Editor’s Letter
It’s hard to believe the year is coming to a close and that it soon will be time to wind down from all the holiday celebrations and settle in for winter. One of the toughest things for me—besides the snow and frigid temperatures—is watching my neighborhood go from cheery to dreary once all the twinkling lights go dim. Although the outdoors might be bare, I plan to make sure my home doesn’t follow suit when my Christmas finery is packed away. Here are a few ideas that I want to try out so that my home will transform beautifully between seasons:
❄ Get Flakey. Snowflake ornaments are great decorative staples that can be repurposed in a variety of ways after the holidays. For example, to foster a warm welcome at your front entrance, attach several snowflake ornaments and pinecones to an artificial or fresh wreath and adorn it with a burlap bow. (See “Creative Conversions” on pages 8–9 for more inviting door decor and homeowner Vickie Rutherford’s tips for stretching your Christmas trimmings in “Holiday Holdouts” on page 49.)
❅ Create a Sensation. Add vibrant fruit and fragrant plants to your displays to lighten the mood during the cold winter days. The color and scent of cinnamon sticks, eucalyptus, clove-studded oranges and lemons all awaken the senses and keep you connected to nature. (Matthew Mead shares how to use collectibles to showcase natural elements in “Thrifty Thinking” on pages 12–15.)
❆ Wrap It Up. If you have an old sweater that’s not in good enough condition to donate, don’t trash it—turn it into a charming vase cozie instead. Simply cut off a sleeve, hem the cut end(s) to prevent fraying, and slip a cylindrical vase inside. Sew a few buttons onto the material before inserting the container, or tie a checked or plaid ribbon around the finished piece to dress it up. (Turn to “Decorate with Crafts” on pages 58–61 for other sweater recycling projects from Country Sampler stylist René Haines.)
We hope these articles and the beautiful homes featured in this issue provide plenty of decorating direction to help you maintain lively and livable spaces until spring!