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Silver and Bold
What Canadian wholesalers are offering this holiday |
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Written by Marlene Opdecam
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If you are considering decking the halls with boughs of holly this festive season, you should be right in keeping with at least one current holiday trend, according to the experts.
Outdoor inspiration
“We’ll be seeing berries in abundance . . . berries and fruit,” says Derrick Hollar, aifd, cafa of Florists Supply Ltd, a wholesaler with four locations in western Canada. “The season reflects a time of opulence and abundance and the addition of fruits and berries harkens back to medieval times when such was the hallmark of fun and merriment,” adds Hollar, a design consultant who’s also part of the company’s buying team.
Karen Tuck of Westbrook Floral in Grimsby, Ont., supports this inclusion of natural materials. “We are going to see moss and branches in all areas of home décor as it reflects society’s consciousness of being green. More than a trend, it’s an awareness,” she says.
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Green is still a hit for Christmas but lime offers a fresh new look to the tried and true hue. It pops nicely when combined with a little glamour and glitz. Photo courtesy of Canpol
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One product Tuck’s excited to introduce this year just in time for the holiday season is Tru-Life Leaves ribbon. “It is a roll of water-resistant ribbon in the colour and texture of natural leaves. It can be cut, ripped and manipulated more easily than live product, is less expensive and has a longer shelf life than live greenery,” says Tuck. This means designers can do their prep work further in advance, and, as an added plus, the Tru-Life Leaves won’t wilt or cloud the water of an arrangement.
Other items exuding that rustic aura of comfort and coziness could include heavy fabrics like the burlap poinsettia and holly clip ornaments Westbrook has rerun from last year due to their popularity. Tuck suggests heavy-weave baskets, pinecones, plaid ribbons and berries as other eye-catching accessories in keeping with this theme.
The use of materials like bleached wood, cotton and glass complete an authentic look, adds Anna Sestito, business relations and sales manager of Canpol Ltd., located in Mississauga, Ont. “Combining old, cherished pieces with new purchases creates original recycling chic. In turbulent times, people always seek security in the familiar,” says Sestito.
Oh Christmas tree . . .
Opinions, however, seem to differ on what retailers should look for when it comes to Christmas trees. While all three experts acknowledge the tree, whether real or synthetic, remains the focal point of Christmas décor, they are divided on what will prove most popular this season.
For Christmas 2011, Canpol has introduced a metal-branched tree that can be placed on a fireplace mantel, occasional table in a home or business, or used as the centrepiece for a dining table. “The metal branches can be adorned with spectacular acrylic hanging ornaments, traditional Christmas balls or combined with real or Floramatique flowers,” says Sestito.
The “more realistic, the better,” Hollar stresses when asked about trees. However, he adds that Florists Supply is seeing that black pre-lit trees continue to appeal, as do whites, tinsels and the pastel shades.
Tuck believes the majority of the population falls to a green tree. Westbrook, she adds, will offer two types of flocked trees. The first is a traditional evergreen designed to look as if it has been drizzled with snow. The second is a smaller display tree that has been completely flocked white so there is no green visible. She says these trees create an eye-catching effect, as any colour that is displayed on them will jump off the white backdrop these trees provide.
Textured touches
Texture also plays a role when it comes to holiday ornamentation here in Canada.
“Rich luxurious fabrics, beading, embroidery and beautiful detailing help set the stage,” says Sestito. “Varying textures creates dimension and adds the wow factor to your holiday décor.”
“Iced branches and wreaths are a favourite with our customers,” says Hollar. Set a table for the festive season then add some “glitz” in the form of glittered sprinkles, glittered ornaments, crystal candlesticks and gems, and the ordinary becomes glamorous, he suggests. “Glitz continues to be glam so we expect to see it more and more.” Hollar also says candy canes and gingerbread men are a hit with the younger crowd.
Setting the mood
Candles continue to be popular, says Hollar, and their use in enclosed glass or crystal containers is still preferred.
Canpol, says Sestito, has recently added LED-operated light centrepieces that provide the ambiance without the worry of an open flame. Those who choose the traditional candle route should choose holders that reflect light and create sparkle on the table, she adds. Sestito advises using candles in large numbers, staggered at different heights, with different colours and textures of holders to set the mood.
The most common candles Westbrook sells at Christmas are the 12-inch red taper candles that designers use for centrepiece arrangements, says Tuck. The two coming next in popularity are pillar and floating candles. “We like to encourage customers to stop thinking of candles as an arrangement accessory and try to include them in the front of their stores as add-on sales.” Westbrook also offers an event pack line in white and ivory.
When it comes to styles in any season, Sestito offers this advice. “Whether it is casual or formal, your holiday décor should reflect your own personal style, taste and personality. Tradition is important but you need to layer your own style details.”
Bold new hues
When consumers think of the holiday hues, they naturally think red and green.
And red and green will likely always remain centre stage, says Hollar. “But the red will have less blue and the green will be more chartreuse . . . a real bright and funky combo.”
Tuck agrees. The green has changed, she says. Traditionally, it was emerald and now it is almost a lime green, which puts a fresh look on the tried and true. Westbrook will be bringing in a “new” emerald green this year, she adds, an emerald hue that is bolder and seems to pop a bit more.
Colour is no longer limited to the traditional hues, advises Sestito. “Retailers and consumers alike want to carry colours that can be used not only during the holiday season but also right throughout the year,” she says. “Metallic colours shown in silver, pearl and copper would be a great example of transitional tones that you can take from the fall season right into the long winter months.”
Canpol’s Kelly green or deep violet can work for either the spring or winter months and jewel tones will brighten a dark room, Sestito adds.
Hollar and Tuck both see purple as the predominant colour trend in 2011. Purple in all its tints and tones is proving popular, says Hollar, adding that it couples well with both reds and bright greens.
“Purple is being used in a lot of different areas,” says Tuck, citing fashion as an example. She adds that Westbrook is now seeing a wealth of rich jewel tones used as well – tones such as hot pink. “We’ve tried to create a different look utilizing hot pink, purples, dark blue and lime green . . . really bright, vibrant colours.”
Tuck says the jewel tones create a “festival of brights,” creating the kind of party atmosphere that is trending this year.
Aqua and royal blue continue to fascinate, Hollar adds, as does the Victorian theme, which began to make a return in the west last year. “We predict it will be even more popular, with soft lilacs infused with pinks and ivory, both with permanent botanicals and glass balls, and other ornamentation,” he says.
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