Monday 22 December 2014

Happy holidays!

Wishing all our lovely, loyal The Apartment readers a very merry Christmas - we're closing for the holidays. See y'all in the new year with loads more small space inspiration - and a few surprises too...


Sunday 14 December 2014

That's a wrap

Everyone knows little kids are usually more excited by the wrapping paper than the actual present and you know what? These days, if we're presented with a beautifully wrapped gift, we often feel the same way. There's something just so special about receiving a perfectly packaged present. This Christmas, we aim to bring out the inner child in everyone we're giving to with papers, ribbon, twine and tags that are almost too pretty to tear open. Almost.

Image via glitter guide.

Look one: pastels. Buck Christmas tradition and take up the trend for pastels for gifts that really stand out under the tree. Add a smattering of sparkle - think gold, silver or copper foiling - to keep the style festive. Chevron, oversized polka dots and stripes are the patterns to look out for.



Image via perfectpalette.com.

Look two: monochrome. Black isn't an obvious choice for Christmas wrapping, but when pared back with white or kraft paper and lit up with metallics, the result is sophisticated and stylish. Create your own version of a white Christmas (or a little black magic) with the ideas below.

Image via LillyAllsorts.

 Image via deasogmia.blogspot.dk.

Image via fairynuf.blogspot.no.

Look three: rustic. Ever since Maria started sewing clothing out of curtains, brown paper packages tied up with string have pulled at our collective heartstrings. Spruce up yours with a sprig of fresh foliage - pine preferably, or rosemary - or personalise with photos or prints of Christmassy scenes.


Image via nicety.livejournal.com.

Image via anthropologie.

For the prettiest of papers and all present-wrapping paraphernalia, we love Kikki K (for gorgeous roll wrap in particular this year), Inky Co and The Lust List's limited edition range.

 Check out our pinterest for more Christmas wrapping ideas, and watch as we share our own Christmas wrapping over the coming days on instagram.

Friday 12 December 2014

Friday find: printable holiday cards

Christmas time may be (commercially) about presents, but here at The Apartment, we're all about giving good card. A beautiful card or tag lends a gift personality, sentiment and a final layer of finesse, so we were pretty thrilled to discover that graphic designer and typographer Jasmine Dowling and DIY style queen Geneva Vanderzeil from A Pair & A Spare have teamed up to create a stunning Christmas stationery range. These girls are so stylish it hurts, so it's no wonder their cards are equally cool. And it gets better - the collection is available online to download and print - for free!




By no means limited to Christmas gifting, the striking monochrome cards can be downloaded in pdf form here. The girls recommend printing them onto card for a five-star finish.



Complete with cute polka dot backings, these tags are ideal for office
Kris Kringles or to accompany homebaked gifts. Download them here

Images via @jasminedowling and @apairandaspare on Instagram.

Sunday 7 December 2014

Merry minimalism

Do you remember your first Christmas out of home? You excitedly picked out a tree (twice your size, naturally) and painstakingly lugged it back to your apartment, only to be met with a harsh reality check: "Where are all the decorations?!" There was no cupboard under the stairs overflowing with boxes of sparkling, sentimental (and let's be honest, probably garish) baubles and beads collected over the past two decades.

Some years later, we still find ourselves in this predicament. Because tempting as it may be to rush out and buy all the garlands and glitter under the sun, we're firm believers in building up our Christmas collection over time - choosing a few new pieces each year that we'll cherish forever. As such, we've come to embrace the minimalist look, a style that lends itself beautifully to festive decorating. All you need are a few ornaments, plus pieces you already own, to create a magical and modern Christmas scheme.

Image via cathrineshjerterom.blogspot.com

The look is all about effortless chic and has its roots in Scandinavian style. Key colours are black and white, with accents of timber and copper thrown in for warmth. And there's no need to reach for your wallet before unleashing your inner stylist - a tray, candle and a few sprigs of greenery are the sole ingredients in these stunning seasonal vignettes.

Image via weekdaycarnival.blogspot.co.nz

Image via noralill.blogspot.com

Image via decor8.blog

Image source unknown

Never underestimate the power of fairy lights or metallic
candlesticks to instantly festi-fy a space.

Image via tamalikainenparketti.blogspot.com

Image via media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com

Image source unknown

This brings us to our next point - star quality. We're not talking tree-toppers, but rather oversized statement-making stars that epitomise Nordic cool. Make your own by tying together six branches, or shop our favourite matt black offering below.

Image via kronprinsessene.com

Image via stilinspiration.blogspot.se

Image via avenuelifestyle.com


{SHOP THE LOOK - A MINIMALIST XMAS}


















Friday 5 December 2014

Friday find: Kate Spade Christmas baubles

As a rule, we love accessorising, from finding the perfect pair of earrings to finish off an outfit to decking out the Christmas tree with the very best of baubles. Just as you wouldn’t rock up to your Christmas party wearing a frock from ten years ago (unless of-course it’s vintage, darlings) nor should your tree showcase faded, dusty relics from Christmasses past.

Up the style stakes with one of these dazzling Kate Spade decorations instead:





These beautiful baubles are simply too pretty to pack away in January - style them up in a vignette on your bedside table or mantelpiece, or hang one from a doorknob for year-round festivity.  They’d also make a fabulous, fashion-forward stocking filler.