A Very Vintage Christmas: Decorating with Heirloom Textiles

To celebrate the launch of our first-ever Christmas collection, I wanted to share a few reflections on how I use vintage textiles to bring warmth, depth and a touch of storytelling to my festive decorating. These treasured fabrics worn, embroidered, and full of history are at the heart of my Christmas inspiration as I plan my scheme this year.

How do you approach your Christmas table?

This year, I’m dreaming of Suzanis as tablecloths. Their rich jewel tones and intricate embroidery have completely shaped my Christmas palette; think jewel tones, layered with candlelight and the gleam of brass and glass. I love how these textiles instantly create atmosphere: they feel generous, bohemian and deeply personal, setting the tone for a truly memorable celebration.

What’s the best way to display them?

I like to treat the table as a canvas for texture and abundance. Vintage textiles make beautiful table coverings and runners, but they also work wonderfully in smaller touches; offcuts tied as bows around napkins, or ribbons of fabric wrapped around candles and glassware. I often scatter pomegranates, walnuts and winter fruits to add colour and a sense of natural opulence. The result is layered, tactile and quietly decadent.

Where should someone begin when using vintage textiles? Can they inspire a whole scheme?

Absolutely! A single vintage textile can inspire an entire room or in my case, an entire Christmas collection. The tones, the embroidery, even the imperfections all suggest a colour story and a mood. These pieces are full of character and creativity, and I find they guide the whole aesthetic from decorations and table settings to how I wrap my gifts.

Any unique or creative ways to work with them?

There are endless possibilities. I love using embroidered fragments as tree ribbons, or wrapping presents in beautiful scraps of cloth tied with velvet or silk string. Drape longer pieces over curtain poles, bannisters or mantels, where they catch the light and add softness. Even the smallest remnants can be transformed into handmade ornaments or trimmings for stockings. It’s about finding beauty in what already exists and celebrating craftsmanship in every corner.

What draws you to working with vintage textiles?

They create a Christmas that feels entirely one of a kind. Each textile holds its own story; no two are ever the same and that individuality brings so much soul to a home. I love their sense of history, their imperfection, their quiet poetry. And of course, they are inherently sustainable, which makes them all the more meaningful.

Why would you encourage others to use vintage textiles?

Because they bring warmth, imagination and integrity into your space. You can weave them into your festive decorating in countless ways — as runners, curtains, garlands or wall hangings. They lend an effortless authenticity that new fabrics simply can’t replicate, creating a Christmas that feels deeply personal and full of texture.

Your top three tips for those starting out with vintage textiles?

Begin with one piece that speaks to you. Let its colours and textures guide your palette; it will naturally set the tone for everything else.
Embrace layering. Combine fabrics with different weights and finishes; linen, velvet, silk for richness and contrast.
Handle with care. These are heirloom pieces, and their age is part of their beauty. Treat them gently, and they’ll continue to tell their story for many Christmases to come.

This Christmas, I’ll be celebrating craftsmanship, colour and the poetry of timeworn beauty all through the lens of vintage textiles. They remind us that the most enchanting decorations often begin with something old, loved and full of history.