During my years as a visual merchandiser, I quite often had the pleasure of working with the Salt & Pepper range. Beautiful items which are of a fantastic quality and are also very affordable. S&P have always had their own unique look while staying on trend with current interior styles. Almost everyone I know has at least one of their pieces in their home and I’m sure wouldn’t say no to adding another item this Christmas. Below is a selection of goodies put together by S&P to suit everyone’s style this festive season. A gift for every one which can be used not only at Christmas, but in every day life as well.

 

GIFTS FOR THE HOME DECORATOR

Possibly the hardest people to buy gifts for. They can be fussy. They know what they want. And they tend to buy what they want when they want it… So knowing what to get them can be difficult. Trust me, I’m one of them so I know well how difficult we can be to buy for. S&P have a large range of decorative items including woven baskets, photo frames, lamps, planters and more, which home decorators will certainly approve of. My favourite piece from this range has to be the Zeppelin vase in green.

 

GIFTS FOR HER

You mum. Wife or girlfriend. Sister. Friend. They deserve something special for Christmas. Salt & Pepper have a great range of items to decorate with and that are also functional. My favorite gift in this selection is definetly the Luna swing chair. It comes in black and natural and retails at $129.95. Other items suited for that special lady in your life include decorative bowls and planters, lanterns and scented items including candles and diffusers. A beautiful range of gift items to choose from that are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of the receiver.

 

GIFTS FOR HIM

It can be so difficult to buy gifts for men. I struggle with what to get the males in my family, so love when I come across a gift guide like this one from S&P to give me a helping hand. I love the idea of getting my husband something like the Bond whisky set as it’s something he would appreciate and enjoy. And it’s also an attractive item that would like great in our home. So I win too. 😉 Anything to do with alcohol or cooking is usually a winner, so items such as cocktail shakers and cheese boards are sure to be a hit with the man in your life.

 

GIFTS FOR THE ENTERTAINER

Tis the season for entertaining and celebrating. And so, a gift for the Christmas table or in the kitchen will be very well received by any host and entertainer. A gorgeous punch bowl set, serving trays or some beautiful gold salad servers will spruce up any table in your home or the home of you Christmas host this festive season. My top pick from these items is the Raaw dinner set, which is not only great for entertaining, but every day meal presentation as well. A great gift idea for anyone who takes pride when serving up a meal. Other matching items available in this range also.

GIFTS FOR ME

I have been lucky enough to style and photograph some gorgeous pieces from the Salt & Pepper range. These items are perfect for any home decor lover and are both beautiful and functional.

The Hudson utensil multi purpose holder is a fun addition to any kitchen and perfect for someone who likes to cook up a storm. The two in one kitchen accessory is both a utensil holder and a phone or pad holder. The perfect spot to place your device while reading a recipe. Available in white, blue and charcoal, and with gorgeous timber base, the utensil holder retails at just $29.95. Making it a very affordable gift to give a loved one this Christmas. Find it here on the Salt & Pepper website.

 

 

Every home needs a serving board for both decorative and serving purposes. When I’m not using my MADEIRA paddle, it sits in the middle of our dining table holding our salt & pepper grinders, coasters and some decorative pieces. And when we are entertaining, it will become our serving tray. The gorgeous natural mango wood paddle, with roped handle, retails at $59.95 and is not only a great gift to give, but perfect to use to serve up yummy treats on Christmas day and beyond. Find it here on the Salt & Pepper website.

 

I am loving natural decor items for the home at the moment and the IRIS footed bowl is definetly one of my favorite pieces in the current Salt & Pepper range. Each hand crafted terracotta bowl is unique, featuring slightly different textures and colours. Retailing at just $39.95, this piece has so many uses including a serving bowl, planter or decorative piece. I’m still deciding what to use mine for…I think after featuring on dining table at Christmas, it might be filled with succulents and used as a decorative piece on our dining table. Find it here on the Salt & Pepper website.

 

Is it really Christmas without a touch of bling? The gold Pollock salad bowl is sure to impress any guest this Christmas. The gold splatters add some fun to the Christmas table and is the perfect item for serving your favourite salad or dessert in. Retailing at $39.95, this bowl can be used for any special occasion at any time of the year and would be a well received gift for the entertainer or home decor lover. The Pollock range also includes a matching dinner set, mugs and a platter. Find them here on the Salt & Pepper website.

 

I don’t know about everyone else, but a cheeky alcoholic beverage or two is a must have on Christmas day. Of course Santa (dad) will be likely to knock back a few whiskies as well. These BOND tumblers are the perfect addition to the festive season, both to give as a gift and to use. One thing I personally don’t like, is drinking from cheap, thin glass/ware. The Bond tumblers are thick and have a good weight to them. Giving them an overall classy look and feel. Retail price is $39.95 for a set of 4. Find them here on the Salt & Pepper website.

 

To view the entire range of items to give as a gift or maybe even keep for yourself this Christmas, and to find your nearest stockists, head to the Salt & Pepper website here. I love the S&P slogan ‘Salt & Pepper is Fashion For Your Home’, as it really is. Something special for everyone one. Every home. Every style. And every budget. Happy shopping and a very a very Merry Christmas ❤

Zoe – The DIY Decorator  

Back when I was studying for my interior diploma, one of the subjects I enjoyed learning about the most was the history of furniture design. I went in to the course thinking furniture was just something appealing that looked nice within an interior. I finished the course with a whole new appreciation and respect for all furniture designs. Pieces made in the Modernist furniture period especially are some of personal favorite designs. To own one of these original designs would be amazing. However, finding an original and being able to afford one is something that someone like me can only dream about. But that doesn’t mean we have to miss out! Places like Amart Furniture, are offering amazing and affordable replica furniture pieces which the every day home decorator, like myself, can own.

For today’s blog, I have the pleasure of working with the Oslo replica coffee table from Amart Furniture. Click here to view and for product info on the Amart website. A classic , Modernist design with an affordable price tag (currently on sale for $199, down from $249. Bargain!) I have loved this design from early on in my decorating career, so it was easy to choose which coffee table would be perfect in our home. A coffee table is a key piece to a living room. So choosing one that suits your style is key. This glass top table is both perfect for my home and my personal style of decorating. The timber base ties in perfectly with the other natural elements throughout my interior and the unique shape is perfect for our little living room space.

When picking a coffee table that is right for you, consider the following. Is it a design you are happy with and fits in with your interior? Don’t always opt for items which are in trend. Trends don’t last, so choose something that you actually like and which looks like it belongs in your home. Is it practical for you and your family? If you have kids and don’t like cleaning fingerprints off the top of the table, avoid glass. Is it functional? Are you looking for something with storage or just somewhere to place items upon. Does it fit in the space it is going? Very important! Don’t buy a small coffee table if your room is large, and don’t by a huge table if your room is small. Measure the space you have before heading to the shops. If you aren’t sure what you want, jump online for a browse. Amart have many other great designs apart from the Oslo which are perfect for any style and any budget. Prices starting from just $59. Click here to see the many other coffee table designs in their range. Above left are a few more of my favorites from Amart as well.

Happy shopping and decorating!

Zoe – The DIY Decorator 

 

It may come as a surprise to some that I am a bit of a Christmas Grinch. Yes I’m obsessed with home decorating. But Christmas decorating has never been something I could get in to. The rule ‘red and green should never be seen’, I’m a big believer in that and think that’s why I’ve never never gotten into the Christmas spirit and decked out my house with 101 holiday decorations. But, with a 3 year old who is extremely excited for Christmas and a 6 month old who in time will be just as obsessed, I though it was time to ditch my grinch ways and turn our home into a into something Santa himself would be proud of.

BUT there are rules. No red and green. No tinsel. Minimal glitter. No over the top decorating and no battery operated plush chrismtas toys singing irritating Christmas carols (OK, maybe there’s a little touch of grinch left in me still…). So what I have come up with is a natural themed Christmas full of gorgeous white, timber and gold items. A theme that I love in every day decorating so figure I will also love it in Christmas form. With the help of some amazing small business, I have had the pleasure of styling with some gorgeous Christmas items within my own home to share with you how to style your own home this Christmas if a natural theme is up your alley.

THE TREE. The main attraction and must have item when it comes to Christmas decorating. But, you don’t have to settle for a traditional green tree. These days white and even black trees are very popular. Or an alternative such as a twig ladder tree, a fabric banner tree or even wall decal trees and are a great alternative. This matte gold removable tree sticker to the left from Moonface Studio is a great alternative if you don’t have room for a tree or have tree destroying kids or pets… My tree was a bargain buy. Just $7 in the after Christmas sales at Kmart. I would absolutely love to have a real tree! Maybe next year I’ll be able to convince my husband that we need one.

• Artificial Christmas Tree. Kmart.
• Christmas tree wall decal. Moonface Studio. Website. Instagram. From $43.

TREE DECORATIONS. A combination of natural and non coloured ornaments mixed with a little sprinkle of gold is a great combination for any Christmas tree. The ornaments pop against the green and although lacking in colour, are really eye catching when hung on the tree. I’ve used a combination of small business items, retailer items, home made DIY items, along with some cheap eBay decoration wish I’ve used just to fill the gaps. Buying a special decoration each year and adding it to the tree is a great tradition to have with the kids, and one that I myself will be doing from now on (since I’m no longer a grinch 😉). Personalised ornaments are also a beautiful addition to a tree and make decorating it all that more special.

• Felt ball snow flake ornament. Hello Red Hen. Website. Instagram. $4.95/set 3
• Personalised name baubles. Famille Designs Website. Instagram. $15
• Recycled tea bag decorations. Import Ants. Website. Instagram. $18/set 4
• Paper Diamond drop decoration. Pol & Pom. Website. Instagram. $12
• Acrylic personalised ornament. Design Mummy. Website. Instagram. $15
• Felt ball wreath decoration. Hello Red Hen. Website. Instagram. $12.95/set 3
• Bamboo personalised ornaments. Arlo and Co. Website. Instagram. $15
• DIY baubles. EBay (search plastic baubles) Prices vary from each supplier. You can also pick up similar ones from Target, The Reject Shop and Riot Art & Craft
• Personalised LED baubles. Creations by Han. Website. Instagram. $18

GIFT WRAPPING. My all time favorite gift wrapping is plain, brown paper. It’s cheap. You can use it for other occasions throughout the year. And it looks great! The simple combination of the brown paper, some twine and a gorgeous Christmas gift tag, to me is a beautiful way to present a gift. The addition of some fresh rosemary from the garden makes it that extra special. For this theme, you could also use a plain white wrapping paper. Some recycled newspaper or to add a little more sparkle, some gold glitter wrapping. For an added touch, a personalised bamboo name tag such as the ones from Arlo & Co not only look beautiful, but are also a gift as they can be kept by the recipient too.

• Personalised Santa Sacks. Just Because Prints. Website. Instagram. $36.
• Bamboo personalised ornaments/gift tags. Arlo and Co. Website. Instagram. $15
• Large gift tags. Karina Prints. Website. Instagram. From $8.50/set
• Small gift tags. It’s A Monochrome Life. Website. Instagram. Free downloadable

THE GIFT. Any lover of a neutral themed Christmas will love a gift to match! My pick for a gift any mum would love this Christmas is a Morphy Richards kettle and/or toaster available from Harvey Norman and other electrical retailers. The gorgeous Scandinavian design is ideal for the home decor lover who loves a well designed, on trend piece for their kitchen. I love mine, Merry Christmas to me!! Click here to view the Morphy Richards range. $149.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOR THE KIDS. Something a little extra special for Christmas is giving the kids their own santa sacks and/or stockings. This year, we will give each of the kids a Christmas Eve gift in their personalised Small Print Design stocking and then their other gifts in their personalised Santa Sacks from Just Because Prints on Christmas day. To really make the Chrismas Eve experience fun, why not put out a treat board for Santa and his reindeer. Some cookies and a glass of milk for Santa and of course a carrot or two for Rudolph. Grandad Pats Treasure Trove offer great boards which can be personalised with your family name. Details below. To go with the board, a personalised scrabble art frame (Love J Frame) is something the kids will adore. Howe & Zo are a fantastic Perth small business who handmade many gorgeous timber items including these Christmas blocks. My son already loves playing with them. I am so excited to watch the kids experience Christmas this surrounded by all these gorgeous items.

• Personalised stocking. Small Print Design. Website. Instagram. $17.95
• Personalised Santa Sacks. Just Because Prints. Website. Instagram. $36.
• Personalised Chrismas Eve treat board. Grandad Pats Treasure Trove. Website. Instagram. $34.95.
• Christmas blocks. Howe & Zo. Website. Instagram. $35/set 5
• Personalised Christmas Eve scrabble frame. Love J Frame. Website. Instagram. From $49.50.

CHRISTMAS TABLE. Whether you like to go all out and dress the dining table for Christmas lunch or simply add a bon bon with your regular tableware, it’s fun to spruce up the table in celebration for a day of fun with family and friends. I like the idea of a little decoration without too much preparation. So for our natural themed Christmas table, I have put together a few simple items including dinner ware and cutlery, a linen napkin with a personalised name tag, and a delicious scented soap bon bon from Murphy & Daughters. All sat upon a glitter placemat from Kmart to add a bit of sparkle. To add to the table, I have run some of the brown paper gift wrap down the centre to create a table runner and have used some lantern string lights also from Kmart, along with some gorgeous Christmas scented candles from Aria Rose Collection to finish the table setting. Touches of greenery, real or artificial, compliment the natural items used and make the table setting pop.

• Fangipani scented soap bon bons. Murphy & Daughters. Website. Instagram. $11
• Bamboo personalised ornaments. Arlo and Co. Website. Instagram. $15
• Felt ball garland. Hello Red Hen. Website. Instagram. From $24.95
• Gold glitter placemat. Kmart. $1.50
• Irregular natural dinner plate. Kmart. $3
• Lantern string lights (party section). Kmart. $2
• Bamboo cutlery. Kmart. $3/pack 18
• Wooden bead cutlery hold and garland made by me. More info further down the page in the DIY section.

TABLE CENTREPIECE. If you have the room, it can be nice to include a centerpiece in the middle of your Christmas table. For this centrepiece I have used a white woven basket and filled it with a variety of Christmas items of varying heights to create an eye-catching centrepiece. The inclusion of candles and twinkle lights works well with the white and natural items and really makes the piece stand out on the table. The gorgeous timber Christmas scene from Habitat 101 is a gorgeous inclusion and one of my favorite Christmas decor items. The blonde timber model which lights up, plays music and has a little train which moves around will be loved by both the kids and adults.

 

• Christmas village scene. Habitat 101. Website. Instagram. $49.95
• Christmas Books. Perfect Print Co. Website. Instagram. From $45
• Tea-light village. Habitat 101. Website. Instagram. $19.95
• Copper twinkle lights. Habitat 101. Website. Instagram. $16.95
• Christmas village scene. Habitat 101. Website. Instagram. $49.95
• Paper Christmas tree. Habitat 101. Website. Instagram. From $14.95
• Christmas candles in amber jar. Aria Rose Collection. Website. Instagram. From $25
• Wooden bead garland made by me. More info further down the page in the DIY section

DIY CHRISTMAS. I wouldn’t be The DIY Decorator if I didn’t I include some DIY in my Christmas decorating now would I! Me and the kids had fun making some DIY goodies for the Christmas tree.

DIY beaded garland. A quick and easy DIY project simply using various sized wooden beads and some twine. I purchased my beads from eBay and the twine is from Spotlight. Simply create a loop at the end of a length of twine then string on your beads to the desired length. Finish with another loop then wrap around the Christmas tree. This would also look really nice with some twinkle lights wrapped around it.

 

Salt Cookie ornaments. Such an easy and fun project to make on your own or with the kids. There are no limits to what you can make with this recipe. We made some fairly straight forward ornaments but if you had the time (and patience) you could make some very detailed decorations. Simply make your ornaments, making sure you leave a hole to string twine through for hanging on the tree, and bake. Your salt cookie will then be rock hard and ready to decorate. You can paint them or leave them plain as the natural dough colour fits out natural Christmas theme well.

• Timber Christmas tree cake topper. Arlo and Co. Website. Instagram. $35
• Felt ball garland. Hello Red Hen. Website. Instagram. From $24.95

CHRISTMAS SCENTS. Ginger bread. A roast cooking or BBQ grilling. Some if the wonderful scents of Christmas day. I also love to have a candle or two lit just for that something extra special. A Gorgeous mulled wine, ginger bread or a frosted cranberries scented candle is the perfect special touch for a special occasion. The air filled with a fragrant scent is a nice treat for your Christmas guests. They are also a gorgeous gift to give to someone if you a guest in their home on Christmas day.

 

 

• Christmas candle in clear jar. Milkies Candle Co. Website. Instagram. From $18
• Christmas candles in amber jar. Aria Rose Collection. Website. Instagram. From $25

SOMETHING SPECIAL. Something personalised or a little different from the usual Christmas decoration, is a great idea for making your Christmas day that extra special. A family Christmas baubles to hang on the tree is a great way to personalise your decorating. It would also be a lovely gesture to give one as a gift to friends or family. These ones from Creations By Han are not only personalised, but also contain LED lights which you can turn on and off via an attached switch. They look absolutely stunning hanging on the tree! The stack of books from Perfect Print Co is one if my favorite items I’ve had the pleasure of working with for the blog. They are very unique and something to keep and treasure for years to come. And they look perfect amongst the other natural decorations in our home.

• Personalised LED baubles. Creations by Han. Website. Instagram. $18
• Christmas Books. Perfect Print Co. Website. Instagram. From $45

EXTRA TOUCHES. If you are a real Christmas fanatic, you will want everything on the day to be extra special and Christmas related. These gorgeous hand made tea towels by Riverlane Studio are that perfect addition to the Christmas table for our natural theme. These are not only items perfect to use on Christmas day, but also to give as a gift. The screen printed range includes tea towels, aprons and bunting (which looks stunning draped around the Christmas tree). Website. Instagram. From $17.

 

 

DECORATIONS TO USE ALL YEAR. Items such as these eco-friendly Christmas tree decorations aren’t just for Christmas. Using natural items to decorate with is a bonus because they aren’t red and green and so aren’t screaming Christmas. So you can use a lot of the items all year round. These decorative tress are from Import Ants and are actually made from coconut husk and other recycled products. Available in two designs, timber or wire base, they are long lasting, biodegradable and plastic free. And they tie in beautifully with the rest of our home decor and so I wont be packing them up after Christmas! Website. Instagram. From $13.95.

SOMETHING TO EAT. And also something you can make with the kids. My son Jack loved making these shortbread cookies with his Christmas stamp from The Little Cook Australia. My go to recipe for yummy biscuits that are easy to make in no time at all. Butter, sugar, vanilla essence and flour. Easy! Google simple shortbread recipe for full ingredients and method. Once the dough is made, simply stamp with The Little Cook Australia round Christmas tree stamp and bake. We are going to whip up a batch Christmas Eve to give to everyone on Christmas day. And some for Santa of course. Website. Instagram. $8.95.

I know it’s a lot to take in, but I hope the gorgeous items in this piece have given you some inspiration for your own Christmas decorating this year. I have been so lucky to work with some amazing businesses and simply stunning decorative pieces over the last few weeks and have really enjoyed styling up a natural, winter wonderland. And I actually think that the Grinch in me may be gone for good!

*keep your eyes on my Instagram over the next few days as many of the featured businesses will be offering discount codes for their online stores. Lots of saving to be had! 

Zoe – The DIY Decorator