Don't you just love the holidays? With all the merry making in the air and the feeling of comfort and peace that fills your soul one would dare to say that It's the best time of the year. The baking, the wrapping of the gifts, the sending out the holiday cars, the searching of the perfect gift these are the joys of giving during this wonderful time of year.
Winter season is the most home-based time where you gather around with the love of family and friends sharing stories and catching up on life with a delicious cup of hot cocoa and lots of marshmallows. These moments of sharing your home with your loved ones and friends should encourage you to make you home as beautiful and inviting as possible. Holiday greenery can play a crucial role in making your home cozy, relaxing yet cheerful and seasonal as well.
As a designer I can't say enough how important it is to decorate in an understated way for the Christmas season meaning that with all the decorations out there for the holidays you should be choosy and wise as what to place around your home as to not overcrowd and clutter it. A simple trick as to do that would be to start with one inspiration piece and carry that theme throughout. Easier said than done? Not really. Just try to keep decorations to a minimum and emphasize on the decorations that have meaning and are impactful. Spruce greenery garland is one of my favorite ways to tie in a whole room or whole home if done elegantly and tastefully.
Holiday evergreens are so powerful as a decorating tool for designers that the rest just follows effortlessly. Evergreens come in long lengths and different types of species. They all have that uncanny all too amazing scent that sets the tone immediately for Christmastime. Evergreens are used to decorate a staircase, a mantel, a bookcase or any large piece of furniture that could use some softening and distraction. The scent of holiday fresh evergreens in a home during the holiday season is so special that other than the Christmas tree and the proper placement of candles and gifts you pretty much could have the most beautiful and inviting home with minimal decorations. That's the beauty of it really. Simplicity.
To start to decorate with greens, first just start with the mantel if you have one. Make sure your garland is long enough to drape over the edge of the mantel and down the sides of the fireplace. Add enhancements to the top of the mantel like a beautiful pair of silver or gold candlesticks, beautiful photos of you and your loved ones and don't forger the stockings! Staircases shouldn't be forgotten as well. Make sure you secure you fresh evergreens to the banister starting from the top of the staircase and moving downward the steps. Adorn the garland if you like with big beautiful gold or silver bows at intervals along the way. You might like to add some Christmas balls in the garland as well. This makes for a very festive and elegant look.
Just remember to make a home inviting, no matter how much decor you will put out for the season if it makes you feel good that's all that matters. But the design tip is to keep it simple and elegant and to do that try to minimize the holiday decorations unless they look great when they are placed all around. Everyone has different taste and most families with young children have more than enough Christmas decorations so it can be easy to sort through and choose the favorites that must be included.
With that said, happy decorating and I wish you the best for a very beautiful, elegant, cozy and merry holiday season.
Joey-Lynn of Joey-Lynn's Flowers
