The event designer known for his surreal and somewhat extravagant floral arrangements momentarily comes back to the classics for the upcoming holidays. And while one could argue that such a theme has been done time and time again, he deftly manages to make it anything but basic.
By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
Photography by Mark Chester Ang
White Christmas for the holidays? “Groundbreaking,” as a certain devil in Prada might say.
Only this time, she’d probably, actually mean it as a compliment.
The décor before us, after all, reimagines the otherwise common concept with the use of a wider range of textures and a richer palette. Those, plus a few useful hacks here and there, elevate the look in its entirety.
“I wanted to show an example of something that is both elegant and subdued. And for those who want the same for their homes, it’s good to remember that less could be more,” says Dave, who looks rather strapping in the midst of his creations.
There’s a practical reason, too. “Since we want to give tips for DIY Christmas decorations, I thought that it might be easier for people to build on what they already have. Chances are they’ve already done a White Christmas theme before. Now they can just add embellishments to their existing decor,” he says.
For this particular feature, the styling guru breaks down the theme into three elements that readers can do right in the comfort of their homes: a dining setting, a Christmas tree and accompanying wall garlands.
Without further ado, we invite you to take a ride on our virtual sleigh, as we bring you closer to a plethora of design ideas from Dave.
Landscape & Tablescape
No, it’s not a Nativity scene. It does, however, closely resemble a snow-covered forest that we’ve all seen on one too many a Christmas card. For this tablescape, Dave turned to a gorgeous confection of greens, whites and golds.
The first thing one sees are centerpieces that look like miniature, snow-covered pine trees. They are, in fact, called “GypsophiLOVE” trees, which are popular items on the newly launched DS Floral Atelier Curated Christmas Collection. Made from baby’s breath that are installed on strategically shaped wire meshes, these pieces can add whimsy to many of those upcoming Christmas dinners. They can also be made with different flowers, upon request.
These, along with the plates and cutlery, sit on a bed of fresh pine leaves and cones that Dave had imported from Holland. Not only do they look gorgeous on the table, they also emit that fresh smell of pine. “These can last for a few months, sometimes even up to a year. You can even stick them into your Christmas tree to give it a scent,” Dave says.
Incorporating function with flair, Dave uses white ceramic plates with hints of gold, an elaborate napkin holder, gold cutlery and gold-rimmed glasses from Casa Luxia. While all gorgeous, the star of the dinner setting is, in this writer’s opinion, the rhapsody of golden deer antlers that make up the resin charger plates.
Speaking of deer, these docile creatures also make an appearance on the tablescape through white and gold ceramic pieces that Dave bought from your favorite malls.
Finishing off the spread are gold candles that add a hint of romance, once they are lit.
Trees for a crowd
Nothing says Christmas as much as a well-ornamented tree that stands proud in your living room. It is a marker that the “-ber” months have, indeed, arrived. For some, it says that Halloween had come to pass.
Either ways, a Christmas tree is a symbol of joy — a focal point that invites family and friends to gather around, take a picture and open up presents, all in good company. In the time of COVID-19, it’s also very likely to be a sentimental source of light and love to finally wrap up the tumultuous year that was.
First off, Dave gives tips on how to work those lights. “Always invest in good lights. In this case, more is more,” he says, cautioning one from purchasing low-quality Christmas lights that could, well, raze your very home to the ground.
He then instructs readers to carefully wrap each branch with the lights. The deeper you go into your tree, the better. For his 12-foot tree, Dave used up 20 boxes of 100 warm, white bulbs. Ever practical, he also chooses warm white over any other color, since it is neutral enough to liven up any motif. “You can never go wrong with it,” he says.
While white is the general theme for Dave’s holiday décor, he also turns to the right set of colors to create depth. True enough, a closer inspection of Dave’s Christmas tree would reveal an assortment of champagne, silver and even rose gold Christmas balls, along with various shades of gray. “This prevents your theme from looking stale, boring or monotonous,” he says.
Just like with the lights, Dave also suggests decorating the insides of your tree, in order to give it the same fullness as the trees you’d find in malls, parks and hotel lobbies.
A local business owner himself, Dave also asks everyone to explore local ornaments and handicraft, as they complete their holiday décor for 2020. “Business has been bad for many of our small-scale artisans and sellers. That’s why I always see to it that I include them in my designs,” he says, pointing out some capiz stars and angels that he threw to the mix.
You may buy these kinds of items at Pinoy Sikat Handicrafts, or even in your local markets such as in Divisoria or Quiapo. But please, do so with social distancing measures in mind.
Garland wonderland
As the cornerstones of a home’s Christmas decorations, table settings and Christmas trees are often well thought of. As for the garland and other secondary elements, it pays to give them a little more importance.
To avoid turning your house into a circus of unrelated colors, resist the temptation of hanging all of your leftover décor and garlands sporadically, for as long as there is a wall and a hook.
In fact, it’s best to start by creating garlands that coherently reflect the theme of your tree and tablescape. For his White Christmas setting, the designer strung together a confection of silver, white and champagne-colored balls. Pinecones and leaves, along with local elements such as shells are also most welcome, so long as they fit into the theme.
While compact garlands attract attention, putting too many of them in an enclosed space may also be a tad gaudy. Depending on your space, just create a handful of garlands that rely more on quality, rather than quantity.
The same goes for Christmas wreaths that can be hung by the door — serving as a teaser to the marvelous settings that await your guests as they step into your beautiful abode.
“In the end, it’s important to choose a theme that reflects your personality. But once you’ve figured it out, the rest is just a matter of restraint and practice,” says Dave. That, and of course, putting up your décor with a smile on your face.
Remember, White Christmas or not, you’re preparing for a wonderful celebration — not some tedious chore!
