By Brie Hays
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a challenge for everyone! The holiday season is bound to be very different this year and certainly lighter in terms of social commitments. Why not utilize some of that extra time to go big and bold with your holiday decor and start planning new house projects for 2021?
This is definitely the year to go all out for the holidays! With everyone home for the last nine months, cheerful lights and nostalgic decorations are a welcome change. There has never been a better time to experiment with some new ideas. Ever dreamed of a having “theme”tree with decorations in a non-traditional scheme? Go for it! What about a myriad of paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling? Drape your mantle, light fixtures and railings with garland and strands of dried orange slices to make the house smell fantastic.
Let your house be an inspiration and set the palette for your holiday decorating scheme. In a recent project, we installed gorgeous gray green wall mouldings in a two-story living room. For their holiday decorating, my clients chose a green plaid ribbon, bordered with their wall color. The continuity of the ribbon woven through the wreath on the front door, the garland on the stairs and the tree pulls everything together for that designer touch! In our home, we have a lot of dark teal, so the bright green of boxwood really pops. Boxwood balls decked with fairy lights hanging from a dark teal ceiling make a fun, unexpected statement and I repeat the boxwood in wreaths and garlands throughout my home for cohesiveness. Study your home to decide if you want your holiday trimmings to blend or contrast with your home’s décor.
Maybe you are planning ahead for a project for the new year. If you have been pondering a bold paint move, this is the time! In another recent project, my client wanted ‘something special’ for their dining room. We had a talented faux painter apply gold leaf to the dining room ceiling, and the result was jaw dropping! On a smaller scale and less of an investment, I picked up a can of metallic paint and painted — ok, my husband painted — our powder room ceiling a rich gold. This often overlooked fifth wall picks up the gold in the wallpaper and the brass of the hardware and it looks great. If you’ve been thinking about painting a room or even a ceiling a daring color, go for it. If you’re still hesitant, start with something smaller, like a door or the back of a bookcase. It will make a big change and might inspire you to go further! Not very skilled with a paint brush? You can always hire someone who is.
As we close the door (finally) on a year that has shown how resilient and supportive we can all be when faced with new challenges, stay safe this holiday season, and enjoy your home and the people in it!
