(NC)—Decorating your home for the holidays is an age-old tradition. As another festive  season approaches, it may seem as if many décor ideas are a little tired, so this year, why not come up with a with a fresh take on some tried-and-true classics?  Sally Morse, director of creative services for window fashions company Hunter Douglas, offers the following tips on how to expand your concept of seasonal décor:

• Rustic Touches – Natural elements help set the stage for your décor, whatever its style, and make your home feel more warm and inviting. Try filling a vase with dry arrangements or a large bowl with pine cones for a festive and eye-catching centrepiece. Garlands are also great for an outdoor porch, for winding around bannisters or for draping along mantelpieces.

• Metallic Accents – There is no better season to go extreme with our love of metallic and shimmer than the holidays. There are limitless ways to introduce this decorative element into your home décor. For starters, take an ordinary wreath and give it some pizzazz by adding silver- and gold-painted pine cones or dress up your dining room table by placing low votives in a glass bowl and surrounding them with tinsel or Christmas tree balls.

• Table Trimmings – The dining room table is the focal point of holiday gatherings, so it’s important not to neglect your holiday table decorations. Find inspiration from nature by using evergreen clippings and wire to form tiny wreaths that can slip over pillar candles.

Also, consider using a holiday-coloured runner on your table for a different take on the traditional tablecloth. Or, dress up a simple place setting with a whitewashed pinecone. Picking a theme for your table décor is another way to create a festive setting. Ideas such as blue Christmas, winter wonderland or holiday minimalism are trusted favourites and offer lots of possibilities.

• Lighting – As the temperature drops and the daylight begins to recede, it’s a good time to start thinking about investing in new window fashions that will enhance your lighting, without relying on overhead artificial lighting. An instant improvement can be made with Hunter Douglas Silhouette window shadings, which feature soft fabric vanes suspended between sheer fabric facings that work to draw light deep into the room, thus maximizing daylighting efficiency. Nothing makes a room feel warmer and more inviting that a warm pool of natural light filtering in through the window dressings.

• Holiday Cards – Wondering what to do with all those holiday greeting cards? Consider buying a wide red ribbon and either pinning or stapling each of your holiday cards in a row down the length of the ribbon. Then, drape the ribbon over your living room or foyer door and finish by tying the leftover ribbon on the handle of the door on the other side.  Your friends will undoubtedly be touched and warmed when they see their card hanging on your door.

• More is More – Holiday cheer is meant to be spread around to all. Apply this concept to your holiday décor and sprinkle some of that cheer all over your home. From wintry centrepieces to bold, red accents to decorative candles, the options are limitless. So go overboard.

More information is available online at www.hunterdouglas.ca.

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