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Simple Ways To Accessorize For The Holidays

By
Home Stager with Creative Home Expressions

vase fillerPhoto courtesy of Pottery Barn

To help keep your decorating simple yet seasonal, Kathy Passarette of Long Island, New York based Creative Home Expressions, a interior decorating, home staging and redesign firm, offers these tips:

     Clear glass vases from Pottery Barn (starting at $24) or apothecary jars from decorator discount stores such as Home Goods (starting at $12.99) offer a wealth of opportunity for decorating.  Fill these creative "blank canvases" with Faux Cranberry Vase Filler from Pottery Barn for $14, German Glitter Stars Vase Filler for $19 or Pinecone Vase Filler for $14.  These make a great statement and give you a seasonal touch without being overwhelming. 

     FLOR carpet tiles from InterfaceFLOR allow you to make your own runner, doormat or area rug just for the holidays.  These innovative and colorful carpet tiles come in Spiroflake and Tannenbaum specifically for this time of year.  When the holidays are over, take it apart and pack it away for next year.

     Fill a wall with a temporary holiday greeting or favorite quote, like "Every time a bell rings an angel gets its wings".  Wonderful Graffiti has pre-made quotes or you can create your own.  These removable transfers will come right off after the holidays.  You may like them so much you'll leave them up year round.  Visit them at http://secure.wonderfulgraffiti.com/

      You can pick up a set of 6 glass chargers at Target for $35.99.  Showcase your existing china by placing it on top of these chargers.  Target also carries holiday themed chargers if you want to add a little seasonal touch to plain china.

      Two of Ballard Designs Preserved Boxwood Topiaries and a little ribbon get your mantel set for the holidays.  This simple touch adds a festive look, and when the holidays are over, just remove the ribbon.

      Slipcovers are a great way to dress up your furniture for the holidays.  From dining chairs to sofas you can find something in every price range at Surefit Slipcovers, Linens ‘n Things and JC Penney, to name a few.  They can be temporary touches or full-time fix-ups.

These quick and simple decorating tips can help you get through the hustle and bustle of the holidays, so you can enjoy more time with family and friends.

For more tips and information visit Creative Home Expressions at http://www.creativehomeexpressions.com .

 

 

Comments(14)

Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

Kathy it seems we're on the same holiday wavelength this AM!  I just posted a blog about decorating/staging for the holidays too! You've got some great suggestions here.

Nov 30, 2007 01:22 AM
Gayle Balaban
The Best Spot Realty/Waterfront Real Estate/Ooltewah Real E - Chattanooga, TN
E. TN Waterfront Real Estate
The holidays are such a great time to show off a good home.  This is a fun time of year to accessorize.
Nov 30, 2007 01:32 AM
M A
Boston, MA

Kathy,

Great ideas!  I love visiting friends this time of year (actually... I like visiting them any time of year).  I like seeing how different people decorate and try to pick up new ideas. 

Nov 30, 2007 01:38 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Karen ~ Thanks! I had just went over to read and comment on yours!  Happy Holidays!

Gayle ~ Thanks for commenting!  You're right, it is a fun time to accessorize, probably a little more than we normally would!

Martin ~ Thanks! I like to see how other people decorate too, especially if there is a theme going on.

Nov 30, 2007 02:07 AM
Teresa Meyer
Cincinnati Home Stager - Cincinnati, OH
Home Staging Cincinnati-OH.
Kathy: Just love these ideas! I think a home never looks better than at Christmas time...the decorations like the ones you describe just give such a warm, wonderful, inviting feel!
Nov 30, 2007 02:07 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

Kathy, I really enjoyed your post.  Those square glass vases are great aren't they?  You can do so many things with them.  I love the floor runner idea.  Thanks for sharing!

Nov 30, 2007 04:39 AM
Kristina Leone
Lionheart Home Staging, LLC - Minneapolis, MN
Great information.  The candle is beautiful!
Nov 30, 2007 07:53 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Teresa ~ Thank you!  I agree, it always looks welcoming and inviting at the holidays!

Charlene ~ Thanks! Those vases are great and so are apothecary jars - they are just so versatile.   I love those particular carpet tiles; I thought that was a great idea that FLOR came out with them. 

Kristina ~ Thank you.  The candle is nice, although I was looking for a picture of a taller vase/jar that I thought they showed at one time with the filler in it.

Nov 30, 2007 09:54 AM
Susan Smith
Rooms That Work LLC - Sandy Hook, CT
Hi Kathy....you make me want to go shopping!  Also, I'm a big fan of FLOR tiles!
Dec 04, 2007 12:26 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating
Susan ~ I make me want to go shopping! I love the FLOR designs for the holidays!
Dec 04, 2007 03:36 AM
Bonnie & Terry Westbrook
Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI
Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Love the removal graffiti idea. GREAT!!  Thanks for some wonderful holiday tips.
Dec 09, 2007 11:56 AM
Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Kathy- I had no idea about the removable graffiti - I'm headed there in just a minute.  Thank you for the link!

Jackie

Dec 09, 2007 03:39 PM
penny white
Jacksonville, FL
Kathy- This is such a wonderful time of year to share,I love visiting friends and of course all of the home stores for all the great ideas. Merry Christmas, etc.etc.etc.
Dec 09, 2007 05:38 PM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Bonnie ~ You're welcome; glad you were able to get something out of the tips!

Jackie ~ It's great, not just for a holiday quote, but if you are considering putting something "permanent" with paint, this is a good way to see how you feel about it before committing.

Penny ~ I do too; it's great to see how people decorate their homes.  Merry Christmas!

Dec 10, 2007 12:06 AM