This is an article that I put together with the help of some bloggy friends. I submitted it to the print media, but haven’t seen it show up {yet}, so to thank these bloggers and to get this article “out there”, I am putting it on my blog. Their loss is our gain, right? Please enjoy and I hope you get some ideas!
You want some fresh ideas for the holidays, but what? These days, you’ll find some of the freshest, creative and most innovative decorating ideas on blogs, says interior decorator, Kathy Passarette of Creative Home Expressions. The great thing about finding these ideas on a blog is that most of the time bloggers will tell you how they’ve done something. So here are a few ideas and their blogs for some inspiration.
Using natural elements: Red Door Home {http://reddoorhome.blogspot.com} shows how using natural elements to decorate a mantel can add just the right touch at the holidays. Here she has used a wreath decorated with a simple ribbon bow, pinecone stocking holders and some Maidenhair ferns in white pots on each end. The wreath hangs on a repurposed white metal gate. The stockings are linen and in keeping with the color scheme. This mantle also brings in the element of texture.
Photo courtesy of Red Door Home blog.
Bringing Color In: If you want some color, Amanda Burdge, a blogger {http://www.abhomeineriors.com/blog} and interior designer whose business, AB Home Interiors is located in Brentwood, Tennessee, offers ideas for bringing in color on your mantle, which can extend into the rest of your decorating. This mantle décor allows you to use a variety of colors in your holiday decorating. Covering existing pictures with wrapping paper and ribbon allows you to keep everyday artwork hanging on the wall, yet they become a part of the seasonal décor.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Burdge, AB Home Interiors
Food: You’ve seen Gingerbread Houses, but how about a Gingerbread Cake House? The blogger known as Butter Yum shows off these yummy looking Gingerbread Cake Houses {http://butteryum.blogspot.com/2009/12/tiny-twist-on-gingerbread-houses.html}. Beautiful food to decorate your table!
Photo courtesy of Butter Yum blog
Collections: Group like objects together. Just as you would do with your everyday accessories, grouping like items together makes for a nicer vignette and makes more of an impact. Here a collection of snowman themed decorations dress up a desk top for the holidays. {http://www.creativehomeexpressions.blogspot.com}.
Photo courtesy of Creative Home Expressions blog
Ornaments: Ornaments don’t have to go on a tree. Put various colors or just one or two colors in an apothecary jar, on a tray or as the very talented Carla from Cosmo Girl’s Emporium {http://Carla-cosmogirl.blogspot.com} shows here, using a punch bowl and even just showing off some vintage ornaments in their original box.
Photo courtesy of Cosmo Girl’s Emporium blog
Photo courtesy of Cosmo Girl’s Emporium blog
Photo courtesy of Cosmo Girl’s Emporium blog
The Tree: Why not go crazy this year and change up how you decorate your Christmas tree, and who said they have to be green! Marsha from Sassy Mini Dolls blog {http://sassyminidolls.blogspot.com} has a little pink tree in her creative studio, but if pink isn’t your style how about adding some new ornaments in with a different color scheme. Change out your garland to something really different like beads or feather boas. Have fun with it; it’s the largest piece of Christmas décor you’ll have in your home.
Photo courtesy of Sassy Mini Dolls blog
Wreaths & Garlands: Garlands are not just for fireplace mantles! They make a great impact on a stair railing as Cathy from The Stylish House shows us {http://www.thestylishhouse.net}. She’s got a little bit of everything added in here and if you look at each element separately, you could do this to a plain garland to mesh with your décor.
Photo courtesy of The Stylish House blog
Photo courtesy of The Stylish House blog
Wreaths are not just made of greens anymore! They can be made up of just about anything, even what you have on hand; ornaments, music sheets, yarn, feather boas, and the list goes on. Here Marla from Always Nesting blog {http://alwaysnesting.blogspot.com} used faux poinsettias to make a statement over her fireplace and hung her wreath from an old metal grill.
Photo courtesy of Always Nesting blog
There are a lot of ideas from these blogs and many others, and plenty of time to implement them. These are just snippets from some talented bloggers; they and others share much more on their blogs. Start putting the Merry into your Christmas!
Kathy
