Roll up, roll up, party season is here! And nothing says celebration quite like the circus – red stripes, bright lights and a maximal feel that delights.
Vintage-style illustrations invite a warm feeling of nostalgia. Add hints of brass – or even brass band – for a moment of pure jubilance.
Toy theatre kit, £25, The Shop Floor Project. Trumpet baubles, £1 each, George Home. Lei baubles, £10 for two, Habitat. Reader armchair in Bumblebee clever velvet, £895, Loaf. Norfolk stripe fabric in Peony, £29.50m, Ian Mankin.
Ribbon isn’t just for gift wrap; it can also be used to great effect as a wall hanging decoration. For a more manageable trick, wind streamers around bannisters and add star lights to create impact when guests arrive.
Various silk/satin ribbons, from £8.95m, VV Rouleaux. Polish Cyrk/ Circus poster – Unicycle Gentlemen 1970, £400, Hubert Hilscher at Mr Black Cat Smokey. Osby Oversized Star light, £39.99; Large Osby Window Star light, £14.99; Osby Window Star light, £9.99, all Lights4fun.
A tree made of parasols – inspired by those of a tightrope walker – becomes a vibrant centrepiece.
Chinese parasols, £14.99, Brollies Galore. Tree base; 45cm drum lampshade, £95, Pooky. Circus personalised gift wrap, £6.50 a sheet, Abigail Warner at Heal’s. Monochrome animal wrapping paper, £12.50, Cox & Cox. Pink amingo origami wrapping paper, £2, Dottie’s Paper Co at Etsy. Green celestial gift wrap, The Shop Floor Project. Mardi Gras 99 York Vinyl ooring, £15.99sq m, Carpetright. Sega mirror, £795; Rander Ceramic stool in Charcoal/White, £150, Oka.
Animal figurines double up as merry table settings and lovely mementos.
Vintage & Co Grand Circus crackers, £10 for three, Heathcote & Ivory. Circus dinner plate, £8, Royal Sta ord. Circus place mat, £61, Marcel Wanders for Alessi. A5 playing cards, £5, Flying Tiger. Gold teaspoons, £6.99 for three, H&M. Exotic Zebra decoration, £6 for two, Ella James. Carnival tickets, £3 for 50, Peach Blossom UK at Etsy. Diamond candlestick, £50, BoConcept.
Simple and nostalgic paper chains make the table the centre of attention.
Note table, £7,200, Edward Collinson at The New Craftsman. No 8 chair, from £848, Sibast Furniture at Aram Store. Triangle stools, £375 each, Jennifer Newman. Elouise stool, £350; Monkey lamp, £270, Graham and Green. Rug, from £745, Designers Guild. Gumdrop stool, £445, Loaf. Junior drum kit, £79.99, Amazon. Paper trees, £115 for three, Rose & Grey. Crepe paper, £2 for 2m, Crafty Arts. Paperchain kit, £14.50, The Shop Floor Project. Popcorn boxes, £9.99, eBay.
Wide washi tape on the floor leads guests to your bar area – a literal guide to where the party begins.
Bastone X Poiat cabinet, £5,220, Antrei Hartikainen for ÅBEN. Ace of Hearts collage, £495 for a pair; Turrent table, £350, OKA. Cone candles, from £8, Rebecca Udall. Monkey lamp, £195, Graham and Green. Circus wine cooler, £185; boxes, from £49, Marcel Wanders for Alessi. Fan decorations, £8.99 for five, Ginger Ray. Tiger figurine, £19.99, H&M. Mirrored tray, £48; Guilia Wine glass, £34 for four, Oliver Bonas. Martini glasses, £38.95 for four, Audenza. Pride canister, £98, Jonathan Adler. Coupe, £6.99, H&M. Frame, from £18, Oliver Bonas. Washi tape, from £11, HARU stuck-on design at Nitto.
Create an impactful doorway with lights and fabric – it’s showtime!
Christmas tree stack: lampshades in various sizes and shapes, from £40, all Pooky. 30 Warm White Plug-In Fiesta Festoon lights, £11.99, Lights4fun. Norfolk stripe fabric in Peony, £29.50m, Ian Mankin. Bramante table lamp base, £195, Oka. ‘Couple on Carousel’ canvas, from £90, Surface View. Toy theatre kit, £25, The Shop Floor Project. Riley shelving, £2,520, Dare Studio at Aram Store. Lei baubles, £10 for two, Habitat.
