I know there are a lot of people out there stressing over holiday decorating, feeling they are running out of time (and money) to get the house ready for entertaining. Maybe thinking “I should do more” or “it doesn’t look like enough.” Here are some tips and tricks I’ve used over the years in Interior Design & Staging. Don’t worry, you don’t need to repaint or move there are ways to create impact that maybe you haven’t thought of.
Pick A Focal Point
Stand at your front door as if you were a guest just entering. Look around and recognize what might draw you in to a certain room, is there a fireplace off to the right or left? Are there bookcases or a hall table? Decide where you want your guests to gather and draw the eye in that direction. One way to do this is through an accent paint color but there are many other ways as well.
As a part of the Absolute Painting team I get to see and talk with a lot of people and color is intimidating to some. Those that have met me have heard this before but as with any accent “use color with purpose.” Work with the architecture of your home, highlight the features present and in doing this you’ll automatically downplay the things that maybe you like a little less.
Groupings
Having one candlestick on either end of a mantel can look quite lonely and insignificant. Using that same mantel imagine 6 or 12 candlesticks in all varying sizes and shapes, now that is going to draw some attention! It is best if they are all similar like glass/crystal or pewter or white but not matching. Some short pillar style, some tall, and slender. One big tip on this is start at the center and space them close together, we don’t want them equally spaced lined up along the mantel.
This can be done with just about anything picture frames are wonderful in a grouping. You could also do this with clear vases of different sizes and shapes, put a candle in a couple of them and ornaments in others. Change out the pictures in the hall to an assortment of wreaths.
Non Traditional
Does the traditional red & green not work in your home or maybe you’re just tired of it and want to try something new. Add silver or white paired with turquoise, blue, gold or charcoal grey. Play with textures instead of color. There are a lot of rooms out there painted in neutral tans like Sherwin Williams Macadamia or Devine Peanut accenting these with a little shimmer will elevate your décor. Use finishes like pearl, metallic or glitter for an elegant sparkle.
Artificial trees are back and hotter than ever even in hot pink! White is one of my personal favorites, using your same ornaments will take on a whole new look. Add a fun tree to a corner table or in the hallway for a bit of the unexpected.
Lighting
Candles, candles, candles! Nothing changes a rooms atmosphere more than lighting. Turn down the overhead light fixture and opt for softer look. Use your dimmer, supplement lighting by adding a lamp or two or even an up light in the corner or highlighting the tree.
Use What You Have
Use ornaments. Hang beautiful ribbon along the top of the powder room mirror or the chandelier over the table. Use varying lengths of ribbon to create interest.
Use nature. Add branches, pine cones or feathers in the tree or on a table. Birch branches or logs are another favorite they offer a lot of texture with the white bark.
Use wrapping paper. Wrap a picture on the wall and finish it with ribbon, wrap the pots of 3 topiary trees or paperwhites and place along the mantel. Wrap empty boxes in different sizes and shapes and use on the buffet table to create height.
Mix & Match
Create an interesting dining table by mixing patterns and colors of the dinnerware. This has a more relaxed appeal and you don’t have to worry about having enough matched place settings for all our guests. The trick here is to keep one common denominator among all your patterns. It could be that they all have a bit of red or gold or maybe it’s the same pattern in different colors. It’s best to keep the table covering simple as there will be a lot of pattern play in the dishes. Don’t mix everything.
