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N°3 - Christmas 2009

A Feast of Gold and SilverOn the menu this Christmas?Sheer opulence and fantasy

Dressing upChic Gifts

Christmas LoungingCocktails of red and black

The trend fortradition

Rediscover the elegance of tradition

Chief Creative Officer

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Sia Home fashion, the joyfulstyle of a festive homeIt’s time to celebrate, to throw off the cold andgrey of winter and for a wonderful few weeksindulge in a very merry time of fun andfeasting, memories of which will keep us allgoing until the first rays of spring.This Christmas and New Year give your homean extra-special helping of the festive spirit.Don’t stick to the tried and tested, instead letyour imagination run wild. Have fun doingsomething different - and then sit back andbask in the accolades of friends and family! Inneed of inspiration? SIA’s fabulous collectionhas everything you need to create a stunninghome that makes everyone who enters feelhappy and excited. We’ve thought ofeverything, from magnificent table settingsand breath-taking floral art to exquisiteChristmas baubles.This festive season is truly fabulous. Drenchedin glamour and seduction, there’s anabundance of opulent yet modern decorationthat makes it easy to transform a home intosomething truly amazing. Think masses offlickering candles, silvery baubles andsparkling lights, their glittering reflectionsfusing to create an atmosphere of utter luxury.Let the celebrations begin! �

Editorial

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A Feast of Gold and SilverOn the menu this Christmas? Sheer opulence and fantasy

Dressing up

Celebrate lightthe Scandinavian way

Tame the wild chicof a Nordic winter

Chic GiftsIt’s all in the detail

Christmas LoungingCocktails of red and black

The trend for traditionRediscover the elegance of tradition

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N°3 - Christmas 2009

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On the menu thisChristmas? Sheeropulence and fantasyAt that magical hour when theclock strikes midnight onChristmas eve and also at thestart of the new year, it’s time foryour home to come alive withsparkle. Imagine candlelightdancing round the room, catchingthe gleam of mesmerisingdecorations that are inspired bythe richness of the Byzantine era.At SIA we’ve artfully combinedthe traditional with the modernand then added a generous dashof baroque to create a new andbrilliant contemporary style thatmakes it easy to create somethingspectacular. Bejewelled accessoriesare key to creating this mood ofhigh opulence and glamour. Eventhe Christmas tree is a confectionof twinkling loveliness. Here seethe magical shoe of an Ottomanprincess; there a shiny ball thatholds another treat within.Together these small, but veryspecial accessories make for trulymagical nights. �

A FEAST OF GOLDAND SILVER

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A glittering table is at the heart ofthis year’s festivities. Imagine a feastserved upon a mirrored table, theever-changing reflections givingeven the everyday a fabulous sheenof high glamour. Dazzle withmetallics as their ornate reflectionsspill round the table, sumptuouspattern upon sumptuous pattern towonderful effect.

Undercandlelight,castaspellwithSIA’sspectacularGaleriedesGlaces.The gleam of gold and silver meetfor a mood of delicious decadence,as glasses and goblets shining withmetallic touches are accentuated byplates decorated in delicateplatinum. Here is a table redolentwith the richness and excitement ofdistant lands. Gorgeous.

Smart idea: an easy way tocreate a table with a difference is touse pretty mirrored trays –theirreflections will throw decorativepatterns all around the table. �

Reflections of glamour

This season brilliance is a key trend, with a lavish combinationof gold and silver vamping up the glamour factor.Metallic reflections, as seen with these lovely silver plated coffeecups, add layers of decoration for a table that is ultra-stylishand festive.The finishing touch? A ready-made small posy of flower headsplaced in a small vase or glass. Easy chic. �

A cascade ofreflectionscast a spellaround thetable

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Dressing UpThe whiteness of snow and frost are theinspiration for this winter’s loveliest decorations.This new elegance comes in the subtle play ofcontrasts - matt against shiny, pure white withflashing silver, and the strength of metallicsjuxtaposed with the delicacy of nature (don’tthe blossoms set you dreaming of the springto come?) And let’s not forget the ultra-chiccontrast of plain glass set against the richnessof a beautifully decorated Baroquecandlestick. But don’t get stuck following a setof rules - enjoy creating your own style byusing these contrasts anyway you choose.Also, why limit decoration to the Christmastree? This is the time to dress your entire housein festive finery. It doesn’t have to becomplicated. On a window-sill or table placean elegantly drooping branch dripping withbaubles. And the simplicity of white flowerslooks quite beautiful when placed in a gentlytextured metallic vase. See, there’s nothing to it.

Smart idea: place your flowers in a vasefilled with water (see image 2). Then cover thewater with a layer of artificial snow. Not onlywill this protect the water from dust andevaporation, the ‘glacier’ effect will look tréschic. �

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COOL PURITY In praise of whiteAs in fashion, the gracefulness of white signals an understated yet confident senseof style. Let us inspire you to explore this most subtle of shades. Armfuls of arumlilies, the delicacy of snowdrops and the constant charm of the rose are perfectfor this play of white on white. To make it even easier, SIA has created a rangeof ready-to-go bouquets to style up your home in an instant. Perfect. �

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But Scandinavian culture is steeped in candles.They’re used prolifically right throughout the year toset a warm and welcoming mood, even more so asthe nights draw in (some people even light a candleas soon as they get up, to start the day.) It’s hardlysurprising then, to discover that, per person, theScandinavians are the world’s highest consumers ofcandles!

A few useful tips for lighting candles: if kept out of adraught, 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 waxresistant, don’t place them near flammable materialand always keep them away from children or pets.Never leave a candle burning when you are not athome.Celebrate lightthe Scandinavian way

In northern Europe life revolves around light and both Christian and pagan traditionscelebrate the coming of the sun that marks the beginning of the end of aScandinavian winter. The Vikings celebrated ‘Jul’, the return of the light after weeks of darkness andtoday this festival has morphed into a day of festivities for Saint Lucy, the Italian saint of light, who was martyredin the fourth century after being put to death for feeding starving Christians. Missionaries spread word of hercompassion and today, on December 13, she is remembered on what, in the old Roman calendar, is the shortestday of the year. The tradition first appeared in Stockholm in 1927 and was then adopted by all of Scandinaviaafter World War II. It is a day of great jubilation. The merry-making begins at breakfast time when the eldestof the family serves ‘Lussekater’ - saffron flavoured buns in a figure of eight shape. The yellow colouring is asign of the sun while the shape is said to symbolise Saint Lucy’s eyes. In towns, processions of young girls walkthrough the streets singing the saint’s name. Dressed in white, they each wear a crown of four lit candles thatrepresents 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 therebirth 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 representsthe four compass points as well as the four seasons of the year. �

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Tame the wildchic of a Nordic

winterNordic style is all about arelaxed casualness that softensa wilder and almost brutalaesthetic.

A strongly naturalistic look, it’s resolutely modern butwith decorative details that are evocative of theScandinavian spirit, a way of life that has learned toembrace long harsh winters with a warmth and joiede vivre. So natural materials such as wood,especially fir, and bark are juxtaposed with theheaviness of metal but also the softness of faux-fur,and for a further unexpected contrast a skeletal animalhead is used as a stark centrepiece. Then there’s light- a hallway immediately envelops one in welcomingwarmth, decorated by a pretty pendant chandelierand lit Christmas tree, their shimmering points of light

bright in the moodier glow of candlesand lanterns. Artificial ice in vases addsanother surprising element to a strikingdisplay of fir branches and the additionof an oversized lantern gives a room afeeling of elegant grandeur.

Smart idea: decoration starts outsidewith the front door! Welcome yourguests with a wreath made from twigsand softening foliage. �

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ChicGiftsIt’s all in the detail

Taking care of the smallest details makesfor an extra-special Christmas – and thisapplies to gifts as well. It’s not just thechoosing that’s important – thepresentation is too, so why not takepleasure in the creation of somethingspecial.

With just a little thoughta simple package can bemade into somethingthat speaks ofthoughtfulness evenbefore the wrapping hasbeen removed.

You don’t have to be extravagant – theaddition of a decorative heart is enough,or perhaps a scattering of pearls orsomething sparkly. Even a pine cone tiedinto a velvet ribbon will do the trick. �

Luxuryandsensual texturesoothe

the rigoursof winterThe deeper the winter, the more one yearns forcomfort and warmth. In the home, one of theeasiest ways to warm the soul is with faux-fur, itswonderfully soft texture comforting against theskin. It’s versatile, and works with the traditionalto create a cosy chalet chic or stylishly softens amore contemporary setting. Drape a throw overa sofa or place a cushion on a chair or evenplace a few on the floor in front of the fire forrelaxed lounging. Candles are again crucial forcreating an ambient mood and there are manydifferent ways of elegant display. A twiggywreath beautifully complements a glass candleholder and instead of just one candle in alantern, how about grouping a few in assortedsizes. And why not also think about adding fauxice crystals, sand and pebbles for an extra dashof style. Easy to do - but they make such adifference. �

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ChristmasloungingCocktails of red and blackFor those of you who want to do something different SIA’snew collection reinterprets the traditional festive colours ofred and black. Forget what’s gone before – we’ve evendiscarded the Christmas tree! This time round decoration isabout striking still-lifes that have immediate impact but thatalso last to the end of the night.

A goblet vase is filled with Christmasbaubles for festive style with a twist.

Red and black are made sexy with glossy shine andglittering colour, the darkness of black in contrast to thesensual hit of red. Oversized Medici vases in anthracite arefilled with spectacular bouquets of flowers made of velvet,shimmering metal and studded with sequins. And for anextra lavish touch – and why not, it’s Christmas! – tea-lightholders, dramatically luxurious in scarlet and a sensuousgoblet shape.

Smart idea: with a little imagination any glass containercan become a beautiful candle holder. Just make sure theopening is large enough to let the heat escape safely. �

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The trend for TraditionRediscover 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 atradition that goes back many decades. But to make things interesting, this year we’ve added an extra note of colour – asplash of white that gives red and green a fresh new look. So with rich bouquets of amaryllis is the white-hot crispness ofa silver napkin ring and candelabra. Scarlet flowers and branches of berries add further shots of colour but again areplaced in small silver vessels. And for one last idea: decorate each table place with a mini-bouquet of red roses that areready-to-go.

Smart idea: add an extra decorative touch to wine glasses by attaching a length of coloured ribbon and a matching smallbauble to each one. Lovely! �

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The treasures of mastercraftsmenIn the past Christmas trees were decorated withbright red apples and oranges plus sweets andtapering candles. It was only in the nineteenth century, in theGerman town of Meisenthal in Moselle, that glass baubles were created. Thestory goes that in 1858 a drought left the area without fruit to decorate thepopulation’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 mastercraftsman 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 finecraftsmen of the past.Each ball is hand-blown and then carefully hand-painted and decorated.Astonishing dexterity is shown by each craftsman to create wonderfullydetailed decorations that perfectly capture the magic and delight ofChristmas. �

Ofimps,elvesand Santa

ClausEach Christmas a host of cheekyimps and elves claim their place inthe Scandinavian home.Those with beards and red bonnets - called ‘Tomte’ inSweden and ‘Nisse’ in Norway and Denmark – harkback to the pagan origins of Christmas, marking thereturn of life as the days grow longer. No-one is quitesure of their roots but some believe these are the originalrepresentation of what is now Santa Claus (and it has tobe said that the red bonnet and long beard do have afamiliar feel about them.) Then there’s the grumpygnome who protects the home and so is dutifullypresented with a gift of rice pudding each ChristmasEve. The next morning the bowl is always squeaky clean- although that may be down to the house cat! Oftenthese elves and gnomes are hidden round the house tobe discovered by children long after Christmas haspassed, keeping the joy alive through the first darkweeks of the new year.

Smart idea: do as the Scandinavians do and makethese figurines part of your Christmas. You’ll be surprisedat the fun they bring! �

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Tel: 33 1 34 91 08 00, fax: 33 1 34 89 30 09. email : infos@sia-deco.frVarious products illustrated in this exclusive collection are subject to copyright protection.

Their reproduction without written permission is prohibited. © 2009Modèles et marque déposés. Toutes reproductions interdites sans autorisation écrite. Photos non contractuelles.

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