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Home Owner Advice
Dec 10, 2008
12:14 PM
Resident Expert

Holiday Homes with High Style

By Kristen Walsh, Designer, EXPO Design Center in New Rochelle
I love Christmas because it’s such a family-oriented holiday. When I dig out the decorations today, it’s still in the spirit of holidays past, when my family and I decked our halls together, transforming our house into a festive space that set the tone for celebrating. I find a smaller-sized tree and place white lights around my apartment. I love to slip in natural elements, such as garland around a mirror and put tall branches in a tall, glass vase 
 
Winter whites can work with both contemporary and classic styles depending upon the designs; try using varying shades of white—from icy shades in the lightest of gray or blue to creamy tones—in order to add texture and depth. Add plush ivory rugs, white decorative pillows, scattered alabaster candles, and a creamy throw and you’ve completed a look. This year, shoppers are oohing and aahing over EXPO’s Peacock collection, which features eye-catching shades of blue and purple and gold for a look that incorporates nature and glamour in one fell swoop. Feathers are found in wreaths and in trees; mini peacocks adorn tabletops.
Peacocks pop up in trees and on mantels at EXPO.
 
No matter what your home décor tastes, consider some of these ideas when ‘tis the season for a chic Christmas look.
 Entryway/Foyer
1. Make a statement before guests even step inside by dressing up the outside of your house as well as your interiors. Consider installing a stunning new doorknocker with coordinating house numbers and accent pieces, particularly those with a winter theme, such as the Madison Spruce Wreath with pinecones, sticks, and berries.
2. Once over the threshold, greet guests with cheerful, pre-lit garland wrapped along staircase banisters and holiday-themed accessories such as table toppers, bowls of whimsical ornaments, and candles thoughtfully placed on foyer tables.
 
 Elegant but cheery ornaments, strategically placed around the home, can add a festive note.
 
3. Swap out area rugs, mirrors, and other accessories for warm winter looks for a fully finished look.
 
Living Room
1. Fill a living space with the spirit of the season by adding brilliant window treatments and accent pillows. We have hundreds of designs in a beautiful array of fabrics at EXPO that can coordinate with the homeowner’s existing décor. Some of them, like those with white beading or rich burgundy tapestry, work especially well with holiday décor.
 
 
2. Add drama to the mantel with glamorous ornaments, figurines, and candles. For homeowners who don’t have fireplaces, electric fireplaces, such as the Melrose Electric Fireplace Media Mantel, can mimic the effect of the real deal.

The Melrose Electric Fireplace Media Mantel includes a shelf for audio/video components, ample storage and doors that can be configured with wood, glass or speaker grill inserts.
 
3. Go green. For eco-friendly homeowners who can’t bear the thought of cutting down a stately evergreen for its temporary showcase in their homes, consider an artificial Christmas tree. Today’s versions are light years ahead of the plastic-looking versions of our childhood. We’ve found that shoppers are surprised by how beautiful—and easy—our pre-lit varieties are (they range from 7 ½ feet to 12 feet). No stress, no mess.
Pre-lit Christmas trees (from $199 to $975) looks like the real thing—minus the maintenance.
 
Dining Room
1. Entertain family and friends with a merry centerpiece and other ornamental favorites that bring good cheer to the table. Consider a bowl filled with ornament balls or a gold vase topped with candy canes. Keep your color scheme and theme in mind to help coordinate looks.
 2. Use tableware appropriate for the season and crystal glassware to help set the mood. A velvet tablecloth is instantly updated when found in a shade of white, topped with silver napkins.
3. Accommodate guests with seasonally stylish extra seating, such as the Red Peacock Chair in red and gold. Coordinating furniture pieces, particularly those used as needed, with holiday decorating themes, helps to synchronize holiday looks.
Red Peacock Chair ($399)

KRISTIN WALSH IS A DESIGNER AT EXPO DESIGN CENTER IN NEW ROCHELLE.

EXPO Design Center, 8 Joyce Rd.,
New Rochelle (914) 637-5600 expo.com

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