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A Feast of Gold and Silver

On the menu this Christmas?
Sheer opulence and fantasy

Dressing up
Chic Gifts
Christmas Lounging
Cocktails of red and black

The trend for

tradition
Rediscover the elegance of tradition

N°3 - Christmas 2009

 contents N°3 - Christmas 2009

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A Feast of Gold and Silver

Editorial
On the menu this Christmas? Sheer opulence and fantasy

Sia Home fashion, the joyful

style of a festive home
It’s time to celebrate, to throw off the cold and
grey of winter and for a wonderful few weeks
indulge in a very merry time of fun and
feasting, memories of which will keep us all
going until the first rays of spring.
This Christmas and New Year give your home
an extra-special helping of the festive spirit.
Don’t stick to the tried and tested, instead let
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Dressing up

Celebrate light
the Scandinavian way

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your imagination run wild. Have fun doing
something different - and then sit back and
Tame the wild chic

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bask in the accolades of friends and family! In
need of inspiration? SIA’s fabulous collection
has everything you need to create a stunning of a Nordic winter
home that makes everyone who enters feel
happy and excited. We’ve thought of
everything, from magnificent table settings
and breath-taking floral art to exquisite
Christmas baubles.
This festive season is truly fabulous. Drenched Chic Gifts
in glamour and seduction, there’s an It’s all in the detail

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abundance of opulent yet modern decoration
that makes it easy to transform a home into
something truly amazing. Think masses of
flickering candles, silvery baubles and
sparkling lights, their glittering reflections
fusing to create an atmosphere of utter luxury.
Christmas Lounging
Let the celebrations begin! I
Cocktails of red and black

Chief Creative Officer

20The trend for tradition
Rediscover the elegance of tradition
 A FEAST OF GOLD
AND SILVER
On the menu this
Christmas? Sheer
opulence and fantasy
At that magical hour when the
clock strikes midnight on
Christmas eve and also at the
start of the new year, it’s time for
your home to come alive with
sparkle. Imagine candlelight
dancing round the room, catching
the gleam of mesmerising
decorations that are inspired by
the richness of the Byzantine era.
At SIA we’ve artfully combined
the traditional with the modern
and then added a generous dash 1 2
of baroque to create a new and 3 4
brilliant contemporary style that
makes it easy to create something
spectacular. Bejewelled accessories
are key to creating this mood of
high opulence and glamour. Even
the Christmas tree is a confection
of twinkling loveliness. Here see
the magical shoe of an Ottoman
princess; there a shiny ball that
holds another treat within.
Together these small, but very
special accessories make for truly
magical nights. I

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 A cascade of
reflections
cast a spell
around the
table
A glittering table is at the heart of
this year’s festivities. Imagine a feast
served upon a mirrored table, the
ever-changing reflections giving
even the everyday a fabulous sheen
of high glamour. Dazzle with
metallics as their ornate reflections
spill round the table, sumptuous
pattern upon sumptuous pattern to
wonderful effect.

Undercandlelight,
castaspellwith
SIA’sspectacular
GaleriedesGlaces. 2 3

The gleam of gold and silver meet

for a mood of delicious decadence,
as glasses and goblets shining with
metallic touches are accentuated by
plates decorated in delicate
Reflections of glamour
platinum. Here is a table redolent
with the richness and excitement of
distant lands. Gorgeous. This season brilliance is a key trend, with a lavish combination
Smart idea: an easy way to of gold and silver vamping up the glamour factor.
create a table with a difference is to Metallic reflections, as seen with these lovely silver plated coffee
use pretty mirrored trays –their cups, add layers of decoration for a table that is ultra-stylish
reflections will throw decorative and festive.
patterns all around the table. I The finishing touch? A ready-made small posy of flower heads
placed in a small vase or glass. Easy chic. I

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Dressing Up
The whiteness of snow and frost are the
inspiration for this winter’s loveliest decorations. 4
This new elegance comes in the subtle play of
contrasts - matt against shiny, pure white with
flashing silver, and the strength of metallics
juxtaposed with the delicacy of nature (don’t
the blossoms set you dreaming of the spring
to come?) And let’s not forget the ultra-chic
contrast of plain glass set against the richness
of a beautifully decorated Baroque
candlestick. But don’t get stuck following a set
of rules - enjoy creating your own style by
using these contrasts anyway you choose.
Also, why limit decoration to the Christmas
tree? This is the time to dress your entire house
in festive finery. It doesn’t have to be
complicated. On a window-sill or table place
an elegantly drooping branch dripping with
baubles. And the simplicity of white flowers
looks quite beautiful when placed in a gently
textured metallic vase. See, there’s nothing to it.
Smart idea: place your flowers in a vase
filled with water (see image 2). Then cover the
water with a layer of artificial snow. Not only
will this protect the water from dust and
evaporation, the ‘glacier’ effect will look trés
chic. I
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COOL PURITY In praise of white
As in fashion, the gracefulness of white signals an understated yet confident sense
of style. Let us inspire you to explore this most subtle of shades. Armfuls of arum
lilies, the delicacy of snowdrops and the constant charm of the rose are perfect
for this play of white on white. To make it even easier, SIA has created a range
of ready-to-go bouquets to style up your home in an instant. Perfect. I

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But Scandinavian culture is steeped in candles.

They’re used prolifically right throughout the year to
set a warm and welcoming mood, even more so as
the nights draw in (some people even light a candle
as soon as they get up, to start the day.) It’s hardly
surprising then, to discover that, per person, the
Scandinavians are the world’s highest consumers of
candles!

A few useful tips for lighting candles: if kept out of a

draught, the wax will not run. To avoid black smoke,
when the candle is still warm cut the wick leaving just 1cm.
Do take care. Candleholders must be heat and wax
resistant, don’t place them near flammable material
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and always keep them away from children or pets.

Celebrate light
Never leave a candle burning when you are not at
home.

the Scandinavian way 4

In northern Europe life revolves around light and both Christian and pagan traditions
celebrate the coming of the sun that marks the beginning of the end of a
Scandinavian winter. The Vikings celebrated ‘Jul’, the return of the light after weeks of darkness and
today this festival has morphed into a day of festivities for Saint Lucy, the Italian saint of light, who was martyred
in the fourth century after being put to death for feeding starving Christians. Missionaries spread word of her
compassion and today, on December 13, she is remembered on what, in the old Roman calendar, is the shortest
day of the year. The tradition first appeared in Stockholm in 1927 and was then adopted by all of Scandinavia
after World War II. It is a day of great jubilation. The merry-making begins at breakfast time when the eldest
of the family serves ‘Lussekater’ - saffron flavoured buns in a figure of eight shape. The yellow colouring is a
sign of the sun while the shape is said to symbolise Saint Lucy’s eyes. In towns, processions of young girls walk
through the streets singing the saint’s name. Dressed in white, they each wear a crown of four lit candles that
represents the return of the sun as well as the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ during the crucifixion.
Candles are an important feature of the festive celebrations of the region. They are at once the symbol of the
rebirth of the sun and all homes are filled with their soft light. Grouped in threes they represent the Holy Trinity.
Advent is marked by four candles – one for each week before Christmas Day. The number four also represents
the four compass points as well as the four seasons of the year. I 5

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Tame the wild
chic of a Nordic
winter
Nordic style is all about a
relaxed casualness that softens
a wilder and almost brutal
aesthetic.
A strongly naturalistic look, it’s resolutely modern but
with decorative details that are evocative of the
Scandinavian spirit, a way of life that has learned to
embrace long harsh winters with a warmth and joie
de vivre. So natural materials such as wood,
especially fir, and bark are juxtaposed with the
heaviness of metal but also the softness of faux-fur,
and for a further unexpected contrast a skeletal animal
head is used as a stark centrepiece. Then there’s light
- a hallway immediately envelops one in welcoming
warmth, decorated by a pretty pendant chandelier
and lit Christmas tree, their shimmering points of light
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bright in the moodier glow of candles

and lanterns. Artificial ice in vases adds
another surprising element to a striking
display of fir branches and the addition
of an oversized lantern gives a room a
feeling of elegant grandeur.

Smart idea: decoration starts outside

with the front door! Welcome your
guests with a wreath made from twigs
and softening foliage. I

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Chic
Gifts Luxury and sensual texture
It’s all in the detail
soothe
Taking care of the smallest details makes
for an extra-special Christmas – and this the rigours
applies to gifts as well. It’s not just the
choosing that’s important – the
presentation is too, so why not take
of winter
pleasure in the creation of something The deeper the winter, the more one yearns for
special. comfort and warmth. In the home, one of the
easiest ways to warm the soul is with faux-fur, its
With just a little thought wonderfully soft texture comforting against the
a simple package can be skin. It’s versatile, and works with the traditional
made into something to create a cosy chalet chic or stylishly softens a
that speaks of more contemporary setting. Drape a throw over
a sofa or place a cushion on a chair or even
thoughtfulness even place a few on the floor in front of the fire for
before the wrapping has relaxed lounging. Candles are again crucial for
been removed. creating an ambient mood and there are many
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different ways of elegant display. A twiggy
You don’t have to be extravagant – the wreath beautifully complements a glass candle
addition of a decorative heart is enough, holder and instead of just one candle in a
or perhaps a scattering of pearls or lantern, how about grouping a few in assorted
something sparkly. Even a pine cone tied sizes. And why not also think about adding faux
into a velvet ribbon will do the trick. I ice crystals, sand and pebbles for an extra dash
of style. Easy to do - but they make such a
difference. I

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Christmas
3

lounging
Cocktails of red and black
For those of you who want to do something different SIA’s
new collection reinterprets the traditional festive colours of
red and black. Forget what’s gone before – we’ve even
discarded the Christmas tree! This time round decoration is
about striking still-lifes that have immediate impact but that
also last to the end of the night.

A goblet vase is filled with Christmas

baubles for festive style with a twist.
Red and black are made sexy with glossy shine and
glittering colour, the darkness of black in contrast to the
sensual hit of red. Oversized Medici vases in anthracite are
filled with spectacular bouquets of flowers made of velvet,
shimmering metal and studded with sequins. And for an
extra lavish touch – and why not, it’s Christmas! – tea-light
holders, dramatically luxurious in scarlet and a sensuous
goblet shape.
Smart idea: with a little imagination any glass container
can become a beautiful candle holder. Just make sure the
opening is large enough to let the heat escape safely. I 4

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 1

The trend for Tradition

Rediscover the elegance of tradition.
There’s something comforting about a Christmas played out in green and red. They’re the colours of our childhood, of a
tradition that goes back many decades. But to make things interesting, this year we’ve added an extra note of colour – a
splash of white that gives red and green a fresh new look. So with rich bouquets of amaryllis is the white-hot crispness of
a silver napkin ring and candelabra. Scarlet flowers and branches of berries add further shots of colour but again are
placed in small silver vessels. And for one last idea: decorate each table place with a mini-bouquet of red roses that are
ready-to-go.
Smart idea: add an extra decorative touch to wine glasses by attaching a length of coloured ribbon and a matching small
bauble to each one. Lovely! I

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 Ofimps,elves
and Santa
Claus
Each Christmas a host of cheeky
imps and elves claim their place in
the Scandinavian home.
Those with beards and red bonnets - called ‘Tomte’ in
Sweden and ‘Nisse’ in Norway and Denmark – hark
back to the pagan origins of Christmas, marking the
return of life as the days grow longer. No-one is quite
sure of their roots but some believe these are the original
representation of what is now Santa Claus (and it has to
be said that the red bonnet and long beard do have a
familiar feel about them.) Then there’s the grumpy
gnome who protects the home and so is dutifully
presented with a gift of rice pudding each Christmas
Eve. The next morning the bowl is always squeaky clean
- although that may be down to the house cat! Often
these elves and gnomes are hidden round the house to
be discovered by children long after Christmas has
passed, keeping the joy alive through the first dark
weeks of the new year.
Smart idea: do as the Scandinavians do and make
these figurines part of your Christmas. You’ll be surprised 4
at the fun they bring! I

1 The treasures of master

craftsmen
In the past Christmas trees were decorated with
bright red apples and oranges plus sweets and
tapering candles. It was only in the nineteenth century, in the
German town of Meisenthal in Moselle, that glass baubles were created. The
story goes that in 1858 a drought left the area without fruit to decorate the
population’s Christmas trees - considered a symbol of plenty as well as of life,
to leave the tree bare was a terrible thing. The crisis was solved by a master
craftsman who created beautiful glass baubles in the spherical shapes of fruit
- and a new tradition was born.

SIA’s gorgeous creations pay homage to the fine

craftsmen of the past.
Each ball is hand-blown and then carefully hand-painted and decorated.
Astonishing dexterity is shown by each craftsman to create wonderfully
detailed decorations that perfectly capture the magic and delight of
Christmas. I

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 Photos : Grethe Arnstad - © F. Leveugle - 793340

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