The Guide to Holiday Prep!
As the holidays approach, we can’t help but notice stores changing over their inventory and reveal this seasons new festive trends. If you’re looking to add the right pieces to complete your look you’ve come to the right place. From simple string lights to new table settings, we’re giving you the scoop on how to avoid the overwhelming feelings of shopping for the holidays. Here are some of our favourite pieces to pepper into your holiday home.
Indoor and Outdoor Lighting
Lighting plays a huge role in overall atmosphere and style, but is usually overlooked. If you’re looking for something to add that extra pop of interest and wow your friends and family think about adding decorative lighting to your indoor or outdoor areas for a warm touch that isn’t just basic Christmas lights. With LED options available, we love the look of Edison lights because they still tie in the holiday feel but are a more unique approach to holiday lighting. Replacing your traditional outdoor Christmas lights, you can make a statement by putting them on your house or trees on your front lawn. Indoors we love the idea of wrapping them in a garland along a staircase, railing or on a mantel. This really adds to the cozy atmosphere. You can also find mini string lights and small bulb lights that offer the same effect for a more style-neutral look.Outdoors think about your windows, railings and doorways. By wrapping the string lights around a garland you avoid the need to make crisp straight lines with your lights.
Candles and Diffusers
When entertaining guests will always remember the subconscious details that made your night so special. Aside from the delicious food, ambience and activating the senses helps spark a mood and atmosphere. So whether you’re a candle lover or are into diffusers, there are so many scents to add to the holiday spirit and create a warm, inviting mood. Diffusers are a great alternative to candles as they release certain molecules that work to purify the air opposed to adding chemicals. Not to mention the fire risk that unattended candles can pose.
The best scents for this time of year to invest in are scents that can carry through different times of the season, not just for one evening. We suggest woodsy notes such as Fraser and Balsam Fir or Pine and Balsa. Sweeter scents are also a staple for this time of year such as gingerbread, chestnut, peppermint, marzipan and nutmeg. Candles and diffusers are the easiest and most beautiful way to add light, scent and decor to your space. There are so many scent options out there, and it can be overwhelming. A good scent can boost your mood, conjure up memories and round out your home decor. We understand fragrance is very personal, but here are four of our favourites that we’ve personally used and tested to help get you started.
Area Rugs
A fantastic rug can bring can complete a space instantly. If you’re looking at that bright rug you bought for the summer it might be a good idea to check out the sales at your local Homesense or favourite furniture store and pick up a rug that will last you the whole winter season. Wherever you choose to put it, down the entryway, living room, or basement. A rug grounds a space and creates a lovely texture that will compliment your room. Great colours to look for include softened tones of blue, dark green and browns.
Neutrals are always a go-to, especially because they can transition between seasons effortlessly so theres no clash come next season. Patterns to keep an eye out for are distressed florals, Persian, abstract and moroccan prints. New rugs often come with care tags much like articles of clothing. So knowing how to care for your rug when it comes to high traffic areas, spills and stains that will inevitably happen if you tend on entertaining. Your area rug should complement the space in a similar way an art piece would. If you end up matching the rug too well to the room it will just blend in, so make sure to coordinate with the other elements in the space to compliment them, not match them.
Serving Dishes
When it comes to serve wear it’s important to keep it in theme with the rest of your decor. Choosing a new set or reusing an old favourite should compliment your holiday setting and will really draw attention to your style. A beautiful set of serving dishes and dinnerware can transform a table setting from something mediocre to something really special. Look for sets that feature fine details like a trim in a contrasting colour or finish and a subtle colour or texture to add an extra splash of interest. We suggest looking at places like The Bay, Ikea, Wayfair, Crate and Barrel and Homesense for a great selection and variety in styles and pricing. Also don’t be afraid to mix sets with different colours or prints. Adding another layer of interest and texture will amplify the setting and create a dynamic look!
We hope this inspired you to focus in on your design goals this season and avoid the stresses that come with shopping over the holidays. Sometimes however, a guide in the right direction is just what you need to pull off your holiday design dream. We’re here to help! Look to our website to find the right package for you and our designers will work with you to create the ultimate festive space with any budget. Also check out our Instagram and Pinterest for updated design tips and inspiration for more.
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