Christmas Ideas-September 2020

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contents CHRISTMAS IDEAS 2020
12 MERRY CRIMSON
Black for Christmas? Oh yes! A rich color
scheme anchored in black and crimson
makes for stunning holiday decor in this
Virginia home.
24 FRONT & CENTER

Upgrade your door game with a fresh,
38 creative take on wreaths—not a single

one has a traditional evergreen base.
30 CULTIVATING STYLE
Building gorgeous garlands and
inspired vignettes is this homeowner’s
superpower. See her handiwork and learn
her tricks.
38 HOLIDAY BLOSSOMS
Believe it or not, you can find all the
ingredients for these showstopping
flower arrangements at the grocery
store. Really.
46 TRENDS
These four distinct color and pattern
combinations are sure to inspire your
Christmas decorating this season.
52 HAPPINESS IS HANDMADE
In Idaho, Emily Barlow turns her artistic
talents to baking and creating a season
30 52 filled with magic for her three children.
CHRISTMAS IDEAS 2020 1

contents
CHRISTMAS IDEAS 2020
58 NATURAL SURROUNDINGS
Decor inspired by the great outdoors
fills this DIY-loving blogger’s home at
the holidays.
66 CUSTOM-MADE &
CHRISTMAS READY
Stamp, stencil, and brush your own
gift wrap to create a unique, personal,
coordinated look under the tree.
74 BEYOND BASIC
A year-round palette of black-and-white
patterns creates a fresh, fun foundation
88
for a festive Christmas home.
82 MOOD SETTING
Don’t let your holiday table feel staid.
Create a delicious combination with
something old and something new.
88 ALL IS SHINY & BRIGHT

Vintage collectibles and punches of
red transform this New Jersey Colonial
into a joyful Christmas scene.
plus
FROM THE EDITORS 4
DECORATING 6
RESOURCES 96
66 74
2 CHRISTMAS IDEAS 2020

FROM THE EDITORS
Editor’s Tip
J
ust because this year’s holidays may look
different, the Christmas season doesn’t have DISPLAY COLORFUL
CANDIES IN
to feel different. Now it seems even more SHAPELY GLASS
important to deck the halls, wrap everything JARS FOR A
in cheer, and create Christmas magic for ourselves and STUNNING (BUT
OH-SO-EASY)
the family members who share our homes. CENTERPIECE.
We hope you’ll find inspiration in these pages for
creating your own magical at-home holiday wonderland.
Take a peek at up-and-coming color trends (page 46) and
our featured homes for a variety of palettes, themes, and
designs—from mostly white (page 30) and brights (page
88) to black-and-white patterns (page 74) and pulled-
from-nature decor (page 58). We also offer aha ideas for
crafting wreaths (page 24), floral arrangements (page
38), custom gift wrap (page 66), and table settings (page
82). You may even be inspired to stretch your baking
skills when you read about Emily Barlow’s impressive
Christmas holiday baking traditions (page 52) and the
way she captures her children’s imaginations with
vignettes like the dining table centerpiece shown here.
We hope that this year, you and yours are able to
find wonderful ways to celebrate the season and, along
the way, create new traditions that become future family
Christmas favorites.

christmas
IDEAS MEREDITH PREMIUM PUBLISHING
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DECORATING
TRIM theTREES BIG OR SMALL. FRESH OR FAUX. RED AND GREEN OR PINK AND
SILVER. OUR RESIDENT DECORATING WIZARD, LINDSEY ELLIS
BEATTY, DREAMED UP THREE DAZZLING LOOKS THAT WILL
ADORN YOUR HOME WITH JOY.
A candy shop color scheme creates a contemporary take on a sweet, classic

Christmas look. Gather ornaments with a vintage feel, such as detailed Santas,
sparkling putz houses, and oversize glass orbs. Counter the shiny elements with
matte finishes and stick to solid wrapping papers except for one standout pattern
(like polka dots). Candy canes—real or faux—are a fitting finale on the tree and gifts.

MODERN
SENTIMENTS
Traditional holiday
symbols get a glossy
makeover with simple
shapes and loads of bright
red and white.
BASE A medium-size woven
basket provides a tidier footing
than a tree skirt.
ORNAMENTS Dress branches
with large red Gobstopper-like
globes mixed with favorite
holiday images. For an extra-
sweet touch, suspend candy
canes from the frosted boughs.
GARLAND First hang the
strands of lights, and then
dangle a garland made from felt
balls along the branches.
TOPPER Try a homespun take
on stars with a large matte
wood version.

DECORATING
A tree decorated with pieces inspired by Mother Nature’s

beauty is a fitting tribute. With a palette of light to
medium browns, blues, and whites, this tree mixes in
shine on glittered feathers and leaf shapes with rough-
hewn textures in natural-fiber ribbon.

WILD &
WONDERFUL
Twirl up a tree fit for any
mountain cabin with a
menagerie of woodland-
inspired pieces.
BASE Choose a small- or
medium-size galvanized bucket
as your vessel.
ORNAMENTS Think of the
pheasants as the headliners and
add a supporting cast of woodsy
oak leaf, acorn, and feather
pieces all around. Fill empty
spots with shiny blue globes.
GARLAND Stick with simple
string lights. The shimmery
ornaments will accentuate the
glow from the bulbs.
TOPPER Create a unique crown
of pinecones. Spray-paint three
to five of them gold, then secure
each one to a flexible wire stem
with pieces of florists wire.
Finally, twist the florists wire
around at the top of the tree
until it’s secure.

DECORATING
Think pink to give your holiday a cool midcentury vibe. In the 1950s,
Shiny Brite ornaments were the signature adornment for a tinsel tree.
Today, the collectible Christmas essentials—and their look-alikes—
make for festive holiday decor steeped in a pastel palette. Dress a
flocked tree in the vibrant hues and range of shapes and patterns
these throwback decorations are known for.

VINTAGE
CHARM
Nostalgia reigns in the
pretty teal and pink hues of
these retro ornaments.
TREE At only 4 feet tall, this
tree (set in a sturdy planter) is
just the right size for a table in
a foyer.
ORNAMENTS Here’s proof that
a small suite of pink, gold, and
aqua ornaments is all you need
to trim a tabletop tree.
GARLAND Skip the lights
and adorn branches with a
distinctive white foam
garland that resembles a
strand of pearls.
TOPPER Finish the look with a
giant bow, nearly a foot tall, that
trails the length of the tree. Tip:
Wired ribbon is the secret to a
pert bow.

MERRY
Crimson Louisa and Frank Craven attribute their love for the
holidays to their European connections, including
teenage years in West Germany on a U.S. Army base
and later as a married Air Force couple. Today the
dinnerware, nutcrackers, and more from their years
overseas all are part of celebrations in the couple’s
warm and welcoming Fredericksburg, Virginia, home.
Photographed by JAY WILDE Written by BEVERLY RIVERS
COLLECTING
CHRISTMAS
The tallest family tree graces
a corner of the dining room.
This 9-footer brims with stems
of cranberries, red amaryllis
blossoms, cranberry ball
ornaments, wood snowflakes,
and dozens of oversize red
baubles. Adorned with new
black velvet ribbons, extra
berries, pinecones, and
eucalyptus, the wreaths in
the windows look new—not
10 years old.

TASTE OF ELEGANCE
Sugared cranberries are a
favorite Christmas snacking
staple around the Craven
house. They’re also the ideal
embellishment for a beautiful
spice cake, left. The white
snowball mounds on the
festive buffet are made
from Louisa’s mom’s Italian
wedding cookie recipe.
“I break out the

boxes of red
decorations and
divvy them up.
While they are
the same from
holidays past,
they get allotted to
different locations
based on my
annual whims.”
—LOUISA CRAVEN, HOMEOWNER
ARTFUL DESIGN
When Louisa sets the table, opposite, she mixes a
variety of elements—from crystal goblets her mom
collected for her to red mercury glass trees she
buys whenever she finds one. This year, touches of
black include a large charcoal plate, gray linens, black
flatware, and black candles set in thrift shop brass.
MEET LOUISA
A prolific Instagrammer (@louisa_craven), Louisa,
right, admits to having 10 decorated trees as well
as a dozen others scattered throughout the house.
Most notable are the three red trees in the main
living space. See page 22 for a detailed look at the
similarities and differences in the trio.
“My elegant black gift wrap is
actually from a huge roll of kraft
paper I purchased on Amazon.”
—LOUISA CRAVEN

PLAYING UP THE PLAID EMBRACING CHANGE
Although the Cravens possess a small collection of Purchased 30 years ago at a market in Belgium
store-bought plaid ornaments, there weren’t nearly because of its “good bones,” the hutch Louisa
enough to pack the tree with tartan like Louisa sanded and painted is the perfect showcase for her
envisioned, opposite. To fill the branches, Louisa mom’s red German holiday dishes, above. Other
wrapped little jewelry boxes and made ribbon treasures displayed around and atop the hutch
rosettes from three different plaids—all accented remind Louisa of her years in Europe.
with wide plaid and black velvet ribbons. Frank built
the large box stand from leftover lumber and painted it
with chalkboard paint.

DESIGNER SECRET
In a style Louisa calls “organic modern meets
farmhouse industrial,” the emphasis is on layers of
texture. Her neutral palette boasts shades of white,
gray, brown, and black. Louisa’s annual splurge is for
the elegant ribbons she chooses each holiday season.
This year, it’s all about exquisite Swiss-made black
velvets she found on Etsy. Although she admits to
carefully considering every scissor cut, Louisa uses the
ribbon liberally on the trees, packages, and wreaths.

DREAMY WHITE
In the handsome matte-black painted office space, “The secret to flocking
opposite, Louisa wanted trees that were simple in
decoration but visually dynamic. She ordered trees
greenery is in a product
from the same manufacturer, only to realize they
had varying degrees of snow on the branches.
I order online. I spray
Using flocking flakes, she added heavier coverage the trees or garlands
where needed.
with water then use a
PEACEFUL WORK SPACE
When the holiday approaches, many books and flour sifter to shake on
planters on the contemporary shelves, above, make
way for stars, trees, and words in festive forms.
SnoFlock flakes.”
Packages here are wrapped in simple brown kraft —LOUISA CRAVEN
paper. The suede ornaments speak to Louisa’s keen
ability to spot trends.

AA
A
TRIO OF
TREES
IN HER OPEN-CONCEPT LIVING
SPACE, LOUISA CRAVEN WANTS
HER TREES TO COMPLEMENT ONE
ANOTHER WHILE EACH EXHIBITING
ITS OWN UNIQUE PERSONALITY.
HERE’S HOW SHE DOES IT.
1 DINING ROOM TREE I (page 13)

Louisa packed these branches with large and small
faux-cranberry stems. Some already had snow or
glitter on them, and she used a can of artificial spray
snow to embellish others. The red flower of choice
for this tree is the large, luxurious amaryllis.
Louisa layered ribbons—wide black velvet and
narrow gray linen edged with black satin—for the
cascading garlands. Red ornaments—textured,
satin, shiny, and glittered—hang alongside natural
grapevine orbs, natural-finish laser-cut wood
snowflakes, and clear balls with artificial snow
and tiny red twigs inside. She tucked tree twigs and
branches into the tree, frosting some with white
spray snow.

2 DINING ROOM TREE II (page 16)
On this tree, plaids reign supreme. While the
Cravens already had a small number of purchased
3 FAMILY ROOM TREE (page 18)
Only the family room tree holds clip-on candle tree
lights. Unable to find them in black, Louisa brushed
plaid balls on hand, Louisa wanted more than she a coat of black paint on last year’s red ones. Almost
could find in stores or online. With plaid paper and all of the ornaments on this tree are glass. The
ribbon in her stash, she wrapped little boxes and largest are etched red mercury glass that Louisa
tied them with black velvet ribbons. Using wide found at an after-Christmas clearance sale.
plaid ribbon, she made large rosettes. Louisa used more than 75 faux flower stems to
Following her floral theme, Louisa tucked in add velvety texture to this tree. A large vintage
stems with large blooms and buds. A lush cluster French champagne crate found at an antiques shop
of berries and eucalyptus tops the tree, and extra serves as the container for the tree.
stems fill in little openings.
For Resources, see page 96.

FRONT
&
Center
FRESH COLORS, UNIQUE MATERIALS, AND CLASSIC
SPARKLE TURN TRADITIONAL DOOR DECOR INTO
THE NEW FACE OF YOUR SEASONAL STYLE.
Projects by KIM HUTCHISON Photographed by ADAM ALBRIGHT
Written by MOLLY REID SINNETT
SEASON IN BLOOM
Delicate as they are, the poinsettia flowers on this wreath will not expire
with the holiday season. Kept out of the elements, these paper blooms can
make an appearance year after year. Download, print, and cut patterns for
blossoms and leaves at BHG.com/HolidayWreaths. Accordion-fold the paper
to form a single section of a flower. Then hot-glue sections together for the
overall bloom. Repeat to create as many flowers—in as many colors—as
suits your design. Small clusters of double-sided crepe paper leaves and
red-painted wood beads transform into graceful branches when hot-glued to
stem wire and wrapped with florists tape. Secure finished flowers and stems
to a white willow wreath with hot glue.
TIGHT-KNIT CHEER
Celebrate your love of knitting by dressing your front door with a wreath
adorned in yarn. It’s as easy as lighting a fire, turning on It’s a Wonderful
Life, and settling in to make myriad yarn orbs. Gather festive-color
leftover yarn from your collection or buy new chunky yarn in an array of
holiday hues. Small balls of fiberfill at the centers create the soft, round
shape. Make 50 to 100 yarn balls depending on your wreath size. After
covering a straw wreath form with coordinating felt, secure each ball
with hot glue, making sure to snuggle them together for a cozy feel.

COPPER TOPPED
Perfectly suited for a modern aesthetic, this wreath has all the sparkle and
none of the stuffiness. To start, paint a grapevine wreath a copper color.
Then paint 20 to 24 papier-mâché balls (available at consumercrafts.com) a
variety of aqua hues. While the ornaments dry, cut leaf shapes from metallic
cardstock. Visit BHG.com/HolidayWreaths for the leaf shape template.
Get the unique veining pattern on the leaves by folding the pieces in half
vertically, then accordion-folding each one on the diagonal. An uneven
application of copper leaf to the painted balls gives the ornaments their final
flair. Using a hot-glue gun, secure ornaments and tuck in the leaves.

QUICK TIP
These wreaths will
last for years if you
hang them where
snow and rain won’t
ruin their holiday
merriment.
PRETTY IN PAPER
When decorating is as easy as wrapping a gift, there’s no reason not
to deck the halls. Made of approximately 50 small party favor boxes
found at crafts and party stores, this wreath takes little crafting prowess.
Using leftover wrapping paper and coordinating scrapbook paper, wrap
each tiny box, securing the edges with hot glue—it’s much faster and
neater than tape. The addition of festive gold cording immediately turns
each box into a delicate gift, unifying the wreath’s style. Layer the
boxes onto a felt-wrapped wire frame with hot glue. Add a second layer
to cover gaps and give the wreath dramatic dimension.
HOLLY HACKED
This holly-inspired wreath uses felt in three shades of green for leaves
plus tiny wool felt pom-poms for berries. Start with a floral hoop. Gather
approximately 20 sheets of felt and cut into 1-inch strips. Use pinking shears
and our pattern at BHG.com/HolidayWreaths to cut look-alike holly leaves.
Alternating colors, attach each leaf with florists wire. Once the hoop is full,
adorn the wreath with the creamy berries using the same technique. Twist
and pull the leaves to create dimension. Fashion a bow with pieces of red felt
(the bow and tails); hot-glue a small piece to gather the bow's center.

MIDAS TOUCH
Give a faux pine wreath a custom upgrade by adding greenery and a coat
of festive gold paint. The generous layer of paint will begin the wreath’s
transformation. Coat an additional assortment of faux natural elements—
such as magnolia leaves, pinecones, and berries—with the same gold hue.
Mercury glass ornaments and other gold embellishments add just the right
amount of shimmer. Wire in each additional decoration, beginning with
magnolia leaves around the wreath’s outer edge. If gold isn’t your holiday
color of choice, choose any metallic hue that suits you.

CULTIVATING
Style
COMBINING SHINY,
SPARKLY, AND NOSTALGIC
ELEMENTS INTO
ROBUST GARLANDS AND
ARRANGEMENTS, THIS
CREATIVE HOMEOWNER
SETS AN ELEGANT SCENE
AGAINST THE SNOW-
WHITE BACKDROP OF
HER HISTORICAL HOME.
Photographed by ADAM ALBRIGHT
Written by SARAH EGGE

VINTAGE VIRTUES CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Once she settles on a theme, such as this year’s white and gold, “When I find something I like, I buy 20 or 30 of the same thing
opposite, Tammy Damore gathers items in a variety of textures: so I can spread them from the staircase to the mantel and
Silky roses contrast with glossy clear icicles, shiny stars, bristly throughout,” Tammy says. “I like a cohesive, cultivated look.
flocked greens, chunky knits, and soft faux fur. “More than That’s my mindset.” Antique-white cabbage roses appear on the
anything, I love to reuse and repurpose things I already have living room mantel garland, above, as well as the entry stairway,
and mix vintage finds with modern accents,” Tammy says. Some and clear icicle lights dangle here and atop the dining room
of her accessories are truly vintage, such as the Shiny Brite armoire. Cozy trimmings like pom-poms and faux fur repeat on
ornaments she buys at flea markets. Others are made to look pillows and throws in every room. Although she keeps a large
that way, like her mercury glass ornaments and bottlebrush collection to pull from, she also culls things that have gotten
trees. “I ask myself not only, ‘Will it work 10 years from now?’ tired or simply don’t fit the look she’s trying to accomplish this
but, more important, ‘Would it have worked 10 years ago?’ and year. “Every year I get rid of something that’s worn,” she says. “I
I spend my money on those things,” she says. pass it on and make room to bring in something new.”

A
ll year round, my words are ‘magical’
and ‘dreamy’,” says Tammy Damore. “At
Christmas, it’s taken up a notch.” Followers
of her blog and Instagram account, The
Cultivated Home, know this all too well. They see her pick
a theme; generate ideas; shop for specific florals, linens,
and accessories; and bring it all together in late October. “I
carry around a paper planner all year long with notes about
where I’ll put the tree this year, what colors I’ll use, where
I’ll add garlands,” she says.
In June, she reevaluates and tweaks her plans for the
next year. Her motivation is not making the house pretty
for photos—though her photos are beautiful—but making
the house feel special when her children, grandchildren,
and friends gather. In her childhood home, “Christmas
was a big deal. A really big deal,” she says. She would perch
on a stool next to her father as he created the landscape
and communities around a gigantic train set in their
basement. At Christmas, they moved the train set upstairs
to surround the tree in the living room. That sense of
delight in creating a three-dimensional holiday wonderland
remains with her.
In a way, Tammy is still setting up those ideal worlds in
her 3,300-square-foot Victorian farmhouse-style home in
Pottsville, Pennsylvania. She photographs her vignettes,
sharing ideas and offering instruction. However, her
approach is to inspire and chaperone, not lead directly to a
replica: “I try not to say, ‘Do the same floral arrangement
or have the same curtains.’ I want to encourage others to
do the arrangement by themselves,” Tammy says. “If you
have that creative brain, you can do anything you want.” 0
IN FOCUS
The carved designs on this antique secretary,
above, provide interesting relief for the curios
inside. Conical glass evergreen trees fill a concrete
bowl, and a pair of partridges perch on the shelf
above. The backdrop is the perfect display for
a simple wreath of flocked faux evergreens and
lights adorned with a bow made from the same
ribbon as the stairway garland.
SCENE SETTING
Natural elements and vintage items that recall
fond memories are the undercurrents throughout
Tammy’s decorating. A large glass cloche, left,
encapsulates a snowy town scene not unlike the
one with the train set she used to help her father
build. A faux fir tree is flocked like those from
her childhood. But rather than create a museum
of nostalgic artifacts, Tammy blends in lots of
modern, of-the-moment elements to keep things
fresh. The pom-pom basket is a nod to trendy
Scandinavian style, and the wintry landscape
painting wears a contemporary garland of
metal angels.

CLASSICS LESSON
Tammy grew up with flocked
evergreen trees at Christmas so that’s
what she chose for her 9-foot tree,
which barely fits under the living room
ceiling. “It’s so tall, I have to put the
topper in front of the top branch
instead of on top of it,” she says with
a laugh. She fills it with 1,200 lights,
wrapping the tree twice. “I want the
inner part to twinkle, so I really shove
the first layer in all the way to the
trunk,” she says.
NATURAL IDEA HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENTS
Several years ago, Tammy changed the dining room wall color, The elements Tammy compiles into her striking vignettes,
opposite, from red to Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and above, change and evolve year to year. “My design, my style, is
then kept going. “All 13 rooms are now white,” she says. “It’s in perpetual motion,” she says. She might decide to feature a
the perfect backdrop.” The serene palette also ties together favorite object from one of her flea market forays or try out a
all her Christmas decor. She prefers to rely on texture rather new theme, such as this rustic-refined look. The elegant gold
than color for interest, melding shiny metallics with furry laurel and brass lamps seem incongruent with the weathered
throws and spiky bottlebrush trees. Trees of all types, as well urn and antler, but Tammy brings them all together by sticking
as the branches, boughs, flowers, and leaves she includes to one palette of creams and golds and including plenty of
in her arrangements of faux greenery, are the backbone of neutral items, such as the glass bottle, cloche, and vintage
her nature-inspired decorating. With a few edits, it segues mirrors. A strand of floral garland and the small pine tree add
seamlessly into a winter landscape for January and February. holiday flavor.

THE KEYS
TO GREAT
GARLANDS
Tammy Damore has been
crafting faux garlands for
decades. She shares her tried-
and-true process.
1
CHOOSE A BASE
Tammy says she likes a “fluffy”
look and typically works with
faux flocked spruce segments that have
short-needled branches for a thick base.
2
SECURE IT
Attach each segment of stair garland
using sturdy banister and railing
clips designed for that purpose. “The
garlands can get really heavy,” she says.
For the mantel, she hangs the garland
from three nails that stay in place
year-round. All other garland is simply
looped over corners or placed across
the top of furnishings.
3
ADD LIGHTS
Aiming for 100 to 200 lights
per garland, Tammy plugs in the lights
first, then tucks and twines them into
the garland so she can space the bulbs
evenly. She saves battery-powered
lights for tabletop or shelf displays.
4
LAYER ON ACCESSORIES
The key to Tammy’s look is the lushness
created by the volume of additional
accessories. All items are simply tucked
in place or attached to floral picks and
poked into the garland branches. “If
something falls, I just pick it up and MATERIALS WITH OOMPH
pop it back in,” she says. The loose A lush look like this stairway garland, above, takes more ingredients
construction gives her flexibility and than you might think. Tammy has several large storage tubs in her
is easy to fix, but it has an important
basement full of faux garland, flowers, leaves, and other notions.
bonus: “What takes me a whole day to
She starts with a thick fir garland then adds twinkle lights, dozens
set up I can take down in less than an
of flowers, and ribbon. The more-is-better approach carries
hour because nothing is attached.
It all comes right off, and I have a through to sizable seasonal artwork that she swaps in. A large
bin for florals, a bin for lights, and a wooden bowl holds multiple flameless candles, creating a warm
bin for ribbons.” glow. By sticking to a simplified color palette, beefy arrangements
and garlands, and groupings of smaller items, Tammy creates an
uncluttered look that suits the scale of her 1904 home.

ON TREND
A chunky knit throw
and pom-pom wreath
carry hip holiday
style into the master
bedroom, where
Tammy created an
accent wall by hanging
large-scale floral
wallpaper and painting
the antique bed with
pale gray milk paint.

HOLIDAY
Blossoms
IMPRESS YOUR GUESTS (AND SAVE MONEY) WITH THESE
SHOWSTOPPING ARRANGEMENTS. THE KICKER? YOU CAN GATHER
ALL OF THE INGREDIENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND
PUT THEM TOGETHER YOURSELF.
Produced by WADE SCHERRER Photographed by JASON DONNELLY
Written by NATALIE DAYTON
BUD BEAUTIES
Gather vintage and mismatched
stemware for an eclectic single-stem
display. Fill each glass a little over
halfway with water, then trim stems
to nestle into each vase. We paired
carnations, roses, spider mums,
and evergreen and eucalyptus sprigs
for a festive, colorful combo that
gives each a bit of the spotlight.
INGREDIENTS
RED ROSES
RED CARNATIONS
SHORT-NEEDLE PINE
REMOVE
LEAVES FROM
ANY PART OF
THE STEM
THAT WILL BE
SUBMERGED
IN WATER TO
HELP WATER
STAY FRESH
LONGER.
SEEING RED
This monochromatic bouquet brings a dose
of drama to any tablescape. Cut floral foam
to fit desired container, then add water. Cut
stems at an angle and place a few of the
largest blossoms into the foam to gauge the
general scale and shape of the arrangement.
Add greenery and more large flowers,
followed by smaller flowers to fill in gaps
and lend visual interest. Glue red ornaments
to the ends of plant stakes and tuck them
among the stems.

INGREDIENTS
GREEN SPIDER MUMS
WHITE CARNATIONS
GREEN HYPERICUM
BELLS OF IRELAND
MODERN MIX
This robust bouquet looks
difficult, but it’s made of only a
few elements. Cut floral foam to
fit the container, then add water. CUT FLOWERS
Starting in the center, tuck cut ARE THIRSTY.
stems into the vase, finishing CHECK THE
with lower stems around the WATER LEVEL
edges. Nestle green ornaments AND REFILL
glued to floral picks to finish. DAILY. CHANGE
THE WATER
EVERY FEW DAYS.

INGREDIENTS
WHITE SPIDER MUMS
WHITE ROSES
“Use what you have for containers.
VARIEGATED
PITTOSPORUM
A jar, wineglass, plant pot, or just
SEEDED EUCALYPTUS about any watertight container can
SHORT-NEEDLE PINE
be used to hold your arrangement."
—WADE SCHERRER, PRODUCER
LOW RIDER
A little glimmer with gold
pinecone ornaments gives this
arrangement a glam vibe. Find
a low, wide vase to create your
floral-filled mound. Add floral
foam, then cut stems short and
at an angle. For a tighter, more
compact arrangement, cut stems
at a more uniform length to keep
the flowers bunched together.
Finish with staked ornaments.

INGREDIENTS
POINSETTIA
BALSAM FIR
RED HYPERICUM
STAR TURN
More isn’t always better.
Case in point: This single
poinsettia, paired with festive
greens, makes a high-impact
display at any table. Add
floral foam to a cube vase,
then position the all-star
bloom where you’d like it. Fill
in behind with stems of red
hypericum and twigs of fir.

“Grocery store bouquets are a cost-
INGREDIENTS
WHITE HYDRANGEAS
effective way to bring fresh flowers
RED ROSES into your home on a regular basis."
SILVER BRUNIA
—WADE SCHERRER
CLASSIC ELEGANCE
Grab a pitcher, fill it with
water, add a few stems, and
voilà! You have this stunner
of a centerpiece. To keep
hydrangea looking fresh,
when blooms begin to wilt,
give the stem a cut of at least
an inch and get it into fresh
water immediately. For this
arrangement, we nestled red
roses and silver brunia amid
the big hydrangea blooms.

THE IN-“GREEN"-IENT LIST
HOLIDAY GREENERY
When making a from-scratch arrangement, fresh greenery adds the perfect
professional finishing touch. Take a look at some of our favorites to add to your
purchased florals. Most are readily available in local grocery stores or floral
shops (or take a peek out your window and trim them from a nearby tree!).
Silver Brunia
Perfect for a wintry Green
touch in your Hypericum
arrangement, these Similar to its red
silver baubles cousin, green Variegated
Red typically are sold in hypericum berries Pittosporum
Hypericum sets of 2–3 stems. are long-lasting and Technically a shrub,
These woody stems add texture to this variegated,
add a little color your bouquet. rounded foliage helps
to any bouquet fill out arrangements
with a sprinkle of with a double dose
red berries. of green.

Bells of
Ireland
These unique
cuttings add height
and a modern feel Seeded
with meandering, Eucalyptus Balsam Fir
chartreuse stems. All eucalyptus An added perk of
varieties are great incorporating
as greenery balsam fir into your
Scots Pine additions—seeded bouquet? The piney,
Nothing says holiday eucalyptus has Christmasy smell
quite like pine—take sturdy, malleable that comes with it! All
some trimmings from stems that work you need are a few
a nearby tree to fill well when mixed trimmings from
in and finish off your with other flowers your tree for an
arrangement. and greens. aromatic display.

NO-FAIL
COMBINATION
TRENDS
Brass finishes and oversize
gold balls and ornaments
bring a sophisticated,
elegant feel to traditional
plaid—a classic holiday
pattern. When decorating
your tree, remember
that natural elements
like pinecones, antlers,
wispy quail feathers, and
waxy magnolia leaves add
organic texture to the
colorful and shiny accents.
Pinecones
& Plaid KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON WITH A NATURAL
PALETTE OF PINECONES, BRANCHES, AND FRESH
GREENS ACCENTED WITH A PILE OF PLAID PATTERNS
FOR A NOSTALGIC YET SOPHISTICATED LOOK.

1 2
3 4
1. Skip the wreath and instead emphasize a special door shape with a fresh garland that’s intertwined with pinecones, ribbons, and
ornaments that announce your color scheme. 2. Accent tabletops with faux and real pinecones. Mix and match plaids in table linens—
the more the merrier. 3. Accents made of felt, wool, and plaid lend a cozy warmth that is carried across the settee for a balanced look.
Ceramic Santa boots serve as a fun vase for cut amaryllis. 4. The wall of pecky cypress planks provides a fitting backdrop for this foyer
forest. Pops of red, green, gray, and black help energize a base of rustic natural elements, such as pinecones and fresh greenery.
This woodland-meets-preppy look boasts a heavy dose of silver and gold accents on ornaments, bells, and bows.

TRENDS
PRETTY IN PINK
Be brave and use
nontraditional colors in
your holiday decorating
and wrapping. Swap in pale
blush tones for the usual
red and add in lots of silver,
cream, and gold. This motif
can go in many directions,
from luxe (with the addition
of velvet and satin textures)
to global (with ethnic prints
and patterns that look
pulled from an Indian sari).
Blush
& Bashful SHADES OF PINK, APRICOT, AND CORAL MAKE A BEAUTIFUL
SPLASH YEAR-ROUND—BUT ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

1 2
3 4
1. Cluster new and vintage sparkling, frosty, and glistening trees on your mantel or tabletop. Shades of rose are the classic
complement for gold and silver. 2. & 3. Pepperberries and hypericum berries in various shades of pink accent a wreath
and large arrangement. 4. A graceful candelabra accented with greenery, pink pepperberries, and pink ornaments dresses
up a table topped with glass- and dishware, metallics, and flickering candlelight.

TRENDS
Fire & Frost

BRIGHT WHITE LOOKS AS COOL AS FRESHLY FALLEN
SNOW WHEN IT’S PAIRED WITH DARK TONES LIKE NAVY 2
AND GRAY. FLOCKING MAY SEEM OLD-SCHOOL, BUT
HERE IT’S TOTALLY MODERN.
1. Use a tiered stand to pile up noisemakers and party crackers for guests to grab. 2. For a welcoming touch,
the plant materials in shades of blue-gray and forest green seem to glow against a midnight blue door.
3. A cluster of LED-tipped faux branches adds wintry drama to a hurricane vase filled with faux snow. If your
house has a dark backdrop, try this frosty palette for a winter wonderland effect.

Holly & Ivy
IF GREEN IS YOUR THING, GIVE YOUR DECOR A CRISP
LOOK WITH SHADES OF EMERALD, PERIDOT, AND 2
CHARTREUSE THAT WILL STILL LOOK FRESH LONG
AFTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON HAS PASSED.
1. Green hues brighten up holiday decorations but don’t stray too far from a traditional feel. Sprigs of holly and
ivy accented with green apples and crisp red berries are a traditional red-and-green holiday combo that
doesn’t feel overdone. 2. Lime green is a fun, youthful alternative that pops against dark green and white.
Create an easy swag to adorn walls and windows by tying ornaments of similar shades to the ends of satin ribbon.
3. A bar cart placed in an entry or hallway does double duty as a catchall for hostess gifts and party favors. Top it with
candles and an arrangement of green hydrangea, white ranunculus, and mini lemon cypress trees.

HAPPINESS IS
Handmade
AT CHRISTMASTIME, EMILY BARLOW’S IDAHO KITCHEN BECOMES
A VERITABLE BAKERY WHERE SHE APPROACHES EVERY TREAT
WITH THE EYE OF AN ARTIST.
Photographed by JAY WILDE Styled and written by LACEY HOWARD

ICING MADE
WITH MILK AND
POWDERED SUGAR
CREATES A GLAZE-
LIKE FROSTING
THAT CAN BE PIPED
INTO DELICATE
DESIGNS.
EMILY USES FOOD

GELS THINNED
WITH VANILLA
EXTRACT TO PAINT
ON WATERCOLOR-
LIKE IMAGES.
BAKING IS HER SUPERPOWER TINY CANVASES

“Without a doubt, my favorite moments happen in the Last year, Emily discovered a love for baking
kitchen,” Emily Barlow, opposite, says of the Pocatello, French macarons, above. “They are not for the
Idaho, home she shares with her husband, Shaun, faint of heart! I tossed many batches before
and their 10-, 7-, and 3-year-old children. She found a finally getting them right,” she says. But once
passion for cooking as a new mom. “The cherry on top successful, “I knew they needed to be painted!”
was discovering a way I could combine a love of art with Follow Emily’s baking and decorating adventures
my newfound love of baking,” she says. on Instagram (@handmade.farmhouse).

FROSTED WITH LOVE
Emily’s sugar cookies, right, feature
colorful designs that make them even
more delicious. “My tip: Skip the butter
knife,” she says. “I love a thick layer of
buttercream as much as anyone, but
if you want to take your cookies up a
notch, try mixing milk and powdered
sugar to create a thick glaze.” She uses
piping bags with small frosting tips to
add color and details. “For dimension,
allow the first layer of frosting to dry,
and then go back and frost on top to
add a second layer,” she says.
MAKING MEMORIES
“I have so many magical memories as a child
at Christmastime, and I want the same for my
children,” she says. “This Christmas they are
all very filled with the magic of the season.”
Emily decided to capture their excitement
with her decor by creating vignettes that
invite a closer look, “like a child looks into a
shaken snow globe,” she says. One of those
scenes is her dining centerpiece, left. “I really
wanted it to be lighthearted, whimsical, and
inviting, like walking into an old-fashioned
candy shop.”
EDIBLE SNOW GLOBES

Emily was inspired to create a cookie
that captures her children’s wide-eyed
excitement—and the snow globe macaron,
opposite, was born. “I love that sugar can
be manipulated in so many ways. It’s kitchen
science!” Emily says. The globe is simply
melted sugar poured into a circle and dried
on a silicone sheet. Emily adds an icing
sprinkle to the globe for the look of falling
snow. She assembles the treats with frosting
and adds more icing sprinkles, then she lets
the finished treats set up for a few minutes
before moving.

“I felt inspired to create a holiday
with the theme of childlike
wonder. Everything from decor
and ornaments to food and treats
needed to have a whimsical feel.”
—EMILY BARLOW, HOMEOWNER
PURCHASED
MINI ICING
DECORATIONS
(LIKE THESE
SNOWMEN BY
WILTON) STAND
IN FRONT OF THE
CLEAR, ROUND
SUGAR GLOBES.

EMILY’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY
SHAPES TO DECORATE
INCLUDE HOUSES,
TREES, SNOWPEOPLE,
SNOWFLAKES, AND GIFTS.
FAMILY FAVORITE
“My kids beg to make gingerbread
cookies,” Emily says. “Not only does
gingerbread have the most delicious
“Good food is like time travel holiday flavor, but it’s also the best cookie
for constructing shapes. We have made
in that scents and flavors can just about every gingerbread shape in
the book.” Emily makes flat house-shape
take you right back to a cookies, above, and 3D structures from
shapes glued together with icing. “I love
cherished memory.” making little gingerbread villages for
—EMILY BARLOW centerpieces or to place inside of jars on
top of sugar,” she says. “I recommend
skipping a cutter or template and simply
cutting your own unique sizes and shapes.”

CANDY SHOP COCOA
At one end of the kitchen, Emily converted
floating shelves and the countertop into a
space for crafting cocoa, above right. “We
use the hot cocoa station all of December,”
she says. “My candy shop colors appear in
paper items like straws and cupcake liners to
add texture and visual interest.”
CHRISTMAS PIE
Emily uses a 3-inch cookie cutter to make
miniature cherry pies with lattice tops. “I
have so much fun making these and giving
them as gifts because they’re so beautiful
and unique!” She delivers them in bags tied
with baking twine and bright red tags.
Natural
SURROUNDINGS
ORGANIC ELEMENTS HELP A NATURE-LOVING BLOGGER
ALIGN HER HOLIDAY DECOR WITH THE GREAT OUTDOORS.
Photographed by JAY WILDE Written by PAMELA PORTER
B
ecause we’re indoors SET THE SCENE
more often than we’d Atop the DIY mantel, opposite, a collection of bottlebrush trees
and fresh greens continue Aniko’s color scheme. She fashioned
like in the winter,” Aniko the mantel from stained boards, assembling them to mimic a
Levai says, “I consciously barn beam and making an identical one painted white that can be
let sights and smells from the swapped in on a whim simply by popping a few screws. For the
greenery, Aniko started with an artificial garland and secured
outdoors drive my holiday decorating, evergreen sprigs from her backyard using florists wire. Battery-
creating a feeling that is perfectly operated votive candles placed inside the ceramic houses make
suited to our outdoorsy family.” As the display especially enchanting. To add natural texture and
layers, Aniko made a quick, casual macramé garland using basic
a bonus, the approach is also quite knots and three-strand twisted cotton macramé cord. The
thrifty, which aligns with Aniko’s stockings look as if they were made from old wool sweaters.
philosophy, “Why buy it if I can make
it myself and save money?” On her THE GREAT INDOORS
Business owner by day and a DIYer by night, Hungarian native
blog, Place of My Taste, she chronicles Aniko Levai (who moved to the United States 20 years ago with
her creative endeavors such as these husband Miki), below, immersed herself in decorating the couple’s
down-to-earth holiday ideas grounded Richmond, Virginia, home. Her style has evolved into modern-
meets-boho topped off with brave choices. Aniko and Miki
in fresh greens, woodland hues, and celebrate the holidays at home with sons Bence (11), Patrick (9),
natural textures. 0 and their golden doodle, Boomer.

“I don't let the
demands of life
keep me from
being creative.
I weave
creativity
into my life
wherever I can.”
—ANIKO LEVAI, HOMEOWNER
GETTING A LITTLE FRESH

Each year the family selects a fresh tree
for the living room, a tradition both
Aniko and Miki grew up with in Hungary.
“Though it’s always tempting to get
the biggest tree possible, I’ve learned
to choose a size that won’t overwhelm
the room,” she says. Simple glass ball
ornaments in a trio of specific hues—
wine, ochre, and evergreen—adorn the
tree. The earthy palette, inspired by
Aniko’s wardrobe, is present throughout
the house. “If you want your decor to
reflect your personality, take a peek in
your closet and let the colors you wear
inspire the colors you decorate with,”
she says. Aniko wraps gifts in brown
kraft paper, which is both eco-friendly
and inexpensive. She fills open shelving
with logs and wooden relics picked up at
thrift stores. Textural accents such as the
bamboo blinds, a woven basket and light
fixture, leather furnishings, and an animal
skull complete the natural vibe.

BRINGING
NATURE
HOME
Whether you’re out for a walk
or hitting a farmers market,
be mindful of objects that
can bring a bit of nature to
your rooms. In addition to
collecting flowers and greens,
try one of these ideas.
0 Fill a candy dish with acorns,
buckeyes, or pistachios.
0 Place several large pinecones
in a basket or bowl.
0 Position a large, smooth river
rock or deer antler on top of a
book on a coffee table or shelf.
0 Display produce (apples,
pears, artichokes) in a bowl
or in a perfect line down the
center of a table runner.
0 Use a large wood slice from a
tree trunk as a tray or trivet to
ground a few candles.
0 Place birch poles in tall vases
next to the hearth.
0 Cut ornament shapes from
birch bark or use the bark to
wrap votives or vases.
0 Arrange sticks, twigs, tall
grasses, seed pods, or feathers
in a vase.
0 Roll up balls of chunky wool
yarn in a basket on the floor.
0 Use natural textiles such as
wool, cotton, and linen for
pillows and throws.
COZY UP 0 Brew cinnamon sticks or apple
“I strive to make my home cozy during the holidays,” Aniko says, “and cider on the stove or use drops
that means layering on a lot of texture.” With a pile of throws, a furry of cedar or pine essential oils
rug, and warm hues, the family room, above, hits the mark. Suspended in a diffuser.
from a branch Aniko found on a hike, the macramé hanging softens
the wall. Votive village houses and fairy lights hanging from above the
window set the space aglow at night. A clever compromise to having
a second full-size tree, a small tree sits in a planter wrapped in snowy
white faux fur and a thatch garland. Aniko adorned the branches with
wooden shapes she stained and drilled for hanging.
MAKING ARRANGEMENTS
Most family meals happen in this breakfast nook, opposite, so Aniko
opted for a few fuss-free arrangements. She used a macramé wreath
she’d made previously as a base for the new wreath and secured fresh
cedar, juniper, and Fraser fir sprigs from her backyard with florists
wire. For added depth and interest, she nestled eucalyptus among the
greens. Aniko made the small tabletop centerpiece by cutting floral
foam to fit in a brass bowl and inserting fresh greens and baby roses in
burgundy and ochre hues.

“I approach
decorating with a
DIY attitude. If I
can save money by
making something,
that's what I'll do.”
—ANIKO LEVAI
THE MAIN ATTRACTION

The foggy mountaintop painting in the
formal dining room, left, is one of Aniko’s
brave decorating choices. Rather than let
a lot of holiday decorations detract from
the statement art, she assembled a single
centerpiece as the only seasonal touch in
the room. “The powerful artwork and the
hues in the rug already contributed to the
overall look,” Aniko says, “so I just added the
fresh arrangement and voilà!” Aniko credits
a florist friend for getting her hooked on
floral arrangements. Starting with a large
brass vessel and floral form sponges, the
two worked together to combine branches
trimmed from the bottom of the Christmas
tree with backyard sprigs and fresh flowers
from Aniko’s go-to flower stop, Trader Joe’s.
FORGET-ME-NOT
All rooms receive a touch of seasonal cheer.
In her master bath, opposite, Aniko graces
each mirror with swags of fresh evergreen
and a tiny arrangement atop the custom-
made sink vanity. The star tile wall is a focal
point year-round but proves particularly
festive during the holidays.
THE HANG OF IT
Macramé novices and pros alike can make
these easy ornaments, right, in about an
hour. Paint foam ball ornaments blue, grab
a few curtain rings and some macramé cord
or yarn, then head to placeofmytaste.com/
macrame-ornaments for full instructions.

CUSTOM-MADE
& CHRISTMAS
ready
CREATE DOZENS OF BEAUTIFULLY COORDINATED
GIFT WRAPS OF YOUR OWN DESIGN USING A HANDFUL
OF EASY STAMP AND STENCIL TECHNIQUES.
Projects by SUZONNE STIRLING Photographed by CARSON DOWNING Written by BEVERLY RIVERS
Trio of Trees and More

Varying shades of red, blue-green, and tan in both solid papers and ribbons
allow you to create a whole new gift wrap with the slightest change in color
combination and pattern placement. The packages, above and opposite, all
use a carved-stamp technique (described in detail on page 72).

Bunches of Berries
Make a linocut stem or dip the edge of a piece of
crafts foam in paint and stamp a line. Glue a round
piece of foam to a wooden dowel to stamp the berry.
Make a separate
stamp for each
tree style so
you can create
a variety of
arrangements.
Ribbons in
trendy velvet
and suede
textures
add glamour
to gifts.
Stars and Wreaths

The tree, star, and wreath patterns were “linocut” or cut into
stamp blocks with a linoleum-cutting tool. (Learn how to make
stamps on page 72.) Heavyweight matte-finish paper is best
when stamping with acrylic crafts paint or quick-drying ink. A
pencil eraser dots perfect wreath berries every time.

Red Velvet Reindeer
Our designer traced the inside of a deer stencil
onto flocked self-adhesive paper, cut it out, and
adhered it to solid-color gift wrap. (See page 72.)
“Thanks to clever paint

brands, when you visit
Society6.com and
search for Simply Solids Faux Bois for Fun
French for “false wood,” the ancient technique of
wrapping papers, you'll faux bois is as easy as it is beautiful. Purchase a
graining tool at your paint shop or crafts store and
find ones to match your pull it through wet acrylic crafts paint. Mix in glazing
medium to increase the working time before the paint
wall color. It's amazing!" dries. (For how-to, see page 72.)
—SUZONNE STIRLING, PRODUCER

A Matter of Splatter
With the flick of
your wrist, release
dots and drips of
thinned paint from
a paintbrush onto
your paper. Make
fewer dots for a
light dusting of snow
or more dots for a
real blizzard!
Coated with Texture

Dry-brush with a stiff-bristle brush and a small amount of
paint to add texture. Dry brushing is just what it suggests—
you pick up a small amount of paint on the brush bristles and
drag in one direction across the paper (see page 73).

For ink-
stamping,
choose a quick-
dry ink pad
that works well
on most papers.
(Brilliance
Pigment and
StāzOn by
Tsukineko
are two of our
designer’s
favorites.)
One-Stamp Wonders
The smallest purchased rubber stamps can
produce big results. Use them for tiny packages
(above) or gift tags (top left). Repeat an image in
a circle to fashion a wreath (top right) or stamp
in multiple rows (middle left) to form an overall
pattern. Repeat evergreen branches (middle
right) all over or, for bushy evergreen corners
(left), stamp a single branch three times, one
over the other.

Holiday Holly
Cut a leaf shape from crafts foam and glue it to a block
of wood. (See page 73.) Stamp the design randomly or
in a pattern with acrylic crafts paint or quick-drying
ink. Dip an eraser into paint and dot berries on leaves.
Create an
entire roll
of paper or
wrap your
gift first to
decide where
to place
motifs.
Out of Lines
Dip the edge of a piece
of crafts foam into paint
and make one band of
stripes(above right) or
enough parallel rows to cover
a package (left). Use two
colors and alternate the
direction to create a patchwork
grid (top left).

Handmade
HOLIDAY
GIFT WRAPS LINOCUT STAMPS
MATERIALS
SELECT HEAVY, SOLID PAPERS – Tracing paper
PLUS VELVET AND SATIN RIBBONS – MOO Carve stamp block
IN THREE OR FOUR COLORS. ADD A – Bone folder or teaspoon
FEW TAGS AND TRINKETS. USE YOUR – Linoleum cutting tool, No. 1, 2, and 5 tips
FAVORITE TECHNIQUE OR MIX AND – Utility knife
MATCH TO CREATE AN ARRAY OF – Quick-set crafts glue
COORDINATED PACKAGES.
INSTRUCTIONS
Place tracing paper over your template and trace the
design with a pencil. Lay it penciled side-down on a stamp
block and use a bone folder or the back of a spoon to
transfer the design. With the cutting tool and a No. 1 or No.
2 tip, carve along each line (cut away from your body). Use
a No. 5 tip to “scoop out” the material around the design.
With a utility knife, trim excess material, leaving a ¼-inch
border all around. Use a quick-set glue to adhere your
cutout to a thin square of wood that is slightly larger than
your linocut shape.
Wood graining
tools like this
one can be
purchased at
your local crafts
supply store.
STENCIL SHAPES ON TEXTURED PAPERS WOOD GRAINING

MATERIALS MATERIALS
– Stencil or an enlarged pattern of your choice – Acrylic crafts paint
– Self-adhesive flocked, suede, or velvet paper – Liquitex glazing medium
– Scissors or utility knife – Paper plate
– Foam brush
INSTRUCTIONS – Wood graining tool
Lay the stencil on self-adhesive flocked, suede, or velvet
paper and trace around the inside of the design. Cut INSTRUCTIONS
out the shape. With many velvet or suede papers, you Mix equal parts acrylic paint and glazing medium on a
simply peel off the paper backing and apply the silhouette paper plate. The glaze slows down the drying time and gives
directly to your wrapping paper. Depending on the brand you longer to work. With a foam brush the same width as
you choose, some flocked papers need to be ironed onto your graining tool, brush a line of the mixture onto your
the paper. We recommend following the manufacturer’s paper. Immediately go over the paint with the graining tool,
instructions for applying the paper. dragging it downward through the paint mix and gently
rocking your hand to create the knots. Brush on another line
of paint and repeat until you cover the entire piece of paper.

DRY BRUSHING SPLATTER PAINT
MATERIALS MATERIALS
– Acrylic crafts paint – Paper plate
– Paper plate – Acrylic crafts paint
– Chip brush or paintbrush – Newspaper or drop cloth
– Paper towels – Flat paintbrush or toothbrush
– Paint stirrer, ruler, or similar
INSTRUCTIONS
With a small amount of paint on a paper plate, dip the INSTRUCTIONS
bristles of the brush into the paint and wipe off most of On a paper plate, dilute acrylic crafts paint with a little
the paint on a paper towel. Lightly drag color on the paper, water so the paint is thinner and falls from the brush easily.
working in one direction, until you are pleased with the Splatters tend to travel, so start by protecting your work
amount of coverage. surface. To replicate the splatters shown here, use a flat
If you want to apply paint in both directions to create 1-inch brush and dip it in diluted paint. Use a flick-of-the-
a crosshatch or loose plaid pattern, let the first layer dry, wrist motion or tap brush onto stirrer or ruler to deposit
then turn your paper 90 degrees and apply paint. Keep the droplets directly onto paper. Let drops dry thoroughly.
dry brushing light so you can stamp or stencil other motifs For an alternate method, choose an old toothbrush. Dip
over the top to coordinate with other papers. the bristles into thinned paint, aim the bristles toward the
paper, and run your thumb across them to create a spray.
Practice to perfect your aim.
FOAM STAMPS
& STRIPES
MATERIALS
– Fine-tip scissors
– Crafts foam sheet
– Cookie cutter
– Quick-set crafts glue
– Small birch plywood scraps PURCHASED STAMPS
– Quick-dry ink pad MATERIALS
– Acrylic crafts paint (optional) – Premade stamps
– Quick-dry ink pad
INSTRUCTIONS
Make a foam stamp with multiple lines by cutting strips of INSTRUCTIONS
crafts foam. Or create a specific shape by pressing a cookie Be on the lookout at crafts stores for commercial
cutter into the foam and, with a pair of fine-tip scissors, stamps, large and small, that fit your gift wrap theme
cutting along the outside of the impressed lines. Use quick- and are easy to use with quick-dry ink. Apply stamps
set crafts glue to adhere your foam cutouts to a thin square in various patterns to gift wrap, tags, and more. Our
of wood that is slightly larger than your foam shape. (If the examples include stamping in a grid pattern, stamping
wood is too much bigger, it’s hard to see exactly where your the same shape in a circle to form a wreath, and
stamp is positioned on the paper.) Add a handle by gluing stamping in a loose pattern to cover the paper.
a small block to the center back of the wood base. Use the
stamp with a quick-dry ink pad.
Another option for creating stripes: Dip the edge of a scrap
piece of crafts foam in paint and stamp a straight line.

BEYOND
Basic
WITH BLACK AND WHITE AS HER HOME’S

DECOR FOUNDATION, BECKY GRUNWALD MIXES
IN PATTERN, COLOR, AND CHRISTMAS CHEER.
Photographed by ADAM ALBRIGHT

Written by CATHY STILL McGOWIN
GUEST SWEETS
There’s nothing more inviting than a thermos of hot cocoa and a tin of cookies to
welcome guests during the holidays. Becky keeps her collection of vintage serving
pieces, above, at the ready next to the stove for family and neighbors who drop by.
That way, she can whip up a hot drink quickly—and even when it’s not filled with a
steaming concoction, the Christmas tartan plaid seems to radiate warmth.

PERFECTLY SEASONED
It took five makeovers during the course of seven years to
get Becky Grunwald’s kitchen exactly as she wanted it. To
complement the black-and-white color scheme during the
holidays, Becky adds festive dashes of red and sprinkles of
green with vintage finds and tabletop trees. She leaves the
8-foot-long island mostly unadorned, preferring to keep it open
as a workstation. “This is a place where lots of lists are made,”
Becky says. “You’ll find me sitting here with a cup of coffee
while I’m addressing Christmas cards.”

HOME FIRES
No room is off-limits to Christmas decor. Becky’s home office lends space
for a decorated tree stuffed with a combination of tiny houses (originally
tea light holders), black and white bulbs in multiple sizes, ribbon made from
leftover dining room wallpaper, and books opened as if in the middle of
being read. “The dollhouse was originally purchased as a toy for my nieces,
but I snagged it for a whimsical scene under the tree this year,” Becky says.
A vintage green toy truck is filled with a tiny Christmas tree and faux snow.

B
ecky Grunwald says her Canal Fulton,
Ohio, family home is pretty typical,
at least on the outside. But inside,
she’s transformed what she calls a
builder-grade home into a modern farmhouse
wonderland that becomes especially magical during
the holidays.
While Becky—the blogger behind the site The
Other Side of Neutral—uses favorite items in new
ways year after year, she still likes to mix in fresh
Christmas decorations each season. “I typically
pick one room of the house that gets all new decor,
usually following something trending for the season
to inspire my social media followers and blog
readers,” she says. Becky sprinkles cheer across
every room in her home, seeking out children’s
toys, tiny accents, and heartwarming sentiments to
create enchanting vignettes under her trees and on
her tabletops.
But her family—husband Terry and five young
adult and teen children—rather than her fans
are Becky’s main focus during the holidays. “On
Christmas Eve the kids still look forward to a visit
from the elves when we leave for the candlelight
service at church. It wouldn’t feel like Christmas if
we didn’t sing “Silent Night” with our candles and
our church family.” 0
STADIUM SEATING
Becky’s finished basement, above left,
offers vintage charms including seating
culled from a local theater and a state
map of Ohio. “We used this space a lot
in past years,” Becky says. “It was nice
to have the extra room for parties,
big and small, as well as out-of-town
guests.” A wreath nods to the season.
SETTING THE SCENE

Painted black (Carbon paint by Behr in
a matte finish), the fireplace surround
is the perfect canvas for Becky’s
collection of holiday accessories, left.
Bottlebrush trees, brass candlesticks,
and an assortment of lanterns from
crafts and discount stores are casually
assembled at varying heights. White
stockings, one for each of the five
children, are stuffed with greenery
until Santa arrives.

“My husband cooks and prepares all holiday meals. He
takes the week off of work to shop for all the ingredients.
Our entire meal, desserts included, is from scratch.”
—BECKY GRUNWALD, HOMEOWNER

SEASONAL SETTINGS
Individual place settings,
left, include black and white
dishes and buffalo plaid
napkins tied with a bit of
greenery. “I use the wicker
place mats year-round.
They look just as good with
spring and summer decor
as they do fall and winter,”
Becky says.
GATHER ’ROUND
Becky says she hardly ever used her dining
room, opposite—at least until she spun
her DIY magic. A chair rail along with
black-and-white plaid patterned wallpaper
give the space architectural interest and
dimension. “I grew up watching my mom
paper anything that stood still for more than
a minute!” Becky says. “I don’t claim to be
a professional, but I can get the job done!”
Becky had a vision for her Christmas table
runner and had the hand-scripted paper
scroll inked by a good friend.
HINTS OF HOLIDAY
An upcycled pie safe, right, holds favorite
china. During the holidays, Becky layers in
just enough Christmas details to make it sing.
Vintage dictionaries and a stack of plates
become platforms for holiday accents. A
custom print of Psalm 23 is on display all year.
SANTA’S WORKSHOP SNOWY EVENING
To organize her ribbons and papers, Becky put “The flocked tree brings a warmth and
together an assembly of stock cabinets that included softness to the high contrast of the black
large drawers and cubbies, left. “I knew this space bed frame,” Becky says of the bedroom
would see a lot of use, and I wanted to enjoy being in scene, above. “It’s undecorated and
here while giving everything a space to live,” she says. provides Christmas ambience without
A DIY chalkboard keeps tasks in the forefront, while going overboard.” A flocked wreath tops a
a Christmas wreath enhances the cheer. During the pair of photographs depicting barns from
holidays, Becky creates a signature look and color Becky’s hometown. “I love to layer and
scheme for all of her gifts. “There will definitely be decorate in odd-number groupings, so it
black and white on it somewhere. Sometimes I save just felt right to hang it here,” Becky says.
on paper by using a simple brown kraft paper so I can
splurge on fancy fabric ribbons,” she says. For Resources, see page 96.
“I love to use Scripture or really anything

that reminds me and my family of the
true meaning of Christmas.”
—BECKY GRUNWALD

mood setting
INSPIRATION FOR THE CHRISTMAS TABLE EMERGES
FROM WHAT’S NEW AND WHAT’S TRIED AND TRUE.
Produced and written by KRISSA ROSSBUND Photographed by MARTY BALDWIN
HOLIDAY FASHION LEAVES OF LACE
Like a little black dress on a holiday partygoer, black lends There are plenty of holes in this table story. A lustrous
a chic vibe to a modern setting, opposite. A striped, round metallic dinner plate shows through a pierced border
place mat circles plates festooned with a dot motif. Their of vintage creamware atop a gold place mat laser-cut to
matte finish is repeated on gunmetal-color flatware. Edged look like layered leaves, above. A wood laser-cut place
in silver, a black napkin is secured with a fashion-forward card matches the delicacy of the napkin with a dainty
bow made of red-and-green striped grosgrain ribbon crocheted edge and beaded napkin ring. Elegant gold rope
topped with a sparkling jewel. A tray of silver and gold ornamentation outlines matte silver flatware. The scalloped
dazzles with chic black candles and red bows. cake plate with a lace-like border mimics the airiness of the
powdered sugar-coated rosette cookies displayed on it.

GOLD RUSH MAD FOR PLAID
The fresh energy of natural green glows when partnered The pulse of Christmas always beats with plaid. A velvet
with gold, opposite. A shimmery mat hosts unmatched place mat with a silk border, above, sets the tone for plates
plates of delicate green motifs grounded on a gold, featuring variations of the structured pattern. A nod to
linen-texture glass charger. An embroidered green Scotland, where tartan first made its mark, comes from a
vine lines the edge of a napkin tied with a simple white kilt pin that adorns the velvet-trimmed napkin. Buffalo plaid
cord knotted around a sprig of eucalyptus. The fresh in red and black stretches under the centerpiece trimmings
green repeats on stems that weave among an array of of winter greens, pinecones, and cardinals. Fluted flatware
mismatched brass candlesticks. enhances the linear qualities of the plaid scheme.

STRAW POWER SILVER LINING
There’s nothing flat about the paper in this ensemble, above. Luxury exudes from a place setting wrapped to look like a
Dinnerware—a combination of solid-color and patterned package tucked under the Christmas tree, opposite. The
plates—sings atop a wood charger and a place mat filled flashy tone is set with a round silver place mat boasting
with musical notes. Wood-style straws cut and formed into scalloped trim around its edge. Charming silver flatware with
snowflake-shape ornaments mingle among a forest of paper intricate handles, a plain napkin with a subtle sheen, and the
trees made from musical note scrapbook paper. Wood plate grouping all nestle neatly under a wide, shimmery silver
flatware handles support the natural spirit. ribbon fashioned into a bow. Boxes wrapped in coordinating
papers offer a properly beribboned setting.

Silver and gold
might be Christmas
neutrals, but their
sparkle and shine
add festive flair
no matter the
tablescape's theme.

MODERN MIX
The living room has
an eclectic feel with a
bold blue velvet sofa, an
outdoor rattan chair, and
a midcentury take on a
wing-back chair. Many
red accessories establish
the room’s seasonal
cheer, so Kelly Elko opted
for white ornaments on
the tree. “I put our family
ornaments in a big bowl
so we could still look
through them,” she says.

ALL IS
Shiny &
BRIGHT KELLY ELKO
LIGHTS UP HER
1903 COLONIAL
WITH A RAINBOW
OF VINTAGE GLASS
ORNAMENTS
AND INVENTIVE
HOLIDAY
TWISTS ON
EVERYDAY DECOR.
Produced by
MONIKA EYERS
Photographed by
DAVID A. LAND
Styled by
MATTHEW GLEASON
Written by
KELLY RYAN KEGANS
Photographer's Agent: PAT BATES & ASSOCIATES

A
s a child, Kelly Elko would lie
underneath her family’s Christmas
tree and stare up into the branches
covered in flickering tiny lights.
“There’s something about that nighttime glow
that is so special,” the design blogger says. “I put
as many lights as I can on my trees.”
Even when the twinkle lights are off, the
holiday decor in Kelly’s 1903 Colonial home
in Summit, New Jersey, sparkles with vintage
collectibles. The most treasured of the collections
in the home she shares with her husband, Steve,
and their twin daughters are the candy-color
Shiny Brite ornaments on a pair of trees in the
dining room. “I set my theme around their bright
retro colors,” Kelly says.
The ornaments’ pink, aqua, silver, and red
repeat in other keepsakes Kelly has found while
thrifting. In the foyer, a pair of mercury glass
snowmen and a red lantern inherited from her
father sit atop a weathered wooden trunk Kelly
found at an estate sale. “When I’m shopping
estate sales for holiday pieces, I always hit the
basements and garages first. That’s where I find
all my bargains,” she says.
One such find is the focal point in the living
room: an old chalkboard resting on the mantel.
She changes the illustrations seasonally with the
help of Julia Townsend, a neighbor with a knack
for art who chalks Kelly’s ideas. “She brings
my visions to life,” Kelly says. At the base of
the chalkboard is a snow village of inexpensive
ceramic houses and trees Kelly details with a black
Sharpie. “I like to doodle on the houses to make
them my own,” she says.
Recently, the creative challenge of finding ways
to decorate with her existing treasures has
replaced the hunting and gathering, but there’s
one thing Kelly won’t cross off her list. “I would
never pass up a Shiny Brite!” 0

CURB APPEAL
Kelly (who blogs at
kellyelko.com and is on
Instagram @kelly.elko)
is shown opposite top
with her husband, Steve,
and daughters Olivia
and Vanessa. Her
childhood sled rests near
the front door.
LAYER UP
The foyer, opposite
bottom, offers a playful
vibe with a pom-pom
garland atop evergreens.
SMALL WONDERS
“Grouping small things
has big impact,” says
Kelly of colorful holiday
lights displayed on a cake
stand, this photo.
REPURPOSED OBJECTS
Vintage soda bottles
displayed in glass
cabinets during the
year “skirt” a feather
tree, right, at Christmas.
COZY CORNER
A simple pillow
switch, below left, gives
the rattan settee a
seasonal look.
DECK THE WALLS

The red metal bow,
below right, finds a
different locale in the
kitchen each year.
“Why have one item when

you can have five or 10?
Grouping small things
together has big impact."
—KELLY ELKO, HOMEOWNER
ILLUMINATING IDEAS
Kelly turned a pair
of demijohns into light
fixtures above
the kitchen island.

TOY STORY
Kelly uses kids’ toys,
like this mini fire truck
turned plant stand, right,
for a nostalgic touch.
White paper snowflakes
and red ornaments piled
at the base of the plant
add holiday cheer.
SCENE SETTING
The dining room
tablescape, below, is
inspired by the hues
of Kelly’s Shiny Brite
ornament collection.

ON FULL DISPLAY
“I wanted a special
place to display
my Shiny Brite
ornament collection,”
Kelly says of the
two trees in the dining
room. She chose
trees that had widely
spaced branches
so the ornaments
can dangle among
the strands of
1,600 lights. Kelly likes
to mix her new lustrous
pieces with vintage
ones that have
a matte patina.
DINING DECOR
TABLE SETTING
A forest of mercury glass trees in varying shapes and sizes amid sprigs of faux evergreen works as a
runner all season. “I tuck fairy lights into glass jars, plus run them through the scene,” Kelly says. She
sets the table with retro blue stemware and gold flatware on red vinyl place mats to draw on the colors
and luster of her Shiny Brite ornaments. The mats’ traditional crochet pattern is another play on the
vintage theme. “I don’t like tablecloths, so I always try to find fun place mats,” she says.

RESOURCES
where to buy
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT LISTED SOURCES.
WE REGRET THAT WE CANNOT GUARANTEE AVAILABILITY OF ITEMS.
MERRY CRIMSON Pigment Ink in Moonlight White, Delicata Pigment Ink

Pages 12–23 in Ruby Red, and StāzOn in Teal Blue—Tsukineko;
Follow homeowner Louisa Craven on Instagram, michaels.com and other online vendors.
@louisa_craven. Page 68
Self-adhesive flocked papers—etsy.com. Deer head stencils
FRONT & CENTER (3 sizes in a pack)—Woodburns Stencil Shop; amazon
Pages 24–29 .com. Wood graining tools—available at some crafts supply
Story producer—Kim Hutchison. or hardware stores, and readily available at amazon.com.
Page 24 Liquitex Glazing Medium—available at crafts supply stores.
16-inch willow branch wreath form—craftoutlet.com. Gloria
Doublette Double Sided Crepe Paper—32NorthSupplies, BEYOND BASIC
etsy.com. Darice 10mm natural wood beads—amazon.com. Pages 74–81
Page 25 Visit homeowner Becky Grunwald’s blog, The Other Side of
Lion Brand Homespun Thick & Quick Yarn—joann.com. Neutral; theothersideofneutral.com.
Bowdabra Bow Wire in Gold—michaels.com.
Page 26 MOOD SETTING
Papier-mâché balls—michaels.com. Pages 82–87
Page 27 Page 82
Assorted small favor boxes, 1.5 to 3 inches—amazon.com Tray—L’Objet; l-objet.com. Striped place mat—Von Gern
Home; vongernhome.com. Dotted charger and salad
Christmas Ideas® (ISSN 0748-8106), 2020. Christmas Ideas is published annually in September by Meredith Corp., 1716 Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50309-3023.
and orientaltrading.com.
Page 28 plate—Villeroy & Boch; villeroy-boch.com. Flatware—
Rigby Home; rigbyhome.com. Glassware—Replacements;
Better Homes & Gardens is a registered trademark in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Better Homes & Gardens marca registrada en México.
Assorted green felts, red felt, and felt extra-small pom-
poms—BenzieDesign, etsy.com. replacements.com. Black candles—amazon.com.
Page 29 Page 83
Gold faux greenery—factorydirectcraft.com. Gold berries Dinner plate, salad plate, cake plate—Replacements;
and mercury glass ornaments—amazon.com. replacements.com. Flatware—Juliska; juliska.com.
Page 84
CULTIVATING STYLE Gold charger—Villeroy & Boch; villeroy-boch.com. Dinner
Pages 30–37 plate—Royal Crown Derby; royalcrownderby.co.uk. Salad
Visit homeowner Tammy Damore’s blog, The Cultivated plate—Bernardaud; bernardaud.com. Flatware—Rigby
Home; tammydamore.com. Home; rigbyhome.com. Napkin—Kim Seybert; kimseybert
.com. Candlesticks and glassware—Replacements;
HAPPINESS IS HANDMADE replacements.com.
Pages 52–57 Page 85
Visit homeowner Emily Barlow’s blog, Handmade Napkin and flatware—Juliska; juliska.com. Cardinals and
Farmhouse; handmadefarmhouse.com. buffalo plaid runner—amazon.com.
Page 86
NATURAL SURROUNDINGS
Dinner plate—Juliska; juliska.com. Salad plate—Villeroy &
Pages 58–65
Boch; villeroy-boch.com. Linen napkin—Juliska; juliska
Visit homeowner Aniko Levai’s blog, Place of My Taste; .com. Flatware—Vietri; vietri.com. Paper—Hobby Lobby;
placeofmytaste.com. hobbylobby.com. Kraft paper straws—amazon.com.
© Meredith Corp. 2020. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
CUSTOM-MADE & CHRISTMAS READY

Page 87
Pages 66–73
Place mat—Juliska; juliska.com. Gunmetal dinner plate—
Story producer—Suzonne Stirling; suzonnestirling.com. Vista Alegre; vistaalegre.com. White plate with gold trim and
Throughout stemmed glass—Replacements; replacements.com. Bread
Wrapping paper from Simply Solids through Society6— and butter plate—Richard Ginori; richardginori1735.com.
Midtone Bright Holiday Red, Dark Red Tomato, Dark Drinking glass—Kim Seybert; kimseybert.com.
Pastel Mint Green, Imperial Dynasty, Mango Pink Orange, ALL IS SHINY & BRIGHT
Arboretum (Dark Mint Green), Coral; society6.com. Pages 88–95
Page 66–67 Visit homeowner Kelly Elko’s blog, Love Where You Live;
Moo Carve blocks and Speedball linoleum cutter set— kellyelko.com.
dickblick.com, amazon.com, and many art stores. Brilliance

Help us reach one million pillowcases in 2020! Current count: 970,491
#millionpillowcasechallenge
Make a pillowcase.
Make a difference.
For people who love to sew or quilt, it’s so easy to
lift spirits and provide comfort to hospitalized kids,
homeless families, and others in need. Simply join
American Patchwork & Quilting® magazine’s 1 Million
Pillowcase Challenge and make and donate one,
two, or more pillowcases. You’ll make a difference
with every pillowcase you donate.
Join the movement today. Find complete details,

download free patterns, and be sure to record your
donations online at:
AllPeopleQuilt.com/millionpillowcases
Now you can send pillowcases to us and we’ll
distribute to charities across the country.
Visit AllPeopleQuilt.com/donate for details.
How you’re making a difference

Linda Robinson of Bedford, Texas, started making pillowcases with the Tuesday
Peacemaker Quilters at Wm C. Martin United Methodist Church earlier this
year. She quickly was hooked and, in memory of her mother, decided to make
pillowcases for the residents of the care facility where her niece, Mindy Taylor,
works in Waco, Texas. Mindy provided residents’ names and favorite themes
and colors. Linda and her daughter, Shelli Mosteller, shopped for fabrics. Linda
then assembled the pillowcases and used her new embroidery machine to
personalize each one with the corresponding resident’s name. Mindy reports
that the residents love the results!
2020 SPONSORS

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Quantum Stylist | 9960

24 FRONT & CENTER

38 creative take on wreaths—not a single

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A candy shop color scheme creates a contemporary take on a sweet, classic

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A tree decorated with pieces inspired by Mother Nature’s

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“I break out the

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1 DINING ROOM TREE I (page 13)

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For Resources, see page 96.

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Fire & Frost

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EMILY USES FOOD

BAKING IS HER SUPERPOWER TINY CANVASES

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EDIBLE SNOW GLOBES

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For Resources, see page 96.

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GETTING A LITTLE FRESH

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