Designing Christmas

Designing Christmas and holiday decor is just as important as designing rooms and interiors throughout the year. Holiday decor follows the same techniques and trends we use every day in the world of design. Coordinating colors, hues and textures tie a room together to create an astounding impression.

Tassels by Finestra Decorative Hardware

Eye-Candy

Holiday design is all about aesthetics. Pulling the theme of your room through to your holiday design is one way to accentuate and create heightened drama. For instance, a wreath designed out of peacock feathers (as shown at the top of page) not only adds texture to a space, but also lends itself well to an avian inspired room theme.

Linear movement within your design visually pulls the eye through the treatment. Accents that are thin or long in shape are part of this year's trend in holiday design. These "linear" embellishments include tassels (as shown above), icicles, ribbon, and crystals.

Star Medallions by Finestra Decorative Hardware
Mary McDonald's Ribbon Tree with Peacock Topper - Veranda

Over-the-top Toppers

The design mantra over the past few years has been "Less is more". That is not the case for Christmas Tree Toppers...More is better! And, re-using the previous year's topper is perfectly apropos. Just add to it, on top of it, around it, etc. Accents in ribbons, wire, feathers, tassels and netting are ways to accentuate the top and most illustrious part of the tree.

Sparkle
Over sized ornaments are key in highlighting your holiday theme. These invariably can add the "sparkle" to your design and follow this year's top design finishes of matte golds, platinum silvers, and natural patinas. Decorative sprays are also a good way to add texture and metallic accents of platinum, matte gold and copper.