'Tis the season...

 

Oh Christmas tree, how lovely are thy branches...

A client asked me a few weeks ago what decorations to use for her tree. "Anything that makes you happy and that mean something to you", I replied, knowing the result might look nothing close to a "designer tree", but instead would be very unique and personal.

I like that approach.

I think a Christmas tree is great for letting your personality shine through and for telling your story, whether it's about travels, hobbies, traditions or culture.

Following my own background, this Christmas I'm all over simple straw decorations, that are such a big part of the Swedish Christmas tradition.


"The real thing", bought in Sweden a few years ago.

I've made a few pieces using local materials to complement the store-bought ornaments that were already in my tree.

For a beginner straw crafter, I'm pretty happy with the result, which makes for cute little hostess gifts these holidays. Check them out below.

Wishing you Happy and Safe Holidays!
See you in 2015!



Hand-made straw star à la Nina.

Here's another shape I tried, with added

plumes in the corners.

 



 

Materials. I got the straw from the roadside along HW 17,

just west of North Bay. The waxed thread is from Lee Valley Tools

and the wool yarn from Stix and Stones in North Bay.

 

Speaking of Christmas trees, isn't this metal one just the coolest?

Made by Kathleen Atkinson-Hindle. Available at Art on Main.



Decorating: knowing when to stop

It's OK to go over board for Christmas. But instead of
decorating the whole house, try it in a few designated
areas. Photo: Livet hemma.

So you've found a great backsplash and now you want to apply it to all three kitchen walls.

And in the living room, you're finally happy with the many colour-coordinated pillows in the couch. (At the same time you're observing how guests perch awkwardly at the edge of the sofa instead of sinking into the sea of softness.)

If these scenarios sound familiar, you might have given in to over decorating. Don't worry, you're in good company; design magazines are filled with interiors like that!

In an effort to make our homes "perfect", it's easy to achieve something that looks overdone and that is not practical to live with. Knowing when to stop takes practice, and is also a matter of personal taste.

To get it right, I find it helpful to take the approach of a film director: a good movie features one or two stars, while the rest of the cast are supporting actors. The supporting actors give the framework and time for the stars to build their characters. Compare it to "breathing room" and space around a stellar feature in a home.

This can also be applied to Christmas decorating. I say: focus on a few rooms in your home, or even a designated corner of a room, and let the jewels glimmer without competition. Does that strike a bell? Will you try it?

In my mind, this is too much of a good thing. I'm talking about the backsplash. I would have applied it to the window wall only, making this the feature wall with the wonderful greenery outside. Photo: Houzz.

Practical holiday entertaining

Photo: Bengt & Lotta.

Only a couple of days to Christmas! Some of us will host large groups during the holidays, and that puts extra demands on the logistics of our homes.

Here are five easy ways to create practical flow and stylish organization when entertaining this Christmas:

1) Place an inexpensive shelving unit at the front door, where guests can put their snowy boots. It looks so much better than a jumble of footwear around the door.

2) In the living room, replace a big coffee table with multiple smaller tables that can be easily moved.

3) Use trays to organize your kitchen counters. Glasses on one tray, different kinds of beverages on another.

4) Convert a dresser or side table in the living room into a beverage refill station. It will reduce the traffic to the kitchen.

5) Remove small area rugs and runners. They can be tripping hazards when many people are moving around in the house.

Have a wonderful Christmas! Happy entertaining, and enjoy the fact that from now on the days are getting longer!

Dreaming of a white Christmas

Tulips in December? That's an early start, but I'll
take it, thanks to the Metro store in North Bay

and my thoughtful husband. Whether we'll have
a white Christmas or not, I know my home will
be partly dressed in white for the holidays.

Winter is off to a flying start! At the rate we're going, there's a good chance we'll have a white Christmas.

Will that be true also for the interiors of our homes? Not so sure; the traditional red and green, gold, silver, and to some extent icy blue, continue to be the go-to colours this time of the year. 

I have always liked the idea of a white Christmas. I know, it's not warm and cozy, and it doesn't fit all interiors. But paired with the greenery of the tree, pine cones and wood, it feels so airy, fluffy and light - just like snow. And: it's hard to get tired of!

The colour injection can come from other things, such as food, beverages, porcelain and napkins.

Be inspired by these white Christmas interiors from the company Bemz:

 

Simply Christmas

Christmas is in full swing - at least in our stores and decorating magazines.

It's easy to get stressed out about the holidays, but my advice is: don't fret it! After all, much more  important than "the perfectly decorated home" - if there is such thing - is the opportunity to enjoy the season with family and friends. Really!

As a tribute to my relaxed, "simply Christmas" philosophy, here are a few easy decorating ideas, done with a twinkle in the eye.

Photo: Roomservice.blogg.se





Photo: Houzz. Other Metro Media &

Bloggers Kootut murut

.



Areaware's Infinite tree stands 17" high and can

take on three cool looks.

 

 

Photo: Sköna Hem. "New take" on the traditional

Poinsettia. This is an easy one to copy!

 

A 3D Christmas calendar, with a surprise for every day.

Photo: IKEA. Livet hemma.

    

Photo: Houzz. Photographers Rikki Snyder.

 



Photo: Houzz. Planet Fur.

 

Ideas for your holiday table

Holiday table à la Homesense. Note the china

in alternating colours, the varied heights of

vases and decorations, and the sparkles from

candles and glass balls.

Preparing your holiday table can be very enjoyable, especially if you have plenty of time and a few helpers. Here are ten tips on how to add interest and personal touches to your arrangements:

1) Think layers. Start with charger plates or placemats atop a table cloth and work your way up with  plates of different sizes. Mix patterned and solid-coloured china.
2) Throw in vintage pieces. Scout thrift stores for unique serving bowls or, if you're lucky, simply open your cupboards and take out grandma's old porcelain.
3) Bring in something from nature. 
Small spruce tree branches don't just look pretty, they also spread a lovely holiday scent. Pine cones and grey, dry moss look authentic in a centrepiece arrangement.
4) Personalize your guests' place cards. Handmade paper has a nice texture. Add layers of paper in complementary colours and varied thicknesses.
5) Think beyond red and green. There are so many other nice colour combinations for Christmas; light blue and silver, gold and purple, red and turquoise.
6) Prepare a feast for all the senses. No need for artificial fragrances with all the wonderful natural scents from food, beverages, pine trees...  Cloves in mandarins look and smell wonderful. Textured table cloths and napkins feel good to the touch.

7) Make sure the vases, candles and other decorations on your holiday table are of different heights.
8) Add some sparkle. Whether it's a mirrored tray or glass balls in a bowl, reflective surfaces on your table will make the light bounce around and spread interest.
9) Think beyond poinsettias! Why? Because they are so predictable! Surprise your guests with a more unexpected flower on the table.
10) Want more drama? Dim the lights and add yet another candle.



Light blue and silver make an elegant colour

combination for Christmas. These trees

are from the Green Store in North Bay.

Include something green, complementary scents,

layers and textures... Your personalized place cards

will be a hit!

So are you going with the real thing this Christmas, or

are you also a fan of the "real lite" battery-operated

candles, as seen at the Green Store?

Retailers' Christmas picks

 
Christmas preparations are in full swing! Everything is right here, so there is no need to leave North Bay to celebrate in style. I asked local retailers to share their treasured holiday items and ideas. Read on for some of their suggestions:


A new use for grandma's white crocheted doilies:
hip and decorative snowballs, as seen at the FARM.
These doilies are from Antiques at Deegan's. Be
sure to scroll down to the end of the posting for
DIY instructions. You  too can make these beautiful
snowballs!!

The Farm carries these cozy mittens, made in Hamilton,
ON by SLO Mittens. Katie Bevan, the FARM: "This is a
new purpose for those old "ugly" sweaters we all wore
in the 90's. The mittens fit nicely and are lined with eco
fleece. They are so soft you'll want to climb right in and
curl up! They come in two different sizes and retail for $38."

And here is yet another way to use granma's
doilies. Pillow from the FARM.



A soft, red throw from the Great Room.

Nancy Fullerton: "This looks great for
the Christmas season, but can be used
all winter long. Nothing better than having
a cozy throw wrapped around you on a
cold night!"

 




How about a TV stand from the Cutter's Edge?
Megan, the Cutter's Edge: "This is a great and
popular spouse gift. It can be passed down for
generations.  Since customers can choose their
own stain colour and wood it’s easy to make it
match in any home."

Plush Santa/Moose/Snowman, also from

the Cutter's Edge. 



And here are the instructions for the crocheted snowballs, courtesy of the FARM's Katie Bevan. Make at least three of them, or five, for a decorative display (odd numbers generally look best).

You need:
- Balloons (the punching balloons that you can get at the party store are best)
- Doilies
- White craft glue from the hardware store (more affordable than the glue sold at art stores), with a very little bit of water to make it smoother to put on
- Brush to apply the glue to the balloons
- String for hanging the snowballs
- LED lights (optional) for inside the balls

Inflate the balloons, wrap  the doilies around them and apply generous quantities of glue. Hang to dry for about 24 hours. Pop the balloon when you are sure the glue is dry, and remove it. If the decorations deflate, just soak them with water and re-glue. Easy peasy!

Check out this link for more details and inspiration, and have fun:

http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2011/3/4/diy-doily-lamp.html

Do you have other great DIY Christmas ideas? Drop me a line and send a photo!

Easing into the holiday spirit

Nothing says Christmas more than candles... 
I love the soft glow from this electric advent
candleholder.  

Fake or real? More or less? Same old or something new? I'm talking about Christmas decorations. Some of us unpack them after Halloween. Others wait until the day before the holidays. Whatever your preference, I'm sure that your home is taking on a festive mood.

For more inspiration and ideas, why not head out this Saturday to attend the first annual Christmas Home Tour? St. Andrew's United Church puts on this fundraiser, featuring five North Bay area homes. Buy your tickets at Century 21, Gulliver's, Leon's and From the Heart Flower Boutique. The organizers promise an exciting mix of styles and decorating tastes!

That event, plus tomorrow's Downtown Christmas Walk should put us all in a holiday spirit. Now it's official: Christmas definitely is around the corner! No more excuses; my own decorations are going up this weekend.

Clarion Christmas Show this Sunday

Come see me at the Christmas Artisan Show at the Clarion this Sunday, November 25!

I will be selling some of the products featured in my recent blog "Design that makes you smile"; cutting boards, tea towels, oven mitts, table runners and more. 

So unique, so playful, and so perfect as hostess gifts this season!

What: Christmas Artisan Show
Where: Clarion Resort Pinewood Park in North Bay, ON
When: Sunday, November 25, 2012, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

See you there!

Christmas vignettes

Homesense's take on a Christmas vignette.

Check out their store in Sudbury for more ideas!

Create groupings of Christmas decorations this season! A vignette, or grouping of objects, is often more impactful than placing decorations throughout the house. Why? Because many pieces together make a bigger statement. How to get it right is often a matter of trial and error.

Start with a completely empty space. It can be a sidetable, your fireplace mantel or a bookshelf. Take out your Christmas treasures and start experimenting. It helps if you mix pieces of different materials, shapes and heights. Colourwise, you can go with complementary colours, or one single colour.

Remember to stand back every so often to see how it looks.

A vignette is the perfect way

to show off your personality 

and objects you love, whatever 

your style is.

You can also follow what TV hosts Steven and Chris call the "triangle theory". Here's their step-by-step guide for decorating a fireplace mantel:

Step 1: Centre your largest piece, such as an oversized mirror, on the mantel.

Step 2: Layer smaller pieces in front of the mirror.

Step 3: On the left side, add an object with movement. Sculptural, tall candle holders are a good option.

Step 4: Include something that shows off your personality; souvenirs from your travels, books you love, etc.

Step 5: On the right side, incorporate an element with visual weight. A vase filled with tall branches, for example, looks great.

Step 6: Finish off with accessories that vary in height. Try boxes and books.

Voilà! You have created your own, personalized vignette! What do you think, will you try it for Christmas?

Crafty Christmas Creations

Berries framed in ice. Pour water in a shallow pan and leave

outside in freezing conditions. Loosen carefully and stick in the 

snow. To achieve a crystal clear, transparent surface, the ice 

should form as slowly as possible, i.e. not in extremely cold 

temperatures. In the freezer, the ice often turns frosty, not 

clear.

The countdown for Christmas has begun; only a few more weeks to go! Out comes the box with decorations (it's a pretty big box), and along with it, my special collection of holiday DIY objects. These projects are all simple, unique and beautiful - exactly what I wish for the season. They often also involve an activity that can be shared with others. So, double the fun! After all, isn't that what this time of year is all about?

I'd love to hear about your favourite Christmas project! What's cooking in your own DIY workshop?

You'll need a heart-shaped cookie cutter, 

a flower bud and thin wire to make

this adorable outdoor decoration. Put the

flower bud in the cookie cutter, shape the

the wire as a loop. Add water, making

sure the wire is immersed in water. Freeze.

Hold the heart in your hands for awhile and 

it will come out from the cookie cutter and

will be ready to hang.

Who doesn't like ginger cookies?

Not only do they taste good, they 

also look fabulous in the Christmas

tree!

More ginger cookies, this time made of felted wool. 

Paperwhites are the ultimate Christmas flower. 

Delicate, proud and sweet.

Plant them in a tall glass

container to enhance the

vertical shape. The visible

root system adds texture

and interest.

A creative spin on the traditional wreath.

This one is made of recycled sweaters, 

yes sweaters, cut in squares and triangles.

I saw it in Chatelaine last year and thought

it was ingenious! You'll need thick-gauge

wire, 3 to 5 old sweaters, good fabric scissors

and ribbon. Bend the wire into the shape of a 

wreath with a loop at one end. Thread the

knitted squares onto the wire, until 1 inch of the

wire remains. Feed the wire end through the loop

and twist to close. Finish off with a large bow.

Another stunning wreath from Chatelaine, this

one made from pot scrubbers!

Apples double as candle holders. 

Natural and simple.