Merry Mod Holiday

If mod contempo is your style all year, follow trend and go festively understated this season.

Think clean and sophisticated with some elements of nature — an everyday swank philosophy from the designers at Studio Chameleon.

“We love contemporary, love to add color and also to mix in some Mother Nature in everything we do,” says Teana Dunlap, interior designer at the always-current Newport Beach design store.

“Think outside the box. Have a focal point and try making collections versus random holiday items everywhere. Just sprinkle a few things in versus Christmas, Christmas, Christmas. A hint is nice — and unexpected,” Dunlap shares.

“A great focal point for the holidays is a Manzanita tree. Another fun idea is to spray-paint oversized birch branches gold, then hang the piece over a fireplace and adorn with a handful of different styled ornaments. Then, just add a few red pillows to the seating area for spot color.”

You can exude simple, dynamic style with several key accessories, such as crystals, for some seasonal sparkle. Adding a riser under your gems makes them more impactful and special, too. Amethyst crystals go perfect with a purple holiday palette.

Some beyond-the-norm collection items: ‘60s vintage glass bottles in groupings and shades of amber and emerald let you drink in the colors of the season. Bright teal adds hip Hanukkah cheer.

Dunlap sheds light on lighting with sleek onyx stone. “We love onyx lamps. They’re natural, yet very contemporary looking.”Other bright ideas for how to fab-up the festivities with “Studio Chameleon style” are transparent Moroccan salt Selenite candleholders and agate stones that glow gorgeous in a window or with a candle dancing behind. Dunlap notes that rust-colored candles are a fun, festive substitute to everyday white.

End table head-turners are large, four-inch decorative shell balls in a bowl with some holly and red, purple or fuchsia accent balls.

And, don’t forget to continue the mod contempo vibe when entertaining your friends and family. Add a warm, deliciously divine touch with cheese and crackers offered on a polished, petrified wood serving tray paired with a sterling cheese server. Chenille wine bottle holders are luxe and lovely too, or you can go with oversized shell ornaments to hang on the red or white vintages you’re serving that night, suggests Dunlap. “Try to do something different than you’ve done every year. Push yourself to mix things up,” sums up Dunlap.

Well said. Cheers, all, to a fresh flavor this season — whatever your personal style!

Studio Chameleon offers contemporary, unique furnishings, fine art and interior design, as they turn the “ordinary into the extraordinary.” StudioChameleon.com

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