Seasons for All at Home

Christmas Wreaths ~ In Windows, On Mirrors

While Christmas wreaths often serve as a welcome to visitors arriving at the front door of our home, adding one or more wreaths inside our homes add to the festivities of the holiday.  Hanging a circle of greenery above the mantle or sideboard and over a mirror is a great way to give these beauties the attention they deserve.

 

And hanging wreaths in windows is especially charming and a site to behold from inside your home and out.  When possible, hang one wreath in each window in a series for added impact and beauty.

Hang Christmas wreaths with a ribbon that matches the color scheme in the room it adorns, then enjoy it for many holiday gatherings or quiet moments alone.  Simple splendor at its best.

 

Credits:  Photos from Traditional Home, Cottage Living, and BHG.

Originally posted 12/15/2009.  

Making Your Home Feel Warm After Christmas

 

 As soon as your Christmas decorations come down your house can feel cold and empty. The space where your Christmas tree previously shone with light and colour now seems bare. Christmas decorations are a great way to make your home feel cosy and inviting during the coldest months, but once they go you have a dilemma. The wind is still howling, and the sky is full of snow.

There are, however, many things you can do to make your home feel cosy during this period. Throws and cushions can give your home that extra warmth it so desperately needs. You would be surprised just how much difference a throw can make. Tartans and checks in warm colours can create warmth that cannot be attained unless you are prepared to redecorate. By including warm colours, oranges, reds and dark greens, to your home you can create a completely different ambience.

 

Even if you just add a throw to your sofa you can completely change the look of your living room. There is something about blankets and throws casually draped over seating that makes you want to slump down in front of the television and keep warm.

This winter making your home feel warm and inviting can mean the difference between a miserable winter and a happy, cosy few months. As soon as spring arrives you can strip back the throws and cushions to reveal a light filled house, ready for summer dinner parties and the warmer weather.

 

Using throws and cushions is a simple and easy way to make your home feel comfortable and cosy. It is incredibly easy and will help you get through the most miserable months. All you need now is a box of chocolates, a glass of wine and a good film and your winter will fly by.

 

You might consider decoating your home with antiques.

 

Decorating Your Holiday Home This Christmas

Many people travel at the holidays to be closer to their families, to escape the winter cold, as an excuse to get away, or the unlucky few have to travel for work during this period.  Many choose property in London to enjoy the festive season break if it's just for a long weekend or several week stay.  Those who are away from home need not spend the holidays without their traditional decorations, which bring a festive spirit to seasonal celebrations.  Use thse ideas to decorate your holiday home-away-from-home this Christmas:

Pick up some lights: Flickering, blinking, all-weather and multi-coloured, Christmas lights are an easy way to brighten up your holiday home without hassle or high expense.  If you're not going far, simply pack the lights you like, and if you're going abroad pick up a string at the local market and string them along handrails, fireplaces, mantels, window frames or trees and flick on the switch!

Buy local ornaments:  Whether you're vacationing in London or Louisiana, you'll find festive season ornaments to hang from a small tabletop tree or decorations to place on the coffee table in your holiday accommodation.  This could mean a snowglobe, candy bowl, set of spiced candles or porpourri.  This is a great way to get to know local customs, which differe widely in terms of tradition and cuisine.  Don't worry about not being able to hang decorations on rented walls; collect ivy or holly and drape them on picture frames and windows, or pick up a poinsettia to add color.

Hang your stockings:  Keeping Christmas traditions in a holiday home may require creative problem solving, but it can be done.  If there isn't a fireplace or mantle from which to hang stockings, hang them from the doorknob of the children's bedroom door.  Collect napkins, tablecloths, flowers and candles in Christmas colours of red, green, orange, silver and gold, and keep your holiday cheer in your home-away-from home this season.  

Christmas décor is as charming as it is personal to you.