Castaway Christmas - Rings of Joy

I'm astounded by the creativity seen in recent years transforming the traditional Christmas wreath, and its fantastic.

These beautiful items bring a front door alive and give just a welcoming hint as to what's inside. They're easy to make and don't have to be all that expensive. I've seen wreath bases made from coat hangers, hoses, embroidery hoops, polystyrene etc. With hot glue gun in hand you can create all manner of wonderful creations.

Here's a few more ideas to inspire.

Love the palm, very islander.

This can work for both a coast or country look.

I've included this one, because the red looks stunning against the aqua.

The background to the wreath is just as important in the mix as the wreath itself.

Here the black glossy door really makes the wreath pop.

image Donna Hay

image Not on the high Street

I love this nautical door, its perfect for the driftwood wreath.

image Not on the high Street

image Not on the high Street



(all images Pinterest unless stated)

Happy Island Styling.



Castaway Christmas - Twinkle, Twinkle...

Fairy lights are magical especially at Christmas.



I personally like to choose the white lights over coloured any day for their stylish simplicity.

I'd really like to adapt the plain white lights with some kind of decorative cover over the bulbs, but I do worry about fire hazards - if any one's got any tips, please share.

I've found some really beautiful fairy light ideas, not just for the tree, not even just for Christmas, these little illuminations are just perfect for that extra special touch, enjoy and let these ideas light up your imagination.

(all images Pinterest)

Happy Island Styling.



Perfect Coastal Finds for Christmas and the Home

You know when there are awesome days when everything just comes together, well I had one of those days recently and here's what I found...

The most fantastic & stylish willow tree, perfect for a coastal Christmas tree. Don't bother with expensive department stores - head to the garden centre instead. This little beauty was spied in Bunnings for under $40 - what a steal!

These map balls are stunning, they come in 3 different sizes. I reckon you can also

decoupage to make something similar. These ones where found at Spotlight, but be quick I reckon they'll bounce off the shelves.

More decorative balls, old world map, large and small fishing floats and a beautiful

textured ceramic coral red ball. Again all from Spotlight, don't you just love Spotlight?

I've seen these lanterns in Shop til you Drop magazine recently and just had to have one,

from Spotlight.

The old suitcase is my own picked up at a market in Coledale, NSW South Coast.

You can get such great vintage finds on the NSW South Coast and the coastline is just so stunning too.

Monkey Fist rope door stop, again from Spotlight. Have wanted one of these for a while now,

but have resisted as postage would cost a fortune if shopping online for this item.

Special note: The papers underneath the doorstop are old dress maker patterns  -

these make awesome gift wrapping, a perfect up cycling idea exclusive

from Oceania Island Living!

Just trying out one of the map balls on my coffee table tray - do like!

If you guys have found any wondrous coastal inspired styling or decorating delights be sure to drop us a line, it's so good to share these fabulous finds with everyone.

(all images Oceania Island Living)

Happy Island Styling.



Castaway Christmas - Adornments

Castaway Christmas, part 2.

The Victorians loved their Christmas adornments. Originally made from food, then later glass and paper.

Today the humble bauble has a multitude of variances from material to placement throughout the home, but the premise is still with us.

These delightful trinkets add the glitz & glamour to our homes and start the layering process of Christmas decorating.

Castaway Christmas focuses on the coastal inspired bauble, including the recently popular 'natures own' baubles of late.

Here's just a few ideas to help get you inspired this year as the handmade Christmas theme runs through in a bid to create the unique, the beautiful and the wow in our homes.

Lets take a look at the baubles themselves first.

A sisal covered bauble, this can work for a coastal or country Christmas scheme.

Fabric covered baubles these really remind me of French Provincial style.

Newspaper covered baubles with glitter.

I love the aged feel of these, vintage and a little shabby.

So simple, just add the string of your choice for a nautical take.

I've seen a lot of these pinwheel fans this Christmas.

So easy to make, I like these ones make from old music sheets.

I like the muffin tray used as bauble storage - how clever.

These are made from tooth picks and remind me of sea urchins.

A trend that's starting to appear this Christmas, tribal inspired baubles

for a wild Christmas look.

(Pier 1)

So sweet and easy to make. Mother of Pearl buttons threaded onto

wire and shaped into a heart.

I featured these last year, made from beautiful Paua shell.

For those who love turquoise, these glitzy creations are featured in all

major stores this year. Birds have been a popular theme in decorating and

are still with us this Christmas.

Beach in a bauble.

Handmade shell star bauble.

Glass terrariums make beautiful baubles.

Coral bauble.

(Boho Beach)

White feathers and pearl bauble.

(Boho Beach)

A new take on the monkey fist knot  - a nautical bauble.

I like these sea urchin inspired glass baubles. I'm currently trialing

a DIY take on these - will keep you posted.

(Isola Bella)

I quite like the tropical leaf behind this bauble - it really pops.

Starfish make naturally beautiful Christmas ornaments.

(My Island Home)

Interesting take on the icicle - crystal quartz.

Maps are big in decorating at the moment, and it's no surprise to see them pop

up at Christmas - so inspiring.

So simple to do, but really elegant. Take a glass bauble and decorate with a letter

transfer. I think this is a fantastic idea for family, where everyone has a bauble with their

initial on it.

(Pottery Barn)

I so love Humming birds at the moment. They are so cute, I first saw them

in the Caribbean and found watching them to be quite mesmerising.

(Domayne)

Pearl cluster bauble.

(Domayne)

The other beauty of baubles is placement. Today there are many different styling options, here's a few to inspire.

I like the textures in this wreath and the black front door is gorgeous, so reminds me of London.

Hung from driftwood, simple but so effective. I also like the improvised cake stand.

A bauble chandelier, I love this cluster effect.

There are some great glass vessels now, vases all shapes and sizes - apothecary jars.

Baubles really make a statement in these containers.

I'm trying this one for sure.

How effective, choose your baubles and glue on some magnets - easy peasy.

I'm showing this because I also adore the colour combo.

Chocolate brown and gold what a gorgeous colour scheme for Christmas.

(all images Pinterest, unless stated)

Happy Island Styling.