Backdrop: Keep the Foundation Soft and Structured

Modern Still works because the backdrop is calm, neutral and ordered. 

Begin with the base:

• Warm whites or soft grey-neutrals on the walls 

• Shelves and surfaces lightly pared back so the space feels open

• One or two anchor materials repeated for consistency (such as wood, linen or ceramic)

This isn’t about stripping a room bare or sacrificing function. Essential, everyday items stay in place. What changes is the excess – pieces that have gathered dust, no longer hold meaning or add unecesary visual noise. A seasonal edit like this creates room for the Christmas styling to breathe.

With that clarity in place, a single decorative moment becomes more effective:

• An evergreen branch on a console table

• A slim wreath hung on a hook

• A smaller, well-proportioned tree in a simple pot

These understated touches sit comfortably within a calm backdrop, allowing the space to feel grounded rather than crowded.

Scandinavian interiors have long shown how a softly structured foundation supports subtle seasonal detail. Modern Still follows the same principle: create breathable space first, then layer in gentle, natural Christmas cues.

(A note for those who enjoy this rhythm – the Home Cleanse Club returns each March, offering a deep guided declutter.)

Materials: Choose Warmth Over Volume

Materials carry most of the visual warmth in a Modern Still Christmas. With the backdrop already soft and lightly structured, texture becomes the element that brings the season to life without overwhelming the room.

Natural, honest materials work best:

• Soft linen ribbons

• Wooden or carved decorations

• Matt ceramics and stoneware

• Clear or lightly tinted glass

• Wool, felt and tactile fibres

• Simple paper stars or folded forms

• Dried foliage or stems

• Faded terracotta candleholders or bowls

Faded vintage terracotta (as opposed to the new orange-y coloured pottery)  adds gentle earthiness that grounds a neutral palette. Its warm, chalky tone sits comfortably beside eucalyptus greens, soft whites and muted greys, bringing a Classic warmth that doesn’t fight the Scandinavian influence.

To keep Christmas styling cohesive, gather seasonal pieces together before decorating with them. This makes it easier to notice anything high-shine, overly glittered or out of character with a natural, minimalist palette. The goal isn’t to avoid decoration entirely, but to ensure materials share the same softness and honesty.

Consistency matters more than quantity.
When materials feel aligned; like linen, ceramic, glass, wood, terracotta and wool, the whole room reads as calm, warm and intentional, even with very little added.

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Shape: Let Form Do the Seasonal Work

In a Modern Still home style, shape is one of the most effective design tools. With the palette kept soft and the materials intentionally simple, form becomes the quiet feature that carries the room, even more so at Christmas.

Start by choosing pieces with clear, simple silhouettes:

• Sculptural pillar candles

• Curved bowls or vases

• Tall, architectural branches

• Slim or lightly structured wreaths

• Paper ornaments with clean folds

• A neatly proportioned tree rather than an overly full one

These shapes create interest without relying on colour or volume, which is why they suit Classic and Scandinavian-inspired interiors so well.

It might be helpful to focus on a few repeated forms rather than a wide mix. Matching shapes; for example, pillar candles in varying heights or a cluster of paper ornaments in the same folded style, create a rhythm that feels calm and intentional.

This is where Scandinavian Christmas styling and Modern Still overlap – the decoration comes from proportion, not excess.

When form leads, the room feels quietly expressive even with minimal seasonal detail. 

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Palette: Keep It Soft, Neutral and Cohesive

The Modern Still palette is built on quiet warmth. For Christmas, this means extending the existing colours in the room rather than introducing bold new ones.

A calm, Scandinavian-inspired palette works best:

• Warm whites and soft creams

• Muted grey-greens

• Gentle stone and oat tones

• Light charcoal for subtle depth

• Chalky, silvery eucalyptus greens

• Warm metals such as brushed brass or aged gold

Eucalyptus plays a particularly good role here. Its matt, silvery green sits naturally within the Classic palette, adding gentle contrast without tipping into saturation. It softens harder edges, introduces movement, and brings in a seasonal element that still feels clean and modern.

When the palette is viewed as a whole, any items that feel too bright, saturated or heavily themed become easier to identify. This keeps the styling cohesive and light, rather than fragmenting the room with competing colours.

Consistency creates atmosphere.
A hallmark of Scandinavian Christmas decor is the restraint. Modern Still continues that tradition – subtle colour, natural accents and soft contrasts hold the room in a calm rhythm. A palette rooted in soft neutrals keeps the home feeling warm, clear and quietly festive.

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Atmosphere: Create Warmth Through Light

Atmosphere is where Modern Still Christmas’s whisper their expression. With the palette restrained and the materials simple, the room relies on light, rhythm and gentle contrasts to feel warm and seasonal.

Soft, diffused lighting works best:

• Warm-toned lamps

• Pillar candle holders in matt ceramics or faded terracotta

• Simple glass tea-light holders

• Subtle twinkles rather than heavily layered fairy lights

This kind of lighting adds a slow, calm glow that suits Classic interiors and Scandinavian winter traditions.

A few focused moments create more impact than widespread decoration.
One styled surface: a console table, a low shelf or a dining table for instance, can carry the entire room, especially when arranged with consistent materials and shapes. This keeps the space breathable while still holding a Christmas presence.

Eucalyptus, spruce or other soft winter foliage works well because the tones sit naturally within the neutral backdrop. Use tall vases or slim branches to introduce vertical rhythm without adding clutter.

The atmosphere in a Modern Still style is less about display, and more about pace – slower, softer and more intentional. A home that feels warm, ordered and inviting through the busiest month of the year.

(If you love simplicity, you might also like the Salt Home style or another Classic: Tailored Comfort.)