A couple days ago, I made my way to Bayview Village to get some very timely holiday inspiration. Away from the ever-increasing busyness of Toronto's downtown core, this chic little mall is filled with beautiful hand-picked stores that are stocked with special holiday finds. During my visit, I was introduced to Shawn Gibson, the talented co-founder of Teatro Verde, a great resource for home decor items. Here are some of his tips to decorate your Christmas tree to perfection this year, as well as a few of the pretty trees in the store. What is this coveted designer's best advice to decorate your Christmas tree?

• Think about consistency and harmony as you're placing your ornaments - this is what will give you a real professional look.

• Aim for a dozen ornaments in a similar style per foot of tree.

• Use garlands to create visual interest and break your tree into different sections.

• Start by adding inexpensive sets of ornaments in similar shades and then add your more interesting pieces at key places throughout.

As for key trends this year, classic colour combinations of gold and silver are very popular as are a mix of red and chocolate, and owl motifs are trendier than ever! Which of these trees do you like best?