It’s that time of year again when homes are decked out with Christmas decorations. If one has to listen to the Philippine Institute of Interior Design (PIID), there is more to Christmas decorations than simply placing them anywhere in the house.
I’ve rounded up some notable interior designers who have given their input on how to make these items, making the home truly embody the Christmas spirit.
Christmas trees
Christmas trees are perennial fixtures during the holidays. PIID members show how to make the Christmas tree more inviting to give the holiday spirit rather than being simple and clunky outside of tradition. Dr. Jennifer Oledan Serrano took a Christmas tree and decorated it with pink, white, gold and red balls and ribbons that blended in with the surroundings of the house rather than emerging as a proverbial sore thumb. What homeowners need to understand is to first analyze the surroundings to determine where to place the Christmas tree. It is recommended to place it in the corner of the house where there are plants, brightly colored curtains, or when descending a staircase for multi-storey houses.
One of the popular Christmas decorations is the pilin (nativity scene). Dr. Jennifer Oledan Serrano takes the Belin collection and adds Christmas lights, candles, and some greenery to make it look vibrant. Pictures from PIID
For a Filipino vibe, as well as going organic, Dr. Jan Ri Guteng of PIID, Panay Chapter showed a large Christmas tree in the lobby area with lights inside and wrapped in translucent material rather than using leaves. Then it is decorated with ribbons and natural materials such as abaca. It can be topped with a star made of capiz.
Usually people decorate something attractive, but there are also those who go beyond aesthetics and give it an emotional element.
In the case of Dr. Ethel Dato Saariola, Director of the Board of Directors of PIID, she added black, white and gold to the Christmas tree. Black isn’t a typical Christmas color, but adding contrasting colors carries both tradition and modernity in equal grace. The idea is to let the colors seep into the furniture or accessories, thus strengthening the colors.
She was recreating the decorations around the tree by painting vibrant colours. She made use of the items available in the house by adding toys from her daughter and even cement decorations from her wedding to enhance the Christmas theme. More than just decorating a Christmas tree for the sake of aesthetics, Datu-Sariola has added elements that represent the stages of her life – her wedding and having a baby, giving her emotional meaning to her Christmas celebration.
This is also what Dr. Abigail Gobat did with her Christmas tree. She added some of her favorite things from her youth like a Disney princess, a Hello Kitty figurine, and small souvenirs from her trips abroad for a more personal touch.
Other decorations
The baleen (nativity scene) is another typical Christmas decoration. Dr. Lady Mayo placed it in the middle of the living room above the coffee table. The cushions in the surrounding furniture have red and white pillowcases along with some green plants that create a festive atmosphere inside the house.
Christmas trees are regular fixtures. Dr. Abigail Gobat of PIID adds her favorite things to give a personal touch to her Christmas tree because they represent her interests and endeavors.
For pictures of Pelin the Younger, Oledan-Serrano places ceramic pictures on a side table and decorates them with a mix of Christmas lights, candles, and some greenery.
In the dining room, she enhanced the table by adding red and green—candles, plants, and ribbons—and adding a lantern for a festive mood as families dine or dine on December 24th.
Perhaps a Christmas wreath is one decoration that can be displayed even after the holiday season is over. Wreath decorations can be changed to suit the occasion. For Christmas, greens and reds are a must. This decor provides a warm and welcoming feeling to those who come to visit.
Another decor that can sparkle is flowers. Along with the green leaves, a touch of flowers and red and pink ribbons are added for warmth.
after christmas
Members of the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID) showcase their creations to show Filipinos how to keep things fresh and create a holiday atmosphere at home.
PIID recommends storing Christmas decorations properly when it’s time to put them away after the holidays. They should be placed in the boxes they came with or use a sturdier storage box (not the typical cardboard box) to protect it from the elements and insects. These decorations can be used again and can be further improved to give a fresher look year after year.
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