Christmas styling tips from DIY queen Annie Sloan

Chalk paint and DIY doyenne Annie Sloan is known for producing beautiful imagery, but this year’s Christmas pics stopped us in our tracks. Completely free of the usual Christmas tropes, Annie has a sophisticated and stylish take on the festive season. We caught up with her to tease out her best Christmas styling tips.

The role of colour at Christmas
Just like any other time of year, colour has an enormous impact on the way your home can feel at Christmas time. It pays to ask yourself, what is the holiday vibe you are going for? “Do you want your inside to reflect a winter wonderland in contrast to the warm summer outside? Or do you want to bring that warmth into your home too?” says Annie.

For instance, blues, silvers and whites can feel cold (which may be the frozen, stylish look you’re going for), while reds, golds and yellows will have a warmer feel.

Think beyond red, green & white
Many people have been thinking well beyond the usual red, green and white for a while now and it’s something that Annie encourages. “Any colour scheme can be made to feel like Christmas, especially in warmer climates such as Australia. Play on the red and green scheme and use a pastel pink or go deep and royal with purple and gold. The colour you use doesn’t really matter, it’s what you do with it,” says Annie.

And as for the key to pulling a diverse colour palette together, it’s all about metallics. “Whether gold, silver or even copper, metallics make a space feel more festive,” says Annie. We concur!

Easy DIY decorations
Christmas DIY projects are a great way to reuse old decorations and upcycle second-hand ones; both great options for minimising waste and environmental impact. “I love painting ornaments for Christmas – it’s an amazingly therapeutic exercise and one you can do with all ages, from grandchildren to grand friends!” says Annie.

Try painting or gilding pinecones – they can be used as table name holders, tree baubles or even bunting.

Christmas styling 101
“I have frames dotted all over my walls in varying size and placement, as well as furniture and sculpture dressing every wall. This keeps the eye moving throughout a room and makes the most of vertical space as well as horizontal space,” says Annie who recommends translating this idea to the festive season by placing presents and candles around the room at different levels – not just on the floor.

“Also, how about a bar stool with a gilded wreath on it? Or baubles hanging from the ceiling?” says Annie.