Seven Quick Tips for Interior Holiday Decor

Did you spend the Thanksgiving weekend getting the Christmas decorations out of storage? Feeling a little uninspired by what you found there? Year after year, making the hodgepodge in the tubs look great becomes a challenge for many folks. A little advice from an interior designer is just what you need. Today we share some tips for making your eclectic collection of holiday decor stretch a little farther.

1. Stick with a single theme and style for your holiday decorating. Shopping for decor becomes easier and it makes your space feel professionally finished.

2. Strategically placing scented candles, near your entry and throughout the home, adds a level of authenticity to your holiday. Or, better yet, bake some holiday cookies shortly before guests arrive. Anything with cinnamon or cloves will do the trick. Homemade gingerbread works beautifully too. Bonus, candlelight is warm and inviting.

3. Choose two to three colors for your holiday palette and keep it consistent. More than one color palette can make your decor appear disjointed and busy.

4. Get creative with your space for this special time of year. Rearrange your furniture so the focal point is the fireplace or wherever you hang stockings. If you don’t have a fireplace, arrange the furniture to create the best layout for cozy conversations.

5. Become a collector. Choose something you can grow through the years and that can be passed on to the next generation.

6. Bring the holiday celebration into every room. Kitchens and bathrooms are a great place to put scented candles and smaller seasonal knickknacks.

7. The holiday season is definitely one time where “less is more” does NOT apply. Have fun and do it up big.

Christopher Guy - A Cut Above the Rest

Christopher Guy Harrison

"In every culture, decorative heirlooms define a nation in much the same way as its music, poets and writers do..." says Christopher Guy Harrison, British luxury furniture designer, who founded and heads up the Christopher Guy brand of furniture. Raised in France and Spain, Christopher draws on his international exposure to come up with his award winning designs. As he says, "Elegance, sophistication, and grace have always transcended cultural boundaries; the objective has been to transfer this into distinct, decorative furnishings." If you have ever seen a Christopher Guy piece you'll know exactly why we choose this special brand to decorate with here at J. Douglas Design.

If it’s opulence, drama and unmatched quality of design that you are looking for the Christopher Guy range of furniture is humbly awe inspiring. Each piece has its own magic, projecting its own inner confidence, reflecting the skill and passion of the designer himself.

His furniture has been desired the world over and his work can be found in hotels such as The Savoy, The Hilton and Claridges. The designs have a sculptural and simplistic beauty to them with flowing lines and curves, encompassing you into a design lover’s dream! This is reflected in his Chris-X leg design, shown left, which was inspired by the corseted waist line of Scarlett O'hara in Gone with the Wind. What a stylish, statement making piece for any home!

Christopher's designs have been a part of nearly ten feature films including the Bond movie Casino Royale. Luxury hotels clamor to include his brand in their designs. You'll see his work at The Savoy in London, The Bellegio in Vegas and The Trump Plaza in New York, among others.

Want to see or know more about this spectacular brand? Just make a visit to our showroom.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.

Enjoying Your Outdoor Living Space During the Winter

You put some serious time and effort into creating a perfect living space to relax in during the spring and summer, and while you may not get many to go outdoors as the temperatures drop, there are still ways you can enjoy your outdoor living quarters in cold weather. Here are some simple design tips to get the most out of your cozy outdoor spaces.

1. Heat it up. Heating is essential if you plan to enjoy time outdoors this winter season. Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can warm yourself up. Fire pits are one option and are beneficial year round. Not only can fire pits provide you with the warmth you need, but they are also a good focal point for your space. Another option would be to have an electric patio heater. These don’t take up a lot of space, and while you may not necessarily take off your coat and lounge in a t-shirt, it can provide you with a way to comfortably transition from the indoors to the outdoors without freezing.

2. Close it in. While this may not add ample amounts of heat, it will block out that extra chill you get from wind, not to mention it will protect your living space from potential snow and ice! Not only will this give you a nice wintery view, the natural light can kick up your mood as well.

3. Brighten it up. If you're space is decorated with darker colors, consider adding in some lighter colors to brighten up your space. Have you chosen a deep, dark purple as your theme? Add in some lilac or silver – this will create a beautiful mixture, and can still provide you with an inviting holiday feel. While you probably have already added lights to the front of your house, don’t forget your backyard, where your outdoor living space is most likely located. You can install light fixtures in your deck that can be used year round, or you can also string lights across your patio railing, creating a peaceful, serene environment.

We hope you'll find that incorporating ideas like these will help you enjoy your beautiful outdoor living space through the cold season too!