 | When you’re choosing a decorating theme for the holidays follow the same principles that you would for selecting new flooring, furniture, and paint. The design and color theme needs to carry through your house in order to get the full effect. The first thing you need to do is decide whether your theme will be formal or informal. Whatever you decide, each will need a color scheme, a decorating theme and the supplies to make it happen.
Each project will need a focus and you must be consistent in your efforts. Follow design principles of color and harmony, coordinating patterns, a focal point, repetition and symmetry to make your projects enhancing and magical.
Choosing between formal and informal is not as easy as it sounds. You may find yourself pulled between the two. However, for the best effect it is best to stick to one or the other. Do you want your room to be transformed by using silver candelabra and a more modern look, or would you prefer to use ginghams, hurricane lamps and strings of cranberries for a “down home” theme. Choosing between cozy and formal will give your decorating focus and harmony.
Select a color scheme for holiday decorating that includes the furniture and accessories that are already in the room. You can decide to use a favorite decoration, such as Santa Clauses, snowmen, or angels, or base it on a motif such as pinecones and other things gathered from nature. Some people base their projects on things they loved as a child, while others prefer bows, lace and ribbons.
In order to bring a sense of reality to your Christmas decorating theme, vary the size of items used in holiday décor. Use large, medium and small decorations on your tree and use garlands of varying lengths to create interest. If you like, use various styles of tree lights, some traditional size and some mini lights.
Repeat colors, themes and decorating items through your home. If you’ve chosen a nature theme using cranberries, pinecones and mosses, take it to your front door by making a beautiful wreath. Use strings of cranberries to decorate a staircase banister, purchase apple ornaments and dry fruit to hang on your Christmas tree; use pinecones, dried fruit slices and moss to create a unique centerpiece for your table.
Use repetition for your color scheme and chose garland, ornaments, ribbons and lace of the same color throughout your home. Collect natural items, ribbons and fabrics all year long in order to have enough for your projects to make a statement.
Add texture to your theme by using a variety of fabrics. For instance, if you’ve chosen a natural theme for your decor, use burlap for a tree skirt. If your theme is formal and you’re using silver candelabra, use a velvet tree skirt. Use both matte and shiny ornaments and candles or cinnamon sticks for fragrance. Make gingerbread and bread dough ornaments and decorate with pine boughs, pinecones and other elements of nature to add texture to your theme.
Above all, make your theme powerful by using the things that you love. This will reflect your personality for an enchanting, magical Christmas.
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