Enchantment in simplicity

The colours and textures of Christmas in Luberon Cœur de Provence...

Colours create a universe, warm up an atmosphere and set the tone for your Christmas decoration.

The "colour" trend is for safe, timeless values in limited quantities (1 or 2 or even 3)! White of course, but also red, green and gold or silver depending on your taste. Forget about blue, purple, orange... The essential colours will be found on the festive table, on the tree and in the decoration of the house: cushions, tablecloths, plaid, candles...

Textures are also changing. Glass, iron, pearl, hessian and other natural elements are increasingly present. Winter foliage & flowers, wood, pine cones and fallen bark start a second life at Christmas time. They magnify the festive table, decorate a gift, enhance a candle placed in a beautiful candle holder or replace the tree altogether, depending on your imagination.

Christmas fabrics
Beautiful fabrics stand out, contemporary tradition in all its splendour that gives depth to the moment. Cotton or white linen are gracefully embellished with red or golden shades, sprinkled with pine cones or other small natural treasures.

... move into the house and combine with the scents of Christmas

And yes, Christmas is no longer just about the tree and the nativity scene. It is a universe that touches the "cosy" places in the house.

From the front door to the fireplace to the dining tables to the warm lights, Christmas is expected by living its decoration earlier and earlier. The tradition of St. Barbara's Day is to sow wheat seeds on cotton wool or moss on 4 December so that you will have green portions of grass on Christmas Day. But don't forget the front wreath.

This advent wreath is placed at the beginning of December at home. It consists of 4 beautiful candles corresponding to the 4 Sundays before Christmas. The aim is to light an extra candle (counter-clockwise) each Sunday and finally light all 4 together on day N (D). This front wreath can be bought ready-made and of variable size with various decorations (pine cones, fir branches, baubles...). It can also be a subject for a family workshop full of happiness and colour.

Beautiful candles and candle holders are an important trend that is making a comeback. Of varying size, sometimes subtly scented, they scent the rooms in the same way as the tree, or cinnamon sticks used as decoration, the smell of oranges...

The tradition of the Advent wreath
Originating in Germany, the Advent wreath was "invented" to keep little children waiting until Christmas. Originating from Christian tradition, Advent is the period during which we prepare for the birth of Christ on 25 December. The wreath represents the time before Christmas, whether you are a believer or not. The wreath contains green (hope) and coloured ribbons (often red, although the colour of Advent is more purple).

And the small objects follow the movement

In addition to the materials and natural elements, the decorative objects go through the years while also evolving in their own way in Luberon.

Stars, baubles, hearts and miniature animals (little bears, squirrels...) are scattered all over the house: on the tree, hanging from the lights or in front of the windows on the end of fine ribbons. But who says "small objects" also says "Santons" and "crèche".

Santons of Provence

These painted clay figurines originally symbolised the nativity scenes with the Holy Family, the shepherds, the Magi... Since the 19th century, the golden age of the santon in Provence, the little figures have been modernised and represent scenes of country life at a time when mills, small bridges, small houses and flocks of sheep were legion. The great families of santon makers produced santons that have been handed down from generation to generation. Their "classic" profile matches traditional cots and each year everyone buys a classic santon to add to their collection.

Other santonniers perpetuate this tradition in their own way. Their so-called "naïve" santons represent in a very refined way the Holy Family or the Provençal people of the 19th century or angels.

At Anouk Marion, each santon is unique: patience and meticulousness bring them to life. Sometimes curled, sometimes with straight hair, sometimes with the tambourine in one position and slightly off the next. The production rhythm is slow and passionate: up to 6 oxen modelled in one day against 2 pairs of Provençals on another day. They still have to be dried, fired (8 hours) and painted. These refined but endearing santons can even be used to decorate outside of Christmas: for example, the Magi on King's Day at the beginning of January, the little goats of Rove for nature and animal lovers, the little angels for children's rooms...

What about gifts? Are they also subject to decoration?

Yes, a decoration based on beautiful papers enhanced with small cards, small branches or pine cones. Assorted papers, glossy or matt, big or small, but made with love.

Trendy and eco-friendly: the fabric gift pack. A way of reusing this oh-so-permanent object. If you buy a gift in the Blanchet boutique (household linen and decoration), you will leave with a beautiful fabric package that you can take back to the shop once the gift has been opened and get your deposit back. You can also choose to keep it for another use at home or to wrap another gift in an original way.

In Luberon Cœur de Provence, a multitude of art craftsmen make works and decorations at various prices so that everyone has a little spark when they discover the object they are looking for: ceramics, wire, wood, jewellery, fabrics, sculptures and paintings... take a walk through the workshops of our artists and meet them. Find them here

Are you ready to decorate your house for Christmas in Provence? It's up to you. And if you wish, share with us your most beautiful photos #noelluberon - #luberoncoeurdeprovence - #jaienviedeluberon

This article was written thanks to exchanges with some enthusiasts. We thank them. By visiting our website you will find other addresses or contact us!

M. Julien Brikas – Interior architect and designer based in Lourmarin - julien@mhdeco.fr / www.mh-deco.fr
Lucile – Owner of the shop La Bouquetière in Coustellet - Sale of flowers, plants, Christmas trees and decorations including the famous Advent wreaths - https://la-bouquetiere.fr/
Fabienne Blanchet of Boutiques Blanchet (Coustellet and Cavaillon) - www.blanchet-boutique.fr
Anouk Marion – Santons des Roures (Robion) - https://www.santonsdesroures.com/