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Saturday, November 28, 2015 An Advertising Feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Style at Home: Greens, ribbon make holiday displays beautiful – 2 Service Directory – 3 Deck the Halls – 4

2 | Saturday, November 28, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Style at Home:

Greens, ribbons make holiday displays beautiful

By Mary Carol Garrity Tribune News Service

Whether it’s your Christmas tree, bannister, mantel or a tabletop display, the best way to make your holiday decor stunning is to start with my two favorite tools: greens and ribbons. Gorgeous greens take your displays to the next level, and holiday ribbons give them character and charm.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started: Add picks to your tree to make it more lifelike.

The secret to a sensational Christmas tree is to pop it up with greenery picks.

Think of your undecorated tree as the base of your display, that “little black dress” just waiting for the right accents. Before you add the ornaments, tuck in a mix of greenery picks. When you add variations in colors, textures and sizes, you give your tree added dimension. For more drama, use long picks that extend out from the cone of the tree and ascend from the tree’s top.

Make your mantels lush.

Give your mantel display more visual punch by including some long, strong picks that overhang the sides and front of the fireplace. Work in picks that contrast with the base garland on your mantel to bring in more pizzazz, like red berries, silver leaves, bare sticks and pinecones.

Thread greens into displays around your home.

A great way to add a splash of holiday cheer to your home without putting in tons of time is to simply add some greens to your existing displays.

I’m over the moon about birch logs, and we’re having a heyday. You’ll see them on top of book shelves, on table displays and even zip-tied into Christmas trees. We rested a few on top of a bookcase, then filled in with faux pine greens. It’s a great way to give that empty space above your tall cabinets some seasonal charm, and it just takes minutes.

Mix up your ribbons.

Bev, our seasonal floral designer at Nell Hill’s, is a wiz with ribbons, and in display

STYLE continues on 6C

Style at Home/Tribune News Service

Using ribbons can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, November 28, 2015 | 3

Service Directory

4 | Saturday, November 28, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Deck the Halls Inspiring ideas for festive holiday decor Family Features

Among the most treasured of holiday delights is, as the carol says, decking the halls. It’s the perfect excuse to pull out the bling and bring an aura of festivity and fun to your home, whether it’s for your personal enjoyment or setting the stage to celebrate the season with loved ones.

All you need is a little imagination and some design inspiration to create an inviting holiday home, both indoors and out.

Shopping at stores recognized for a wide assortment of quality furnishings, such as Pier 1 Imports, will give you a variety of decor that fits every style at an excellent value. Trim your tree beautifully and learn how to artfully incorporate wreaths and garland into your holiday home decor with Pier 1 Imports’ additional tips for a Christmas as merry and bright as you make it.

A tree worth gathering ’round As the focal point of your holiday trimmings, your Christmas tree should reflect your personal style and make a statement about your holiday spirit. Start by choosing the right theme or look for your tree, from traditional to glamorous to fantastical. Ultimately, you can carry this theme throughout every element of the tree, from the ornaments to the gift wrap to other accents sprinkled throughout.

To get started, select a pre-lit tree in the shape and style that best matches your vision: noble fir or pine, in slim or full silhouettes, the options go on. Be sure to spend

some time fluffing branches for a more natural look, or choose one of Pier 1 Imports’ new memory trees with self-shaping branches that let you start decorating right away with the fastest setup ever.

Begin decorating by placing large elements. Weave garland through the tree branches first. Then start tucking larger ornaments and decor into the branches, placing evenly throughout. Fill in open spaces in the branches with smaller ornaments and floral picks. Keep adding until the branches are filled. Crown your tree with a decorative topper that fits your theme to add height and an extra personal touch.

Adorn the base of the tree with a coordinating tree skirt or collar, and remember, you’re not quite finished until the presents are under the tree. Bundle your gifts with high-quality wrapping paper, gift bags, tags and bows that also fit your theme for a cohesive, finished look from top to bottom.

Creative uses for traditional trimmings Don’t let your vision for a festive holiday home stop at the front door. Wreaths and garlands can actually bring a stylish touch to your holiday decor from the outside in.

You can create a wintery landscape in your home by decking your halls, tables and more with inspired Christmas wreath placements. One idea is to nestle a hurricane in a berry wreath for a burst of color and texture; the candlelight will lend an air of cozy comfort.

Stock Photo/Pier 1 Camera

Candles are one way to light the holiday and create an illusion of warmth.

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Using decorations and wrapping paper to create a central theme.

Home is where the hearth is, and a welladorned mantel is a must. Make a stunning wreath the star of your fireplace display, and incorporate a supporting cast of berry garland and even a woodland creature or two to help make your look complete.

Actually, repurposing garland in different locations throughout your house is another inventive way to infuse Christmas spirit. From staircases to bookshelves to headboards, cleverly installed garland sends a message that you have a passion for the season.

You can even use a shimmering Christmas tree garland as a table runner for a simple but elegant touch of joy. Add a natural touch with a garland crafted of pinecones, or go for glamour with golden accents. Find more ideas and garland to fit your personal style at pier1.com.

Make your holiday merry and bright with a hint of starlight and sparkle. As you explore decorating ideas, remember to add a lighter touch with hanging ornaments, embroidered accents and candleholders.

After all, Christmas is the perfect time to let your inner light shine.

Decorating Room by Room Living room: Add a touch of frost to your room with inspiration from a wintery wonderland. Shining, snowy accents, along with plush pillows and a faux fur throw, create a warm, inviting space.

Mantel: Who says a fire always melts snow? While your hearth heats your home, keep your holiday accents crisp and cool, with plenty of snowflakes, trees and wreaths to go around.

Staircase: Think beyond the tree and loop garland and festive lighting, such as Glimmer Strings from Pier 1 Imports, around your banister.

Dining room: Craft your own centerpieces with a few essential ingredients. A pretty mixture of evergreens, woodland creatures and metallic pillar stands shines in the soft glow of candlelight.

Bedroom: Create a welcome retreat within your bedroom with an elegant headboard, bright bedding and seasonal accents – everything you need to settle down for a long winter’s nap.

Outdoors: Take your holiday party out to the patio. Lanterns filled with LED candles, soft pillows and garden stools offer all the festive features of indoor decor but with the durability for outdoors.

Stock Photo/Pier 1 Camera

Stock Photo/Pier 1 Camera

Dressing up the fireplace and mantel adds new life to a fireplace.

6 | Saturday, November 28, 2015 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | At Home

Style: Don’t be intimidated by ribbon

Style at Home/Tribune News Service

Gorgeous greens take your displays to the next level, and holiday ribbons give them character and charm.

Continued from 2C after display at the stores, she shows how long strips of wired fabric can take a space from meh to marvelous. “A lot of times, your wreath, your tree, your mantel or bannister is more about the ribbon than anything else,” she says. Just changing out the accent ribbons you use on your tree will give it new life, she shares.

Using ribbons can be intimidating if you don’t know where to start. Bev suggests first picking a mix of several ribbons for your displays, pulling together different weights, widths, colors and patterns. She often layers two ribbons, one on top of the other, with the widest or heaviest one in the back.

Work with manageable lengths of ribbon.

Bev suggests cutting the ribbon into lengths of about three yards each so you can work with it more easily. You can finish the ends in a straight cut or a traditional dart. Bev likes to then twist the ribbon

sections into loose, lazy loops. When she’s using ribbon on a Christmas tree, she gently pokes the sections of ribbon into the branches of the tree, starting top down, side to side. She never winds the ribbon strips all the way around the tree, but instead tucks them in, section by section, because she finds it’s easier to work with the ribbon that way and she likes the finished look better.

Make mock bows.

I could not tie a beautiful bow to save my life, and I’m guessing a lot of you are in the same predicament. So we use a cheater technique you might like to try, too. Just create loops with your ribbon until it forms a bow you like, then secure them in place at the bottom, using wire or a zip tie.

That’s it!

This column was adapted from Mary Carol Garrity’s blog at www.nellhills.com. She can be reached at marycarol@ nellhills.com.

At Home | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, November 28, 2015 | 7

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