Seasonal secrets for a stylish home at Christmas

UK households spend a staggering £2.3 billion each year on Christmas trees, decorations and trips to the pantomime, according to Go Compare.With so much being spent on Christmas décor, it's no wonder that festive displays seem to be getting more stylish each year. Creating the perfect setting within the home is a wonderful way to bring alive the Christmas magic and get into the festive mood. So the team at Alexander James Interior Design have shared their top tips for style.Stacey Sibley, creative director, said: "This Christmas, many are going against tradition for a tropical, contemporary look. No longer confined to the summer months, we're seeing tropical touches being given a sophisticated twist for the winter season."The 2017 Christmas style has a playful edge - it's about capturing the joy of Christmas and having fun in new ways, while also delivering an elegant overall look." Stylish tropical touches this Christmas include beautifully woven peacock feather and palm leaf wreaths and stunning centre pieces featuring metallic pineapples and cream and white tropical flowers. Harrods is featuring quirky, parrot-inspired Christmas tree decorations, Selfridges is all about the pineapples, while Liberty has opted for a fan-tailed peacock offering. It's all about mixing vibrant colours tastefully with more traditional Christmas tones.Metallics will also be big news this Christmas, with new twists added to the traditional bright silver and gold hues.Copper has been popular in interiors over the summer, thanks to its versatility. It can be teamed with a clock colour or with organic materials such as wood to create a variety of feels, from Scandinavian luxury to mid-century cool. Now, that versatility is being carried through to the festive season.As ever, the perfect lighting is also key to creating a magical Christmas ambience. This year lighting will feature throughout the home, from garlands to tumbling showers of LED lights to table centre pieces. If it's not sparkling delicately, it should be! Anything from a pile of gifts to a simple tree branch can be brought to life with the right lighting. Understated twinkles spread throughout the home can create a truly stunning overall impact. Candles, naturally, should form part of the Christmas décor, with stunning glass and metallic lanterns adding to the overall sophistication of this year's style.With the home interior looking perfectly stylish, all that remains to be done is to give it the ideal festive scent. The White Company's Winter botanical Large Pillar Candle offers a generous infusion of cinnamon sticks, orange slices and red berries, while Jo Malone has opted for fragranced Christmas tree decorations in both Pomegranate Noir and Pine and Eucalyptus. The White Company's sweet almond blossom, frankincense, neroli and honeysuckle diffuser also captures the spirit of the season perfectly. Decorating for Christmas is one of the most exciting parts of preparing for the festive season. With these styling tips in mind, every home can create a stunning, elegant Christmas ambience that brings the magic of the season alive.Visit www.aji.co.uk for more ideas.