| interior design
* Start with one interior and one exterior focus, instead of scattering
unrelated decorations throughout your home. Select a focus on the
interior, examples include a doorway, mantle or staircase. This
will provide a more dramatic impact. An exterior focus could be
a front door or one heavily accented tree.
* Change the location of your Christmas tree every year. Your tree
can be the focal point of your living room, kitchen, entrance hall
or dining room, but it should always be in a frequently used room
so that it is enjoyed throughout the holiday season.
* Consider small trees (three or four-foot) to add theme and style
in various rooms of your home. A kitchen tree could be decorated
with cookie-cutters, miniature pans or cinnamon sticks. A small
entrance hall tree could be embellished with holiday cards tied
with yarn. A family room tree could be adorned with family photos,
children's creations and family heirloom pieces preserve memories
and personal traditions.
* Do not forget that interior color schemes should be considered
when purchasing new holiday décor. Take fabric, wallpaper
and color swatches on your shopping trip. A clashing color can diminish
the impact of a thoughtful holiday scheme.
* Don't be afraid to refresh older decorations. Adding new bows,
new ornaments, white painted branches can brighten a tired display.
For example, you can wind six feet of evergreen garland around a
wreath to expand and texturize it.
* Always consider the architecture of your home before you decorate.
A colonial home will always look its best with classic Williamsburg-style
adornments and a contemporary home demands the impact of dramatic
color and sophistication.
* Don't forget the design element of fragrance in your holiday home.
Bayberry-scented candles, fresh greens, citrus, and potpourri all
exude a welcoming environment.
By John Franke
Faculty Member, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh |
