Deck the Halls!!
Fall is the time of year when every one is busy cleaning up after summer, putting away outdoor furniture, repairing and painting areas that need attention before the snow flies. Now that we have finished all that, we are ready for the snow and all that comes with it! The first thing that comes to mind is Christmas and then the traditional snow ball fight.
Let's talk about preparing your home for the holiday season! This is the time of year to show your true personal spirit. Let your sense of style guide you and reflect in your decorating. If you have a country home, opt for skies with ribbon on them, or a pair of skates at the front door, a country bench and lots of pine sprigs. If you are more traditional, shine up your door hardware, add some cedar and a fancy ribbon to your wreath. For the modernist, keep it simple, maybe a white fur wreath with ribbon
The front entry. This is the space that sets the tone for your guests. Decorate those planters and add a wreath to the front door. Some of our favorite planter ideas this year include adding white birch limbs, boxwood and magnolia leaves to the planters. Try to incorporate something from the planters into your wreath on the front door. Maybe the wreath is faux feathers with a gorgeous large ribbon holding it up. Peacock feathers are EVERY where this season! Add them to your wreath and your mantel!
Open the door and invite your guests in.
Just make sure there is something there to greet you when you walk in. Pay attention to where your eye goes first, then add a little Holiday spirit to that area. Railing are always beautiful when decked with fresh cedar, balls and ribbon. If you don't have fresh, "spruce" up the synthetic garland with fresh cedar and pine. If you wish to forego the garland, add holiday balls instead. Tie them with ribbon and let them dangle down the side. Railings are a perfect space to express yourself in an unexpected way. We suggest picking a colour scheme and sticking to it. Spread the colours every where.
If you have a mantel, opt to use fresh cedar and place larger balls on the boughs. Candles or magnolia leaves are a perfect way to add texture and colour. For a modern feel keep the mantel simple, add a glass "Frosty the Snowman" and some crystal or chrome balls. Why not add sparkle to every room.
As for trees....anything you can imagine is available today. You could do a single colour scheme, dual or multi-coloured...whatever your heart desires. It has never been so exciting!!! Some of our favorites include taking family photos and hole punching them to hang with ribbon from a tree, adding feathers to the boughs on the tree or adding Sinamay or "mesh" to the tree to fill up those bare spots instead of or in addition to ribbon!!! With respect to balls, they could be vintage or hand-made, as long as they reflect who you are. Maybe they aren't balls at all but rather birds that clip on to the tree or pinecones that are painted your favorite colour. Don't forget the bottom of the tree, you can always wrap it with a plaid blanket and a ribbon or you could add a decorative skirt. When it comes to presents add some colour there as well. Perhaps use a complimentary colour for the wrapping and accent with the ribbon or simply use white paper and add a red or black ribbon. The wrapping should be as heartfelt as the gift.
Adding the Holiday spirit to your home could be as simple as adding a new set of red dish towels to the stove or a cinnamon candle with a bowl of coloured balls to the powder room vanity. Christmas is about family and spending time together with loved ones, so get the kids involved and have them make ornaments or string popcorn to make ribbon for the tree. Cut out words that reflect the season and hang them on a mirror with string or ribbon. Cut some boughs from the trees outside and spray them gold or silver to add to the holiday look you are going for.
The possibilities are endless...we are only here to get you started.
