Crowning London’s Wreath of the Year
As we say goodbye to Christmas and our beloved household decorations, it’s time to find out who claimed the crown for the best London wreath. For those of you who are yet to take down your baubles, a reindeer and some tinsel, I’m sure you can reckon with the Christmas curse of bad luck after January 5th – look out for those lonesome pennies, a horseshoe or a four leaf clover…and hopefully you’ll be back in the running for London’s best wreath this time next year.
Disclaimer: these wreaths are all located between Holland Park and Notting Hill and by no means intend to undermine or overshadow the fabulous wreaths across the rest of London. I will simply be sharing my opinion on some beautiful displays and offering some inspiration for 2022.
10. A Christmas Classic
Coming in at number ten, is a rustic rendition and a timeless classic. Everything about this wreath screams elegance, simplicity and class – from the sporadic outbursts of foliage, the perfect proportioning to the door and the subtle emergence of dried fruit paying homage to Christmas tradition, this wreath is a proud contender, proving once again, that less is sometimes more.
9. Tinsel Toes
Heading away from the traditional and towards the unusual, this glitzy garnish is a fun-loving take on the Christmas wreath. It’s giving me carefree, bold, creative and sensational – this may not be a crowd pleaser, but it certainly has personality! Nestled between a bubblegum pink doorframe, this wreath is not afraid to stand out and make its mark. Eye-catching, unique and albeit, quirky, this perfectly imperfect tinsel orb caught my eye and earned its spot in the wreath top 10.
8. Pom-Pom Pizzazz
At number eight, we have another colourful creation – playful, contemporary and original. There’s something about this wreath that feels warm and homely, a family-friendly creation which could be easily recreated from the comfort of your own home. Maybe it’s the former trainee primary teacher within me, but this wreath set off imaginative fireworks for a DIY project.
7. My Feathers!
This iridescent wreath is simply irresistible! The festive infiltration of the Peacock is far more prevalent than I previously imagined and there is no wonder why – if the glitz and glam of tinsel and jewels is too lurid for your festive knocker, then the simple addition of a Peacock feather may add the elegant shimmer you desire.
6. Take a Bow
Okay granted, this isn’t technically a ‘wreath’ – but I’m all for interpretative creativity, and needless to say, I wouldn’t mind finding this Christmas gift tucked under my tree! If you’re tired of the same old and looking to jazz up your door next festive season, then grab some ribbon and scissors and you’ll be good to go. Whilst I must admit, I’m a traditional girl at heart, this seamless red bow did catch my eye and I won’t be surprised to see more of these paving the streets of London in 2022.
5. The Berry on Top
We return to the Christmas classics for number five with this berry speckled pine wreath. Hidden away from the busy streets of Notting Hill was this quaint and understated ensemble. I can imagine snuggling up on the sofa with a warm cup of hot chocolate, tuning in to The Holiday and waiting for Jude Law to whisk me off my feet – to me, this wreath embodies comfort, cosiness and festive romance!
4. The Doorway to Narnia
At number four, tradition continues to reign strong with this simple, yet effective garland. Set against a bold, red door at the summit of Portobello Road was this leafy green crown, bejewelled in red berries – drawing focus to its bold entrance, this London townhouse can be easily pictured buried under a foot of powdered snow! This beautiful threshold belongs on the cover of a C.S. Lewis novel, with an air of nostalgia from a 20th century Christmas past.
3. The Star of The Show
I would love to know where I can get my hands on one of these – I’ve scoured the internet high and low for a similar piece and nothing quite compares. This woven star is a fairy-core dream, an ornament of folklore fantasy. It is sheer simplicity and charm, effortlessly alluring, yet remarkably ordinary. I can imagine this hung upon the frame of an alpine lodge, hidden deep within a secluded pine forest.
2. Winter at the Weasley’s
A theme of literary and film culture is clearly invading my judgement of wreaths…as an English graduate, perhaps this is to be expected. But there is something incredibly captivating about the colour, size and positioning of one’s Christmas display, it is the front cover withholding each individuals story.
The runner up for London’s top ten wreaths is perhaps a controversial choice – it is not about the wreath itself, but the story it intrigues. The moment I saw this house, I fell in love with its curious charm, the handcrafted embellishments, the paint flecked gate, the miscellaneous Christmas ornaments scaling its windows. It is exactly how I would imagine the Weasley’s to decorate a muggle home at Christmas – welcoming, eccentric, quirky and of-course, magical.
1. Gold for the Golden Grotto
Last but not least, is this Christmas showstopper, the crème de la crème of decorative doorways. This wreath display is so flawless, I can hardly believe it’s real – from the intricate vine tiling to the ornate iron-work rippling each door, this London doorway is a showstopper au natural.
This wreath does not overshadow its hosts natural beauty, but enhances it. The golden stars which peer through the pine needle pillars enhance structural gold accents, and the winding details of the tiling and iron work in parallel with the twists and coils of the pillar garlands. A marriage between original and ornamental, with perfect symmetry and style. Whilst tradition trumps innovation for 2021, I’m excited to see what’s in store for 2022.
Calendar Girl 