Decorate for the season with shimmer and shine
The holiday season is the time to really allow your home to sparkle. For a few weeks every year, over-the-top is just what’s called for. And it is so much fun to create the dazzle and then enjoy everyone’s “oohs” and “aahs.”
My theme this year is winter wonderland, which combines the natural beauty of evergreens with many shades of snowy white and the glitter of silver. It’s dreamy, fresh and enchanting. The fireplace mantel is the focal point of my living room and this is where I start.
The base or backbone of the mantel’s decorations is the green garland. Because the mantel will be set up for three or four weeks, I use artificial boughs. Add ornaments in clusters for greater impact. Fill a tall glass vase with silver balls, and set up candles (battery operated is safest) to give height and dimension to the scene. A silver reindeer and oversized snowflakes fit the theme.
Hanging stockings for Santa builds the excitement. I’ve borrowed from a traditional textured fabric called matelassé. Its stitching technique gives the effect of being quilted, and is appearing in bedding coverlets and cushions.
Fill in any spaces with little gift boxes wrapped in silver and white. For a party, a bowl of fresh white carnations or roses nestled into the garland makes a stunning finish.