| interior design
The Candy Tree
A small-scale candy tree could be placed in a dining room table
or kitchen as a sweet way to enhance the holiday mood. Hand strung
wrapped hard candies make a great garland. Foil wrapped chocolate
Santas and holiday figures serve as great edible ornaments. Suspend
candy canes of all colors and sizes to complete the theme. A quick
trip to the local candy store will inspire many ideas for ornaments.
The Color Tree
You can easily unify all of your holiday décor with the use
strong color combinations throughout your tree. Platinum and pearl,
gold and taupe, and country pastels can create holiday elegance
in a more unique way than the traditionally over-used red and green.
The Conceptual Tree
For a striking tree design, choose one conceptual theme. For example,
a collection of pear ornaments and a partridge placed on a small
tree will reflect the traditional carol. A music lover could create
a tree with miniature instruments, rolled sheet music tied with
bows and musical notes shaped from fanciful pipe cleaners.
A Party Tree
Throw a trim-a-tree party, where guests can exchange unique or hand-crafted
ornaments with each other. As the host, you can enchant your guests
by carefully placing personally monogrammed ornaments into your
tree as a parting gift.
The Natural Tree
Try a natural tree this year. Adorn with ornaments found in nature
such as seashells, pine cones, seed pods, fruits, dried flowers
and herbs to create a tree that is truly "green." For
an exterior tree, use birdseed, dried corn cobs, popcorn strands
and suet balls to attract wildlife to your yard.
The Family Tree
A family tree could be hung with family photographs, homemade children's
keepsakes or craft projects, heirloom ornaments and other treasured
items that evoke memories of holidays past. Use black and white
copies of your favorite photos and hang with clothespins. Treasured
holiday cards could complete this theme.
The Antique Tree
Scour thrift shops, tag sales and antique stores for old-fashioned
Christmas ornaments. Add Christmas postcards which can be found
in antique shops for approximately $1 and hang with lace or vintage
ribbon. Reproduction ornaments can round out the theme at little
cost to create a true tree of the past.
The Winter Tree
Using white lights, several dozen clear icicles and heavy handfuls
of artificial snow can create a quick and simple winter theme tree.
Add white-wrapped presents at the base of your tree to complete
the effect. This classic winter tree will enhance all interiors
and set the mood for a winter wonderland.
epa en diciembre me acompa~as por unas sangrias vale?
By John Franke
Faculty Member, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh |
