Christmas Column & Holiday Decor Inspiration

 
This year I decided to decorate my column for Christmas.  It sits in my foyer and I have always loved it.  It's incredibly special to me because my husband made it for me one Christmas.  I still have memories of him carrying it down the hall on Christmas morning with my then 4 and 5 year  old piggy tail girlie's.  They helped him paint it and sand it! 
 
 
He was so clever.  To embellish the column at the top he used drapery hardware and filled in the holes on the sides and it worked perfectly.
 
Our Christmas tree usually goes where the column is each year but I decided to mix it up this year.
 
I made this arrangement about 6 years ago and love the concrete urn it's in.  The antlers were added last year.  Hanging a little "Rejoice" to it has made it have a special touch of Christmas and it is a time to Rejoice!
 
  
 I created and embellished the garland as I went along and unpacked all my Christmas items. 
 
 
 Added this blue bird and some fun feathers that a client gave me.  The red ribbon is so gorgeous in person.
 
 Something sparkly and colorful always makes me happy and mixes it up a little.
 
 
My dining room chandelier was embellished with some garland and a crystal snowflake.
 
 
I have slowly added to my "large ornament" collection.  The blown glass ones are my favorite placed in my large green bowl that I keep out all year.  What I love about this centerpiece is that it doesn't have to be moved when we use the table because guests can still see each other. 
 
 
I find that when decorating for Christmas, it's always better to use LARGE scale items instead of a lot of little items.
 
 
I added this little holly wreath to the top of my armoire.  Hung it on my candelabra.  It seems happy there with the my collection of old stair banisters.
 
 My bust got put on top of my large candlestick this year.   He watches over me while I work in my office.  You can see a peek into it to the right. 
 
 
The tapestry that hangs in my entry is from the Paris Flea Market (they use to hang in a castle).  I bought 2 and one of them is getting made into a bench as we speak.  Will be a collection from my new One by One collection, coming soon!
 
 
I adorned his head with a holly wreath :)  He always wears my wooden necklaces and I think it makes him look really cool.
 
 
HO HO HO
 
 
 I bought a poinsettia and placed the stems in different vases around the house.  I got this idea from Lauren Liess at Pure Style Home  last year.  Filed it away in my "Christmas" file in my brain last year and pulled it out this year.
 
 
I added this garland to my wall sconces in my living room.  Layered different kind of garland to give it a nice fresh "real" look.  Again, a little sparkle and fruit  goes a long way.
 
 
Some more of my large ornaments on my mantel.
 
Decided not to do the traditional garland this year.  Wanted something with less fuss.  I'm trying to "simplify" this year so there isn't such a huge put away day! 
 
The garland on my wall sconces is plenty!
 
  
I did add a little greenery to my bookshelf .
 
 
My front door swag got some extra berries and pointsetta's this year. 
 
I also added this little elf boot to the bottom and it's adorable.
 
 
My entry planters got a large red bow and a red berry wreath.  I have one on each side of my entry so they really look great.  Especially when they are all lit up at night!  I put lights in the fur trees and around the wreaths.
 
 
My pansies are doing well this year even though it's been so warm!
 
 
My large glass vase is filled with driftwood I've collected from all over.  I placed berries on the candlesticks and hung a little pine cone and greenery on the lip of the vase.
 
These metal trees I found at an estate sale and stenciled them to make them look more sophisticated.  They are now on top of my refrigerator with the driftwood my husband found for me on one of our beach trips :)
 
 
Hope this post inspired you to mix it up this year.  I love making each year different and maybe you will do the same!
 
 
Visit my website DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Gallery!
Follow me on Pinterest and be inspired this Holiday Season!
 
 

Holiday Decorating Workshop - Date finalized

Mark the date!
Grab your girlfriends and come for a fun time!  I am passionate about the Holiday season and what this time of year brings into our homes and to our families.  I absolutely love to share this season with others.  I thought this workshop would be a fun way for woman to connect and have "girlfriend" time together."  We all need something to look forward to!
Great way to bring in the Fall season!
Ruthie

Budget ideas for your Christmas wrapping, bows and tags

Every year when it comes to wrapping my presents, I always try to find paper that isn't too Christmasy.  It seems that I always have tons left over.  My time is valuable and I like to stock up on my supplies and keep them throughout the year in my wrapping paper station (an old antique armoire that was given to us).  
Picture by google images
I thought I would give you some tips for your shopping this year and get you inspired to choose the right items to save you cash and time.
WRAPPING PAPER
When selecting my wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows and tags, I usually try to choose things that I can use all year round for any event that creeps up on me.



The above paper is actually wedding paper.  There is no reason why it couldn't be used for any occasion.  Tied with a red or gold bow would make it very festive for Christmas.
Purchase at Container Store
Red wood grain from Container Store
Red paper is a GREAT choice but this doesn't scream Christmas which allows you to use it all year.  Tie it with a black or gold bow and you are good to go for your holiday gifts under the tree.
Container Store
The wood grain paper is perfect for the man or co-worker in your life.
Leopard - Container Store
You can't go wrong with an animal print.  A gold metallic bow or red satin bow would make the person receiving this amazingly wrapped gift feel really special and excited.
Copper Tapestry - Container Store

This paper is so classy.  I Love the design because it is traditional yet has whimsical personality. 
 Quick Ruthie Tip: Any wrapping paper would make a beautiful place mat under a plate for your Christmas table.  Cut with decorative scissors around the edges and you have a really sophisticated table setting in no time and for little expense.  It can be used as a table runner too.
Herringbone - Container Store
I think this Herringbone paper is my favorite this year. Tie your package with a red bow and you instantly have a WOW present.  For the rest of the year you could tie a white, cream, pink, lime green, turquoise or any other color satin or wired ribbon bow around this package and it would be so striking.
Bohemian - Container Store
My oldest daughter will go nuts for this paper.  Tied with a lime green tulle bow and a fun sparkly copper or gold tag and your teenage girls will be thinking you are so cool.  Her friends will love it too.
The paper can be used for birthday parties all year long.
You might be the person that can't stand to be generic and want your wrapping to be totally personalized.  Well you got it.  Go to Giftskins.com and go crazy designing your paper for your family!!!
Quick Ruthie Tip:  You could design your own paper and decoupage it on your walls as a wallpaper treatment.    They don't just have Christmas paper that you can design.  Imagine how fun it would be to put pictures of your vacations at the end of a hallway wall or even on a side table or coffee table. 
Can you believe this is wrapping paper?
TAGS
Who wouldn't love these vintage tags hanging off their presents?  So adorable! 
Anything sparkly added to a gift is so much fun.
Etsy
I've got to have these vintage tags, they won me over!  The red satin ribbon makes them stunning.
Simple brown bags are perfect for generic wrapping.  I keep a these in every size on hand at all times.  You can enhance them with fun tissue paper, beautiful bows or you can even STAMP THEM (see below)
This stamp would be perfect on any brown gift  bag.  You can use a silver or gold metallic paint on the stamp and it looks very classy.  Black would show up nicely too.
Any craft store has these Metallic Acrylic paints in a variety of colors.
How about having your own family stamp made?   It could even be your family crest. 
This stamp is for a Birthdays, Showers or Weddings
  
This bag could have some red paper added or even a leopard print paper and you would be good to go.  Add a touch of Christmas by adding one of the red sparkly tags above that I mentioned and now you are set.
Pink ribbon tied to a chocolate brown bag is always true perfection.
Quick Ruthie Tip:  Glue gun grosgrain ribbon to the top and bottom of the bag on each side and you have something custom made immediately.
Amazon.com
Wouldn't these  leather embossed bags be amazing with some silver or copper metallic tissue paper added.  No reason why you can't make something look like it is suppose to be for the holiday season.  Love these bags for hostess gifts.
BOWS
You can't go wrong with a satin ribbon. It always looks so crisp on a package.  I like to choose a two sided ribbon so you have more choices when you are wrapping.  It also looks nice to see two colors on the gift.
Tulle is another one of my favorite ways to wrap a gift.  Wrap around the present a few times and tie a nice bow and it looks like a million bucks was spent.  Be bold and use multiple colors!
If you are doing a lot of wrapping then a ribbon that has wire in it is ALWAYS makes it easy.  I especially like it because if the kids are helping me wrap, you cannot mess a bow up.  Perfect for those that don't feel crafty.
Bend it to the right position you want and it always turns out GREAT.  

HOPE SOME OF THESE IDEAS AND TIPS HELPED YOU WITH YOUR GIFT WRAPPING SELECTIONS THIS YEAR.
Last year I used a black and white swirl paper and I have used it all year for gifts with a variety of ribbons and bows.
We are all watching our budgets and I hope you save some time and money this year with these holiday tips.
Ruthie
Go to my website to see additional pictures that will inspire you with your decorating!
Book your consultation today.

Business lobby all decked out

Here's a peek at the Christmas decorating I did today in a business lobby.
They have a wonderful color scheme.  Ice blue, silver and white.  I coordinated all the decorations with their large artwork that hangs in their reception area.
End of the stairway.
Waved artwork panels behind the reception area.

Lots of sparkle and breakables! 
My favorite ornaments.  I love the weathered metallic look.
These picture don't do it justice, the 20 foot tree really is grand!
Fa la la la la la la la la
I'm in the Christmas Spirit after today!
Ruthie
For lots of before and after pictures of my work, visit DecRenew Interiors.