Holiday Decorating Must Haves….Part Two!

5 Beautiful and Simple Holiday Decorating Ideas – part two

1.  Be My Guest. Is your guest room ready for holiday guests? Is there a luggage stand and/or space in the closet for them to comfortably “settle in”? Are there plenty of pillows on the bed?  A small chair next to a table which features a lamp, reading materials, even a carafe of water would be a GREAT addition to your guest room.  Don’t forget the little extras such as fresh fruit, potpourri, and a basket of toiletries. And be sure to include a few holiday touches like greenery or perhaps even a small gift.

2. The Wonder of Wreaths. Whether you prefer wreaths made of natural materials or some of the lovely permanent florals on the market today,wreaths are an absolute must for any holiday home. In addition to their traditional spot on the front door or over the mantle, smaller wreaths can be used as curtain tiebacks, napkin rings, or candle surrounds!

3. Festive Fruits and Vegetables. Visit the produce aisle of your grocery store for unique holiday decorations. For example, spray-paint walnuts and gourds in silver of gold and display them in a decorative basket. Or fill a large crystal bowl with red and green apples, sprinkled with cranberry twigs!

4. Set Your Own Style. Make your tree an integral part of your decorating scheme and a reflection of your personality. Are antique toys a personal passion? Then decorate your holiday tree with miniature wooden versions. Are you a dedicated beachcomber? Why not attach some of your favorite shells to your tree with simple and colorful grosgrain ribbon.  Thematic trees are a wonderful expression of the simple pleasures you and your family enjoy!  And while we’re speaking about holiday trees – who said you only had to have one tree in your home?  Hmmm!

5.  Wrap It Up With Ribbon. Ribbon can be used for much more than wrapping presents. Use French wire ribbons, in a variety of widths, to tie bows on your trees. Or instead of a garland of greenery, try wrapping your banister with ribbon interspersed with white lights.   Holiday cards can also be decoratively hung from a mantle or shelf using narrow ribbons in holiday colors.  Decorative pillows, colorfully wrapped with a holiday bow will add even more holiday cheer to our room’s design.

5 GREAT Holiday Decorating Ideas!

1.  Be My Guest. Is your guest room ready for holiday guests? Is there a luggage stand and/or space in the closet for them to comfortably “settle in”? Are there plenty of pillows on the bed?  A small chair next to a table which features a lamp, reading materials, even a carafe of water would be a GREAT addition to your guest room.  Don’t forget the little extras such as fresh fruit, potpourri, and a basket of toiletries. And be sure to include a few holiday touches like greenery or perhaps even a small gift.

 2. The Wonder of Wreaths. Whether you prefer wreaths made of natural materials or some of the lovely permanent florals on the market today, wreaths are an absolute must for any holiday home. In addition to their traditional spot on the front door or over the mantle, smaller wreaths can be used as curtain tiebacks, napkin rings, or candle surrounds!

 3. Festive Fruits and Vegetables. Visit the produce aisle of your grocery store for unique holiday decorations. For example, spray-paint walnuts and gourds in silver of gold and display them in a decorative basket. Or fill a large crystal bowl with red and green apples, sprinkled with cranberry twigs!

 4. Set Your Own Style. Make your tree an integral part of your decorating scheme and a reflection of your personality. Are antique toys a personal passion? Then decorate your holiday tree with miniature wooden versions. Are you a dedicated beachcomber? Why not attach some of your favorite shells to your tree with simple and colorful grosgrain ribbon.  Thematic trees are a wonderful expression of the simple pleasures you and your family enjoy!  And while we’re speaking about holiday trees – who said you only had to have one tree in your home?  Hmmm!

5.  Wrap It Up With Ribbon. Ribbon can be used for much more than wrapping presents. Use French wire ribbons, in a variety of widths, to tie bows on your trees. Or instead of a garland of greenery, try wrapping your banister with ribbon interspersed with white lights.   Holiday cards can also be decoratively hung from a mantle or shelf using narrow ribbons in holiday colors.  Decorative pillows, colorfully wrapped with a holiday bow will add even more holiday cheer to our room’s design.

HOLIDAY DECORATING MUST HAVES…PART ONE!!

I don’t know about you, but it always seems like I have plenty of time to prepare for the holidays.  Unfortunately, the reality is that they will be here before we all know it – so it’s not too early for you to start sparking your holiday creativity.  Here is part one of my 10 Holiday Must Haves for 2010!

 1. Let There Be Light!

Soft glowing light is complementary to you and your holiday guests. Once you’ve turned the lights down low, bring out the candles by the boxful. From tall and tapered to short and stout, candles set a celebratory tone. For the most dramatic impact, group candles just as you would any other collectible, and consider display them on a silver platter for even more light and shine!

 

2. Haul Out The Holly! When choosing plants to help add a bit of holiday cheer to your home, think beyond traditional poinsettias. Why not consider filling metallic vases with bouquets of fresh flowers and holly. Or choose beautifully shaped topiaries covered with pepper berries or dried cranberries.  Even a sprig of holly could be incorporated into your window treatment design as a creative and unusual tie back holder.   

3. Precious Metals. Silver still ranks as one of the most popular choices of metal – and you can incorporate it into your holiday plan in a number of ways:  candlesticks, picture frames, even decorative boxes. But, by all means, don’t hesitate to mix things up a bit for even more visual interest.  In formal rooms, why not combine your silver pieces with gold or polished brass accessories. And in a more casual room, try blending silver with pewter, copper and/or brass.

4. A Feast for the Eye. The dining room itself should be a visual feast. Your table décor should be festive and exciting….alive with the color and sparkle of the season. Mirrored chargers will definitely add even more drama and excitement to your tablescape.   Chandeliers can be transformed by simply adding a bit of garland, holly or metallic ribbon.  Have you ever considered surprising your guests by adding a small beautifully wrapped gift on their salad plates?  What a great table accent and memento!

5. Ornamental Accents. Christmas tree ornaments are not just for trees!

A simple holiday accent can be created by placing ornaments in a crystal bowl or glass urn.  Round glass balls can even be used as table place cards when you write each guest’s name on them.

Decorating Solutions for Small Spaces!

 “Economically scaled” – or smaller homes – can present big decorating opportunities.  Bungalows, ranch-style homes, townhouses and condominiums offer the decorating challenge of using available space efficiently and beautifully.  Just be sure you don’t short change your decorating tastes because your spaces may be a bit smaller!

 

First of all, consider selecting furniture that is scaled to your room size.  Smaller scaled furniture can make a small room seem a great deal larger.  In a living room, for example, you may want to choose the cozy look of coordinating love seats instead of a larger sofa and chair combination.  Sofas with open legs, such as Chippendale or Queen Anne, take up less visual space—but be careful not to have a room that’s “all legs”.  Balance your open legged pieces with solid ones, perhaps a small skirted, or an enclosed wood table.  Staying away from coffee tables and opting for a glass topped tables are good options to consider because the eye continues to travel through a glass surface giving your room a more spacious feeling.

Since pale, softer colors tend to recede, the lighter the wall and floor colors, the larger a room will seem.  However if your room features a lot of natural light, you could actually be a bit more adventuresome with your color choices – and add a little more drama to your walls.  Traditionally it’s common in smaller rooms to paint ceilings lighter shades than the walls.   This actually helps to give the impression of visually taller walls or a higher ceiling.    Patterned carpets or light background wall coverings will also help give a smaller room a feeling of depth and visual interest.

Adding a framed mirror, or even mirroring an entire wall, can visually double the room size.  But please be sure to note what the mirrors will reflect.  If it’s an eyesore, you’ll double that too!

One of the many benefits of smaller rooms, is that you will always feel cozy and comfortable!  So take a few of these ideas into consideration when you create the inviting, warm and expansive look you want in your own small space!

GREAT NEW DESIGN TRENDS…WHAT’S HOT AND WHAT’S NOT!

Isn’t it great fun to learn a bit about what’s new in decorating?  Each year new color and design trends abound, and most of my clients are curious as to where these new ideas actually originate.    Did you know that most of our home furnishing design trends actually follow design trends in the woman’s fashion industry?  So what you see walking down the red carpet today, might actually be translated into one of the hottest design trends of tomorrow!

SIMPLE, CLEAN LINES ABOUND!

Typically, we see a bit more of a traditional design style when we talk about a transitional design.  Today, this transitional design style tends to have a more modern contemporary influence rather than traditional.  Look for cleaner, straighter lines in upholstered and occassional furniture style.  We also see a trend to smaller scaled furniture styles.  And many of today’s new occasional tables tend to feature straight rather than curved lines.

 

TEXTURE CONTINUES TO TAKE CENTER STAGE!

Whether you chose to display your love of texture in your upholstery – leather, ultra suede, or micro fiber, or in your wall art, with dramatic wrought iron designs, texture continues to add drama to any décor.  Area rugs in various styles, shapes and designs, help add visual interest to hard-wood or tile floors.  And draperies deliciously designed with silks, and embroidered patterns continue to be all the rage.

DETAILS!

Brass or silver toned nail head trim instantly adds drama when outlining the wood frames of many of today’s furniture pieces.  Appliqués, embossing, leather piping, beaded fringe, and dramatic tassels and tiebacks continue their everlasting popularity.

PAISLEY PRINTS PIZZAZZ!

We’ve seen years when the trends have gone from large dramatic florals, to small geometric designs.  One of the hottest print styles for the coming years will be paisley designs.  This beautifully ornate pattern was commonly used for 19^th century shawls manufactured in the town of Paisley, Scotland.  And the Scots got the idea from Kashmir shawls made in India around the 1800’s.  Filled with a myriad of gorgeous colors, paisley designs add excitement and pizzazz to any décor.

GREY – THE NEW BEIGE!

When it comes to color trends, we’ll be seeing a more glamorous and dramatic color palette this year.  Grey is definitely the new beige, and purple continues to be a hot accent color!

LUSCIOUS LAYERS!

Designers have layered window treatment for centuries.  And, now that same luxurious feel is moving from windows to floors!  Area rugs abound in colors, shapes, styles and textures.  And one of the hottest trends today is to layer your floor –not with just one area rug – but two or three!  Area rugs placed over carpeting not only adds instantaneous visual interest, but can help give a tired carpet a fresh new look!

Is your Living Room Tired of YOU?

If you’re tired of your living room – or your living room is tired of you, here are 7 helpful steps you might want to consider in giving this often used room a brand new look!

 

1.  COLOR.  The color of your new room should be harmonious – in pleasing proportion and selected with regard for your family likes and dislikes.

2.  COMFORT. Comfort is key to selecting sofas and chairs.  If you want your room to be totally hospitable, then be sure to select well proportioned and comfortable seating.

3.  FURNITURE.  Be sure to group your furniture to allow talk to flow easily.  It’s also important that your furniture be adaptable to different situations.  Be sure there is ample space for extra seating when you must accommodate an unusually large number of people.  Arrange your furniture so that it’s pleasant to watch TV, listen to the radio, or even work on the computer if needed.  Consider traffic lanes carefully so that there will be no awkwardness in moving around the room.  Also, give a thought to coziness as well as the aesthetics of your furniture.   A home without warmth, no matter how tasteful, can have an adverse effect on most people

4.  FABRICS.  Be sure that your fabric selections are pleasing in texture as well as harmonious in color, with good wearing and maintenance qualities for your sake and your budget’s.

5.  LIGHTING.  A lighting plan must be created to enhance your overall room setting and illuminate special room’s activities.  Provide soft lighting for entertaining and direct or task lighting for reading.

6.  LAMPS.  Be sure your lamps are the right height and of a size that’s in balance with other furnishings.  Today’s lamp shades come in a variety of textures, colors and styles, so consider selecting decorative shades to compliment your room’s overall décor. 

7.  MAINTENANCE.  Your living room must be livable for you; therefore maintenance is a major consideration.  Select practical yet decorative furnishings and fabrics that will lighten your household load.  You’ll get more enjoyment from having guests and they will feel far more welcome.

ACCENTUATE WITH ACCESSORIES!

Accentuate with Accessories!

More than anything else in your home, accessories add a little bit of your personality to each and every room!  Not only will they help your rooms come alive with pop and pizzazz… accessories also do a great job of reflecting your tastes and those of your family!  Can you just imagine a room without artwork, accent lighting or decorative accents?  I sure can’t!

Simply stated, a home without accessories is like food without seasonings!

Most people truly enjoy shopping for accessories!  Perhaps you’re an avid collector of travel mementos – or antique books.   Maybe artwork is your passion – or Tiffany lamps.  Whatever types of accessories you chose to incorporate into your design plan, you need to consider just that – a PLAN! 

Here are a few tips you can use to create your very own accessory plan.  They are guaranteed to help you display your treasures beautifully and decoratively!

1.  Always try to arrange small groups of objects in odd numbers.  Rather than displaying 2 pieces – a decorative lamp and a crystal vase – you need to add one more piece – perhaps a small tray or decorative plate to complete the vignette.  Accessory displays done with odd numbered pieces are much more pleasing to the eye.  Be sure to count every piece in your vignette to accomplish this goal!

2.  Try to vary the heights of your accessory displays.  Old books are a great way to help you achieve varying degrees of height in your overall plan.  This option is particularly helpful when arranging table top displays!  Again, our eyes crave visual movement – so creating a “peak and valley” type of accessory plan does the trick – beautifully!

3.  Mix and match your accessories for more visual interest.  For instance, a display of family photos would be much more interestingly displayed if all the frames were of different metals or materials, and differing heights and sizes. 

4.  Add a touch of Mother Nature – where appropriate!  Don’t go overboard with live plants or silks.  Just a touch of green usually does the trick to fill in a bare spot in your accessory plan.

And above all, let your imagination soar as you enjoy arranging your prized possessions.  By adding some “spice” to your design plan, you’ll be sure to add the decorative finishing touches each room craves.