Tuesday Tip: Holiday decorations for the modern home

Decorating for the holidays is one of those rare occasions I look forward to every year. Typically my restraint won't last past the day after Thanksgiving, when the decorfest begins. Sometimes shopping for holiday decorations can be overwhelming, strolling down aisles overstuffed with frilly wire-edged ribbons, scary Santas, and Victorian carol singer figurines. So, if you are wondering what would work with a more modern, sleek, or just toned-down interior, here are a few budget-friendly ideas.

Show off the flowers of the season- white poinsettias. Say goodbye to dusty fake flowers and hello to thriving, living plants indoors.

I have never been big on the traditional red poinsettias, but the white variety lend an understated elegance to a modern interior. I procured mine at a local home improvement store for $1. For a holiday party, buy a poinsettia for each entry stair step to create a dramatic entrance. Bonus: Their neutral color makes them perfect indoor plants all winter long!

Use what you already have. For a dramatic mantel scape, pull everyday items together in a cohesive arrangement.

Unfortunately mantel-less, I use my floating Ikea shelves as a stand-in. For festive sparkle I've pulled the silver (in dire need of a polish) out of the dining buffet and filled it with extra Christmas decorations that would otherwise sit in a box. You could use glass or antiqued brass bowls, or fill each bowl with seasonal fruits: pomegranates, oranges, clementines, and lemons would make a colorful and fragrant arrangement.

Don't be afraid to combine old and new. A mercury glass Christmas tree brings both patina and polish to your everyday accessories. Although the overall aesthetics of the tree aren't necessarily modern, its bold form and unique finish make it right at home.

I hope these ideas inspire you with ways to bring the holidays into your home!

The holidays cometh

Some people dread the coming of the holiday season, equating it with stress and ubiquitous poppy music. However, it is something I have always looked forward to. Perhaps it's because I have never had the stress of hosting a large Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, or because I generally take a low-key approach to gift buying.

Whatever the reason, this year is exceptionally fun as I am participating in my first-ever craft fair. I've decided to start small with a local event that features low-cost items for kids' holiday shopping. Admittedly it has been a great excuse to get the holidays off to an early start. With some classic Christmas chunes and hot chocolate, I am off and running with crafting for the event!

So far I have fashioned two main items. 1) a decidedly over-the-top glam starfish ornament- and 2) some festive holiday letter magnets. The starfish idea came to me when I had a bunch of leftover from my first run of etsy items. I also inadvertently tortured a starfish at Sea World when I was seven, so maybe this is my way of apologizing to the species. The letter magnets? Well, there is a box of leftover tile samples in my closet, and this seemed to be the perfect use for them. I love the font on the letters-- part 1940s Christmas Story-era, part modern.

What are you working on for upcoming holiday projects? What is your inspiration for holiday creating?

Furniture is for everyone...

Our very large Anatolian Shepherd, Roman, has taken to sitting on the sofa lately. Not like a normal dog would sit on a sofa, but like a human does. He does so quite coyly, sort of sidling up to the cushion and casually scooching as if to say, "I'm sitting on the sofa. It's no big deal."

Now, someday I might be more particular about a dog scooting onto my furniture. However, for the time being it's not hurting my $200 Ikea sofa with washable covers. And tell me, truly, could you get mad at this face?

My first etsy sale!

I am very excited to announce my first sale on Etsy! Woot!! It took a while, but it was worth the wait. The item was one of my signature pieces, which was also encouraging. Here is to many more!

A new start...

Well, one always wants more spare time, and it's funny how the universe delivers what we ask for. In the wake of the recent Wall Street insanity, many small interior design firms have been forced to dismiss their staff. And so, as a disenfranchised designer, I find myself with a fair amount of spare time. (Between all of the copious job searching, of course.)

I am now on week three of being unemployed, but have made good use of the time by tying up loose ends on many abandoned renovation projects. This was sparked by both an abundance of extra time, and an upcoming 30th birthday party for my boyfriend of six years, Ryan. As much as I enjoy tearing out and rebuilding staircases and installing closet doors it is nice to be done with all of that (for the time being).

And so, unluckily for you I have joined the already unsustainable ranks of bloggers. Don't get me wrong, my favorite tshirt slogan reads 'No one wants to read your lame blog' and I hate to put another one out there to be unread. I do however, need a place to keep up on my passion and skills for design, and figure I might as well take a few people along for the ride. I hope this blog's content will provide you with new ideas to try around your home or office, and at the least will be somewhat amusing.