Christmas is all about traditions isn’t it? My feed is full of people chatting about how they have a set roster of family traditions, which they are currently working though with their families.
That is what the whole basis of Christmas is focused around. Age old traditions that families look forward to and hand down through the generations. And as your children grow up these traditions change, some stay, but not all of them.
This year in my endeavour to do things differently I have completely changed the way we have decorated our home. I say completely, we still have a tree. Well, we now have 2 trees.
A white tree in muted pastels quite understated and pretty. And then the OTHER tree a tree full of colour and vibrancy.
It’s the first year we have put a Christmas tree in the kitchen. Which is crazy as this is where we spend all of our time, where we entertain and hang out as a family. Yet we have never put a tree in there!
The theme had to be travel related as the tree would be nestled amongst our much loved travel photos. Which over the years has become a gallery of memories from our family travels. Nothing else would fit!
It also had to be bright and vibrant to fit into our black gloss kitchen, I wanted to create something bright and colourful that was a complete contrast to our other more muted tree. My chosen theme is Tales of the Maharaja. Which is an opulent range of glistening jewel tone baubles and decorations, perfect to brighten any family room, in our case the kitchen.
The freedom of being let loose with bright colours was wonderful and the more vibrant the better. And With no understated decor to fit in with I could really go to town on the John Lewis website. Our kitchen was screaming for vibrancy, colour and life and this is exactly what this beautiful, bold and bright theme gives the kitchen. An injection of exotic Christmas, tales from far lands, inspiring travel and adventure.
But also choosing realistic looking tree that can withstand the heat of the Christie household without dropping its needles. And that is tall enough to not get swallowed up with the high ceiling in our kitchen and the cave like darkness created by a black gloss kitchen. A 7ft tree full of colour is just perfect for this space.
I love that it is acceptable to have more than one Christmas tree!
Christmas is all about having fun, celebrating that is good and colourful in the world. And embracing that in the home is the perfect place to start. Our kitchen feels so festive and as we enjoy a pre dinner glass of wine, battle homework or just hang out, the lights are twinkling in the background lighting up our wall of adventures. But also inspiring new adventures and travels for the years ahead.
Check out John Lewis for some great decorating tips. My top tip is be brave go for a huge tree to impose a space. And fill it with things that make you smile, whether that be bold colours or muted tones, Christmas is about doing what makes you happy.
Oh totally. We have one in the living room (pink) and one in the kitchen, turquoise. Every year I ask if it’s worth bothering with the kitchen tree, and get resounding yes – as you say, we spend most of our time in here. Love all the colour of your tree. I think I need to embrace cacophony a bit more to blend the children’s choices in!
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Ah thanks Helen yes I have to say I am loving having a tree in the kitchen x
The pictures are lovely. I love John Lewis, I always find their stuff really tasteful and high quality. I may go and shop at John Lewis for the baubles because we already have a Christmas Tree, but it can do with some jazzing up 🙂 x
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Yes I have to say Leyla they are all such great quality and I just love the tree x
Love the idea of a Christmas treein the kitchen – especially if it’s the heart of your home! Really beautiful tree. I’ve got loads of John Lewis ornaments in my collection and I love them.
#HomeEtc
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Thanks Karen, I have to say it fits in so well, I am loving having a tree in the kitchen x
I think it’s such a great idea to have more than one tree especially if you have space for it and have another room where you spend so much time. I LOVE the colours you’ve gone for, so beautiful and bright. Thank you for linking up to #HomeEtc X
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Ah thanks Lins, I have to say I am enjoying having two trees x
How beautiful and bright are those decorations and I love the idea of a travel inspired tree. I wish our kitchen was big enough for a tree, but you can barely swing a cat in it x
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I know I have no idea why I never thought of it before ! x
Ohhh Sarah!! I LOVE your travel inspired tree!!! I was shopping yesterday and they had glass baubles shaped like suitcases and planes!!! They’d be perfect for your tree! It’s not bad for a fake, is it? We buy a real 7ft one every year — that’s my most favourite Christmas tradition — plus we buy a couple of new decorations each year too. I love this time of year so much!! Gorgeous pics hun xx