Search Results for: blog decorating tips your fireplace and mantel

Elements of Rustic Style

If you are looking for a decorating idea, why not consider the rustic style. It is warm, inviting and cozy. Think of sitting in a plush chair by a crackling fire. And although you can really go high end with rustic style, it also lends itself to budget decorating. Here are some of the guidelines of rustic style as well as some tips on creating this look in your own home. The rustic style should induce a sense of an inspiration from nature and a sense of nostalgia. This style is very timeless and can work the throughout the year, … Continue reading →

Decorating Tips For Your Thanksgiving Dinner Table—Part 2

We’re turning the spotlight on the Thanksgiving dinner table. The big feast day is now just five days away. Sure, the table is the place where the holiday bird takes center stage with it’s supporting cast of side dishes, but it’s also where you can show off your decorating prowess, even if you don’t consider yourself in the same league as Martha Stewart. Here are more ways you can add spark to your holiday dinner table: Flower Power Consider skipping the traditional fall gimmicks of pinecones, pumpkins and plastic turkey table toppers and brightening your table with fresh chrysanthemums or … Continue reading →

Holidays: Seven Tips to Set the Stage

Here are seven quick, easy tips to set the stage and the mood for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any occasion: Set a Great Table Let your dining table become the focal point. Even if you do very little decorating elsewhere, your table can set the entire mood for any occasion. Set the Mood with Music and Lighting Soft, soothing music floating gently through the air can help create a special ambience. Lighting can also play an important role. Keep entertaining areas bright, airy, and upbeat. Do Seasons instead of (or along with) Occasions You don’t have to have turkeys, pumpkins, dried … Continue reading →

Home: Week in Review, November 5-11

Here is your week at a glance, covering all the articles posted in Home this week. This time, they appear in descending order, starting with Saturday, November 11 (Veterans Day) and working back to the start of the week. Marjorie, Michele, and I have been busy discussing lots of different issues. Marjorie is keeping all of us on our toes with more great tips for entertaining. She’s even tackled the tough issues, like getting ready for guests, in “The Guest Bathroom: Scary Stuff!” and then discussed how guests might be tempted to overstay their welcome in “Don’t Be TOO Nice … Continue reading →

What To Know Before You Light That First Fire Of The Season

It’s in the 30’s today in the Upper Midwest—a lot of residents here are recovering from a moderate storm that dumped up to 14 inches of snow in some spots. With chilly temperatures and a fresh blanket of snow outside, nothing is better than coming indoors to warm up in front of a roaring fire. Sounds inviting, but without taking the proper precautions, that warm and toasty fire can come back to burn you. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, there are approximately 11,000 chimney fires in the United States every year, which cause more than $7 million in … Continue reading →

Quick Decorating Tips For Thanksgiving

Decorating for the holidays can be a tiresome chore. We want our house to look festive and decorative, but it can be costly all the same. It doesn’t have to be! You can do a lot of different things around your home to bring the festivity of the holiday to every corner without breaking the bank each time! The Table: – When decorating your Thanksgiving table, think colors. Browns, yellows, oranges, and reds are what symbolizes the season. – Use food for decorating. Pumpkins, gourds, grapes, pomegranates, apples and other items are perfect for a Thanksgiving table. – Use clusters … Continue reading →

Countdown To The Holidays

It’s official (just pop into any retail store) the Holiday countdown has begun. As of today there are 18 days left until Thanksgiving, 41 days until the start of Hanukkah, and 50 days until Christmas. Are you ready? If you aren’t then you’ll want to make frequent visits to the HOME blog over the next few weeks. I have a feeling you won’t be disappointed. Sherry, Marjorie and I will provide you with some our favorite holiday decorating tips and share practical information about preparing your home for all those out-of-town guests. To get you started, here are a few … Continue reading →

Decorating Tips: Your Fireplace and Mantel

During the spring and summer months they may be two of the most overlooked items in your home. But once winter rolls around the fireplace and mantel become the center of attention. If you have a fireplace then you know–home is where the hearth is. And, with the amount of time friends and family members spend warning their hands and feet by the flames, you are almost guaranteed that they will be looking at your mantel. Long before you haul your Christmas tree indoors your fireplace and mantel can kick-start the holiday season. A mantel may be small (which makes … Continue reading →