Festive Frame-Ups

For winter festivities, Gloria Sobral employs several framing strategies to make seasonal treasures stand out. Try these three tips for boosting the visual impact of holiday displays:

1.Dress up woodwork.

Paneled cabinet doors are ready-made frames for ornaments and artwork. Windows are natural frames as well. Gloria hangs gingerbread figures on her kitchen cabinet doors. She also mounts signage along flat horizontal surfaces like fireplace friezes.

2.Gather greenery.

Drape swags and garlands to call attention to windows, or string them across open shelves and fireplace mantels. Add fruits, nuts and berries for a homespun touch.

3.Convert a container.

Tip an open basket, bowl, mold or crate on its side, and fill with a wintry vignette, artwork or collectibles. In her kitchen, Gloria placed a small Christmas tree within a rectangular basket and a tray within a round basket. “It draws your eye and gives a little life to what’s inside,” she explains.