Story by Kate Duckworth
Photos by Grant Duckworth Photography
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Christmas music playing, twinkle lights shining, and Amazon packages arriving! The Holidays bring me a lot of joy, and I love nothing more than to deck the halls. Some of us tend to decorate our homes the same way each year. You think, “This garland goes on the staircase…this wreath goes on the front door.” Why not mix it up this year and use what you have in a completely different way?!?
Let’s start with books. Everyone has books laying around: either an old set of encyclopedias or some books with the dust jackets removed. Pick some that have a red, green, white or burgundy spine, whichever coordinates best with your holiday decor. Use them as a festive base for layering found objects. Or add them to blank spaces on a bookcase. They subtly add a touch of Christmas.
Filling a vessel in an unexpected way is another great way to add cheer. Here, we’ve used jars, vases and bowls. Think outside of the box: any vessel with a cool shape or silhouette can work for this. Fill them with colorful ornaments, holiday greenery or even whimsical garlands, anything that is the right scale for the object. These can be placed on top of a stack of books or positioned on a side table. Try laying some on their side with some of the filler “spilling out.”
Do you have a collection of Christmas objects that you always display in a group? Some people collect Santa Clauses or snow men or Christmas villages. Why not break up your collection, and arrange it in different vignettes? Configure them together in clusters of three with varying heights, colors or textures.
This Christmas, don’t get stuck in a rut with your usual Holiday decorating.
Use the things you already have around the house and spice them up in a new, fresh way.
Or disassemble your collections and display them in new locations.
I hope this helps you think outside of the box and brings new life to your Christmas decor.