It's the Holidays!

There is so much out there about holiday decorating, but it just never gets old for me! I hope you feel the same way and appreciate these tips.

Lucas Allen/Country Living

I'm a big fan of traditional trees......you know, the kind with ornaments you've collected over the years. Some may be homemade, some may be from trips, and some you may have bought just because you like them. But when you have two trees (for me, that just covers the big ones), I love theme decorating. My living room tree is trimmed with poinsettias and snowflakes, with a vintage holiday card or two thrown in. You can use live poinsettia with floral water tubes or you can take apart fake plants and use these care-free blooms (which is what I did). Either way, it's a beautiful look.

Robin Stubbert/Country Living

And what about mantels? While I'm not a fan of mirrors on mantels because they usually reflect the ceiling, if you put a beautiful arrangement in front of the mirror, you have double beauty! Simplicity always appeals to me as well, so perhaps just beautiful greens and maybe a few candles will do the trick. Most of us have quite a few decorations, so keeping it simple keeps the decor from being overwhelming. Consider using things you have around the house that aren't necessarily holiday-themed but could be. What about silver candlesticks, branches from the yard spray-painted silver and in a silver vase, or unpainted branches intertwined with battery-operated lights? Inexpensive yet stunning decorations!

Wreaths are a big part of the holidays for me as well. I use them indoors and out. Evergreens make beautiful wreaths, but what about something a little more unusual? Wreaths made from herbs such as bay leaves, rosemary, oregano, and such are not only beautiful but also won't be thrown out at the end of the season. Add a few oranges or cranberries - and maybe a bunch or two of grapes - for color and you're done! Eucalyptus leaves also make gorgeous wreaths, particularly when the leaves are spray-painted metallic gold or silver.

However you decide to decorate for the holidays, make sure it reflects YOU! Just like design throughout the year, your home should be a reflection of you and your family, not what you see in the magazines. So put out what you love, then sit back and enjoy! It will be over before you know it.

Late Fall Decorating

Or does that become holiday decorating? Late fall certainly covers Thanksgiving and by the time winter officially begins, Christmas decorating (for those who celebrate) has usually been completed. But there's so much more to late fall decorating than just holidays!

Fall vegetables make wonderful late fall decorations - and not just pumpkins. Kale, eggplant, purple cabbage, pomegranates, and ornamental peppers are all beautiful. Take inspiration from the colors, shapes, and textures and bring them into your decorating scheme.

Tabletop arrangements and mantels are of course lovely, but what about your entry? Can you bring some of those colors into your decorating scheme so people see it when they walk in the door? The entry is often a place where we can add a little color drama without conflicting with your entire decorating scheme, so see if you can add a beautiful eggplant pillow, throw, or entry table arrangement.

Courtesy HGTV

If adding fall colors is a bit much, what about using bare branches and some simple things from nature? The fruit, feather, and pine cone in this photo add interest to the beautiful display of branches, combining rustic and elegant at the same time.

Texture is also important at this time of year. And you can add that to any room without disturbing the color scheme. Cozy throws and soft pillows in any color add texture to any room, while faux fur rugs and floor pillows make lounging on the floor as inviting as the furniture!

Whatever you do, make sure your fall decorating is all about you.......and that it makes you feel happy every time you walk in the door!