It may be the season for holly and jolly, but with all of the "to do" lists at this time of the year, festive emotions can often be lost in the rush to get to the finish line.
Home is where traditions begin. The same star at the top of your tree, the story read on Christmas Eve, the cookie recipe from your Aunt Mary are all things that you want exactly the same year after year. It is what we pass down from one generation to the next. But the most important tradition for all of us to share with family and friends is a joyful home.
The lights, the greenery, the guests, our homes are most alive during the winter holidays. For those of us who are "house people" we can go into overdrive. Because this is the time of the year when our homes are the homiest!
My holiday design adventure never begins with a rigged plan. I "begin" in the attic of my garage and I tear through boxes in which I thought I would remember exactly what was in them from the year before. I never remember! That may be a good thing. It allows me to be a bit different with my holiday design every year.
I also continue in the holiday decorating gauntlet for days, adding, subtracting and tweaking until I get it right for me. It is never perfect. It is a bit unstudied but it is my tradition. I say to my friends who love to jog, run, do pilates or walk for miles how lucky they are that they love exercise. I do exercise because I know it is good for me, but do I love it? No! But making a home comfortable, beautiful and joyful are all things I do love. And so the holiday season is a time for us "homies" to shine.
With Pinterest, Houzz, design blogs and all in between, ideas are plentiful in this age of electronic innovation. But the following are a few of my tried-and-true holiday design ideas.
n Put a little Christmas cheer in your usual home accessories. Fill a silver bowl with Christmas balls. Add a little greenery and it takes center-stage.
n Christmas balls are a great design tool. They can be multi colored or one color. As those of you who read this column would already expect, I have many chartreuse colored ornaments. I use them everywhere. I add large frosted pinecones to containers throughout my home. A touch here and there.
n I love mixing the organic elements with something shiny and glittery. This is the season when you can overdo! Something as simple as a blue and white bowl in the kitchen filled with tangerines and oranges can look very festive.
n Begin a collection of something you love about the season. I always loved Santa because he is jolly, chubby, likes cookies and brings presents. What is there not to love? I began collecting Santas years ago. I have all sizes and styles. I remember where and when I got most of them. I group them in all different areas of my home.
My children loved them and this year I began giving them to use in their homes. My grandchildren are 8, 7 and 2, and some of their father's tradition now lives on in their home in New Jersey. My two-year-old granddaughter's eyes lit up and she ran from room to room thrilled to see Santa everywhere. Collections are meant to be shared, so find something you love that is special to this time of the year.
n Add something new every year. This is what keeps you motivated and keeps your holiday design fresh. This year for me was lacquered magnolia wreaths. I found them at the New York design market and it was love at first sight. They came in many sizes and colors. I choose lime green and have hung them in many windows in my home. They do not need a ribbon and again it is mixing the organic with the shiny.
A practical tip: wreath hanging has never been easier with 3M Command hooks. You can attach the hook anywhere and it does not damage woodwork or paint. I wish I had invented them but so happy someone did!
n Choose a color scheme and let it move from room to room. Your particular color can be the traditional red and green that we all associate with the holidays. But it can also be all shades of the spectrum. I use green with gold and white, but red pops up too. The beauty of holiday decorating is that it can be unstudied. The ornaments on your tree can be a mixture of both old and new. Choose large balls in your color of choice to bring it all together.
n Christmas trees and greenery - Just a few thoughts on this. The idea of an artificial tree that is pre-lit is very tempting. I love lots and lots of lights and not having to do it myself is a wonderful thought. But I confess, I love the look of untrimmed, fresh-cut trees. The "Charlie Brown Tree" captures my heart and I am willing to spend whatever time it takes to have this as our tree.
String your lights vertically from top to bottom instead of wrapping them horizontally. You can hide the light cords easily and get more lights on the tree.
Remember that one rule: artificial or fresh, lots of lights are essential! Fresh or artificial greenery can don your mantles and stairways with bows and berries to complete the look.
n Music and scents - "Along with colors, textures and fragrances, you need music in your rooms to round out the sensory experience." Charlotte Moss I couldn't agree more. Holiday candles are essential whether you love the scent of pine or gardenia. I love to walk in a home that is fragrant.
Have music playing, candles lit, the holiday lights glowing and a welcome sign out for all who are lucky to open your front door! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah.
Happy "Joyful" homes.
Based in Charleston, Pat Bibbee has been designing homes and commercial spaces for more than 25 years. More information on Pat Bibbee Designs can be found at www.patbibbeedesigns.com. Bibbee can be reached at 304-346-1991 or mail@patbibbeedesigns.com. Check out the latest on Pat Bibbee Designs on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Houz.