The holiday season is here, and for many, that means it’s time to start decking the halls. Here are seven festive tips, all from design professionals affiliated with Carmel’s Indiana Design Center, to help make your space merry — and the most stylish on the block.
SALLIE J. LORD, FOUNDER & PRINCIPAL DESIGNER OF GREYHUNT INTERIORS
GREYHUNTINTERIORS.COM, @GREYHUNTINTERIORS
“Embrace holiday greens! We recommend bringing natural elements like pine and cedar to the holiday table to freshen up the space with ornaments, fresh or dried flowers, or fruit. They make for the most beautiful centerpieces. Just make sure to lay a runner down first to protect your table!”
NICOLE ZAREMSKI, MERCHANDISER AT HOLDER MATTRESS CO., INC.
HOLDERMATTRESS.COM, @HOLDERMATTRESS
“We love using soft decorations, such as pillows and throws, to add warmth and texture for the holidays. A one-of-a-kind throw pillow can be like artwork, giving the space character and a ‘home for the holidays’ feeling.”
KARA KAVENSKY, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER OF ADAM GIBSON DESIGN
ADAMGIBSONDESIGN.COM, @ADAMGIBSONDESIGN
“Lighting candles is a holiday tradition for many, but there are important caveats that not everyone realizes. Check the ingredients! Most candles are paraffin-based, which is a petroleum byproduct and may contain formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, acetone, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can disrupt hormones and add carcinogens and neurotoxins to your indoor air.
“Instead, consider soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, 100% vegetable wax, or a blend of them with essential oils. Wick types should be cotton, wood, or paper and be smokeless and sootless. Let’s start the holiday season in good health!”
JULIE O’BRIEN, PRINCIPAL DESIGNER AND PARTNER OF JULIE O’BRIEN DESIGN GROUP
JULIEOBRIENDESIGN.COM, @JULIEOBRIENDESIGNGROUP
“One of the best ways to create a magical quality to Christmas decorations is to be sparing with them. Less is often more. They become powerful in their simplicity when so many decorations are not competing for center stage. Quiet beauty makes them both more artistic and easier to live with for the many days of the holidays.”
MARYELLEN HODAPP (LEFT, WITH CHRISTY SOLDATIS), INTERIOR DESIGNER AND PRINCIPAL OF SASSY GREEN INTERIORS LLC
SASSYGREENINTERIORS.COM, @SASSYGREENINTERIORS
“Use natural elements from outside to make a Christmas centerpiece. To make this centerpiece, I took clippings from evergreens, dried hydrangea blooms in my yard, pinecones I collected,
and store-bought artichokes and red roses. The container is a copper planter meant for the outdoors. Keep the centerpiece fresh by storing it outside and keep it moist with a spray bottle of water when not in use.”
ERIKA REIMER, SENIOR DESIGNER AT DRAPERY STREET
DRAPERYSTREET.COM, @DRAPERYSTREET
“Frame your views — with Drapery Street. This holiday season we love cozy, textured fabrics that provide the perfect backdrop to the various holidays our clients celebrate. Our custom layered shades and draperies look fabulous paired with a Christmas tree in your primary bedroom, and we love how our draperies frame the wreaths on the doors of our client Shawn Johnson East’s home.”
MARY KAY KIEFER, RID, OWNER AND PRINCIPAL DESIGNER OF KIEFER DESIGN GROUP INC.
KIEFERDESIGNGROUP.COM
“Dazzle your holidays with glitter and grandeur. Create ambiance. Decide the style or theme for your home, and maybe change the theme every other year.
“Dress up your home with a style or theme using the following suggestions:
- Vintage – Roaring ‘20s
- Farmhouse – Rustic and homespun
- Minimalist – Bring nature in with simplicity and add glowing lights to your tree
- Classical – Traditional or formal using burnished silver and champagne glass ornaments with accents of velvets and faux fur. Try using a tree skirt or tree collar to hide wires and legs.
“My choice is blending classical and formal styles in my entry and living room. My family room is loaded with bright reds, blues, and trendy accents of pink. I use a lot of black-and-white checked ribbons and plaids. One of my collections is colorful fairies, and they are dancing throughout my Christmas tree. Have lots of fun and laughter while creating your dream holiday look. May this Christmas bring our world closer to a spirit of caring and closer to the blessing of peace. Happy holidays!”
Stephanie Groves is an Indy Maven board member and contributor who is about to lug her boxes of holiday decorations out from the basement.
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