Wednesday, December 2, 2009

A Practical Christmas

If you're mindful about your purchases and can see the possibilities in re-purposing existing decor, beautiful holiday decorating can be very affordable. Please step inside my home for this Christmas photo tour!

First, my simple entry transformation...a green wreath on the door with silver ball ornaments and berries has lasting appeal on the cheap. More silver berries are added to the shelf with candle lanterns, creating a new look with existing pieces.

In the living room, the tree is undoubtedly the focal point, setting the color scheme for the rest of the decor. This year, I went with traditional red and green with a bit of plum and peacock blue thrown into the mix. Simply switching out a few decorative pillows and adding a red fleece throw reveals new potential upon the canvas of neutral furniture. I filled a hurricane vase with flawed ornaments, hiding the chips or scratches by stacking them just so (no one would ever know!). I'm also a big fan of candles to warm up the room--choose vivid colors to tie them into the room.

I love berries; can you tell? An indoor wreath brightens up my kitchen as well as a bowl of seasonal fruit. I accented a regular vase of willows with red and gold berries to make it festive.

And last, this is probably the simplest and subtlest of all: miniature ornaments tied to ribbon and strung from the windows. They nearly fade into the background, but I think these little white ornaments and white ribbons evoke the feeling of falling snow.

What are your ideas for transitioning your existing decor to welcome the holidays?

5 comments:

  1. Ooooh, I think I'm going to steal the mini ornament idea. How did you attach them to the windows? Love all your pictures. Your home is beautiful :)

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  2. Thanks for your comment! I actually just used clear packing tape hidden at the top behind the valance. I tied the ornaments about 12" apart and hung three ribbons per window. Good luck with your project!

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  3. Excellent pictures.. I like how you have presented the information in full detail. Keep up the great work and please stop by at my hand made furniture site sometime. Keep it up..

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  4. So festive, elegant and simple. LOVE IT! I must admit though, your gorgeous winter wonderland has left me feeling a bit ... hmmm ... scroogy. I don't even have my tree up yet. And the sad thing is, I don't want to put it up! Thanks for opening your warm, beautiful home up to all of us!!!! Maybe this will give me a little festive kick in my rear now after reading your post. :-)

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  5. @ furniture: I'm flattered you like my photos. It's great to be able to publish them and pass around my ideas!

    @VickyandJen.com: Awww, call it what you like: inspiration or festive kick in the rear. You're surely not a Scrooge. There's much more to enjoy this season than just some pretty decor. :)

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