classic Christmas colours in my own lounge and hall, but an all-white theme in the dining room.

She laughed: "But at the end of the day, it all depends on the amount of time and energy I have left over to work on my own home."



Make the most of your pad this Christmas...

1. Try moving the tree somewhere other than the window. Put it in the hall for maximum impact or if you have a dining kitchen, place it in the corner to create the perfect setting for Christmas lunch.

2. Unless you're going for a retro look, pack away the tinsel and opt for sprayed branches, bunched arrangements or stand-alone themed pieces.

3. Don't spread things around too thinly. Concentrate the theme in one or two areas to create atmosphere.

4. Mix old and new decorations for a homely look.

5. If space is tight, experiment with fairy lights or put baubles in a bowl.