Choosing a Color Palette for Holiday Decorations

Red and green may be the traditional colors for Christmas decorations but if you plan to keep them up for 5-6 weeks it makes sense to select decorations that won't clash with the current color palette in your rooms.

Last year my black and white furniture set the tone for my holiday decorating.

A few shots of red were included to give my great room a holiday feel.

Having updated our great room with dark chocolate brown paint on the walls and white fabric on the chairs, traditional Christmas colors aren't appealing to me this year.





A few visits to Pinterest have given me plenty of inspiration for a new color palette for this year's holiday season.





























This year I'm be warming up my room for the holidays with silver, gold and white decorations. I'm still putting the finishing touches on my decorations and plan to share within the week.

Do you decorate to compliment your home's color scheme?

Alternative Christmas Trees for Small Spaces

FestiveTree.com

A house doesn't seem like a home until you've celebrated the holidays within its rooms and nothing says "holiday" quite like a Christmas tree. But if your living quarters are less than spacious finding the space for a tree might prove to be a challenge. Never fear, there are plenty of alternatives to a traditional tree that are every bit as festive. If you can spare a few square feet try one of these ideas:

For a rustic look, create the look of a tree by anchoring pine boughs in a basket. (Pine boughs can be purchased at Lowes for around $5/bunch.)

Place branches in a single vessel or separate into individual bottles as a way to display favorite ornaments.

Use pedestals or cake stands to mimic the shape of Christmas tree. Decorate with cherished ornaments.

Inexpensive tabletop trees can look posh when placed in a quality container and decked out with holiday decorations.

Don't let a lack of space keep you from enjoying your own tree this holiday season.

Have you started decking your halls yet?

*Images via Pinterest unless otherwise noted.

Wrapping up a Project

Over the summer we swapped our son's bedroom with our guest room/home office space. While we got my son's room in order immediately we basically plopped a bed in the corner of the new guest room and called it a day.





Nothing was done with the mammoth pile of fabric remnants, gift wrap, office supplies, picture frames, etc... that lined the wall opposite the above image.

This is where we started!

With the holiday season commencing next week I needed the room cleared out to turn it into a gift wrapping/gift stashing spot during the upcoming weeks. I started by updating and repurposing a consignment store vanity as a spot for hiding tape, gift tags and scissors.

Before

After

With the red stripes primed and painted over, prints from Etsy seller Catherine Nolin and artist Fiona Collins help brighten the neutral walls.





My gift wrap, ribbons and bows are tucked away in a nearby closet for easy access. There is plenty of floor space for spreading out for marathon gift wrapping sessions. I've already started my Christmas shopping and look forward to turning on some Christmas tunes and wrapping up a storm.

It's always nice to wrap up a project. (Pun intended!)

Have a great weekend!!!

Holiday Sparkle

When it comes to homework I always tell my kids to tackle the most unpleasant or time consuming assignments first and get them out of the way. I use that philosophy when I'm prepping for a houseful of guests too. Today's job-polishing the silver for Thanksgiving dinner.





If polishing the silver is not on your list of favorite ways to amuse yourself I'd suggest my favorite product for getting the job done in short order, Wright's Silver Cream. I've been using this for years and it makes shining up your fancy schmancy pieces so easy. Wipe on with the sponge provided and wipe off with a soft cloth to make your trays and platters shine so brightly you can hold them up to check your hair and make-up. A container of this polish costs under $5. I buy mine at a local grocery store but it's also available nationwide at Wal-mart stores.

Have you started your Thanksgiving preparations?

Light Up the Holidays

As a twenty-something I wanted to celebrate my first holiday season in my first apartment in style, but holiday decorations added up quick. After splurging on the biggest tree my tiny apartment could accommodate I didn't have enough in the budget to buy ornaments. If I were in that situation today I'd focus on creating a warm, holiday atmosphere from Thanksgiving through New Year's by using my decorating budget for dozens of candles that I'd display in a mix and match assortment of clear and mercury glass votives and candlesticks.

Whatever your design aesthetic, candlelight can blend beautifully into your holiday decorating plans.

Tuck candles and seasonal elements along with your every day accessories to create holiday vignettes.

Display candles in glass vessels en masse for a striking display.

Look no further than the kitchen cabinets for this look. Stray juice glasses could substitute for votives.

Acorns make a nice vase filler. Add candles and your Thanksgiving tablescape will start to come together.

More is more when it comes to candlelight during the holidays.

Pine boughs, clementine oranges and scented candles combine to create a delicious aroma.

Corral a group of candles on a silver tray for an elegant display for a side table.

Parents of small children don't fret, place candles on the fireplace mantle or use faux candles throughout the holiday season.

Save a few ornaments to slip into a vignette that includes candles.

Colorful candy canes are an easy way to dress up candles. Slip a rubber band around your candle, slide candy canes around and cover with ribbon.

Wine glasses work beautifully as candle holders for inexpensive tea lights.

Add a little bling to plain pillar candles by embellishing with gold leaf. Details at Better Homes & Gardens

A final note, consider giving the gift of candlelight this holiday season. Pottery Barn will donate 50% of the purchase price of the Globe Filled Mercury Glass Candlepot to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Once the candle burns out the pot would be a good spot to stash earrings or rings.




*Images via Pinterest unless otherwise noted.