By Joan Kaufman, Ashley South, and Chris Wichmann
As we near the holidays, our thoughts focus on family, entertaining, and staying indoors!
The family room is the center of home enjoyment and a primary focal point of many homes. Decorating your space, particularly your mantel, to fit your personal style can have a dramatic effect on the experience of the season for you and your guests. The hearth is a source of warmth and coziness, and it sets the tone and style of the room and perhaps the entire home.
Identifying your design style will guide the selection of decor. Are you minimalist? Vintage? A collector of Santas? All white? All red? Or do you find yourself full of whimsy and decorate with plumes of peacock feathers? Really anything goes when it comes to decorations. Bring in what you like and be proud of your presentation for family and guests!
For the holidays, we suggest starting simple when thinking about where to start. Garland is a nice foundation (or finish for all the minimalists) to any mantle or shelf in your space. Little Luxuries on Main Street can help you with your selection. They offer a variety of faux pieces to complement any style.
Fresh evergreen garland and boughs offer a nice aesthetic and a beautiful house-filling aroma. The Growing Place and Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts both offer a variety of evergreen boughs, garlands, pinecones, and winter berries in their holiday shop. From there, build with pieces such as ribbons, ornaments, strings of lights that suit your personal style.
Designing (and shopping!) for your space can be fun and exciting – bring friends, shop local, and enjoy your time at home. The possibilities are endless!
M&L’s Holiday Decorating Resource Guide:
Little Luxuries
212 S Main Street
Nona Jo’s
410 W 5th Avenue
The Growing Place
25W471 Plank Road
Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts
1007 E Ogden
Buikema’s Ace Hardware
1030 N Washington Street,
963 W 75th Street
