We’ve all been there and done that when it comes to holiday decorations.
Each November and December, we climb into the attic or back closet, wipe off the dusty boxes, search through its contents and place the same decorations in the same places. Instead of holiday hype, we create déjà vu doldrums.
Local interior designer Mary Baude wants you to step out of the repetitious cycle and add more style and substance to your home this holiday season. Baude earned a college degree in computer information systems. “However, my passion was nowhere near computers,” Baude says with a laugh.
After stops in Ohio and Colorado, she settled in Medina and followed what enthused her. She started an interior design company out of her home, but was having trouble finding furniture and accessories she wanted to use in her designs. She opened Willows Home to provide the goods that met her style of “traditional with a trendy element.”
This holiday, she wants you to hold onto your traditions—the keepsake ornaments and homemade stockings—but add some new flair or techniques to rekindle your inner Yule log for decorating.
Expert Need Not Apply
Rule No. 1 is there are no rules. Baude believes every homeowner can create exciting new holiday looks: “It’s all what you think has a nice style.”
Start With the Tree and Expand
Holiday decorating often begins with the tree, so don’t look at the whole room as the canvas. Start with the tree stand, work up the branches and then branch out. “Have a theme and bring it out into the rest of the home,” Baude explains.
Make it Multiple Trees
“The first one goes on the main level of my home,” Baude says. “I want that one to be more elegant and stylish, more adult-like. For the lower level, or the second area, depending how your home is organized, do something more kid-friendly. The reds and whites, the candy canes. Maybe lollipops and woven mittens.” Candy cane ornaments from Willows Home start at $5
Try a Tree in the Foyer
A unique concept is to put a tree at the front door. Greet guests with some of the holiday spirit glimmering from over your shoulder. “I have plopped trees down in the middle of foyer,” Baude says. “It’s different and fun.”
Organize the Ornaments
Take that pile of ornaments stuffed in the storage box and give it some order.
“I try to theme the ornaments,” Baude explains. “If I’m working for someone and they have two containers filled with ornaments — and assuming that they are OK with this, of course — I will go through and find the ones that work well together. Put them on the first tree, and the more random ones on the second tree.”
Individual ornaments at Willows range from $8 to $30, with most at about $15.
The New Black?
Step out of traditional colors by heading Baude’s advice on the new “in” color: “I really love turquoise this year.”
Whatever color you choose, stay consistent, Baude reminds: “Whatever it is, bring it out consistently throughout.”
Turquoise and silver cross ornaments at Willows are $15.
Go Artificial
Everyone is going green, but you want to stay clean. Use wreaths, garland and trees of the artificial variety. “Otherwise, I find it to be a big hassle,” Baude says. “What I do instead is find stems that look real. I want long needles and pine combs. … For the tree, I try to add more artificial stems to make it look more natural.”
Important: Tree Height
“It depends on your space, but I think more dramatic,” Baude says. “If you have a tall ceiling, go tall and thin to draw your eyes all the way up. You want to create some drama in the room. Know the space, though. You don’t want to make it too tight and create traffic issues for a month or two.”
Don’t Forget About…
Next to the tree and the dining table, the fireplace is the next most important focal point. “Especially if you can see your fireplace from the dining room table,” Baude says. “It’s the natural focal point of rooms, so treat it that way.”
Can We Eat This?
In the dining room, remain cognizant that you are gathered around the table to eat and not only observe the decoration. “People have to eat, too,” Baude says. “Have most of the decorations in the center, so people have space and for the setting and the glassware.”
Center the Table
Just like starting at the tree, begin at the center of your table. Give it some height with beaded and glittery two-foot trees, tall cream magnolias or white santas. “I focus with these winter white santas in the middle and expand to use cream or white for the rest of the table,” Baude says.
Decorative tabletop trees at Willows range from $14 to $30.
Nature’s Touch
If you go artificial, Baude says to bring in a natural element where it’s not expected: “I think a nice touch is to have placemats of real wood, birch or aspen [shavings].”
Impress Simply
One pitfall Baude sees all too often is too many small decorations.
“Add large accessories,” she says. “I go into a lot of homes. They say they decorated for Christmas, and they have all of these tiny little things everywhere. I think it creates more drama if you have one, two or three big pieces and really draw off of that.”
Stay Confident
Again, you can do this. “It doesn’t take a lot to create that celebration or excitement,” Baude says. “Add some greenery. Pick and choose your existing accessories, and you can have a celebration in your home.”
Find Your Décor Locally
308 Clydesdale Trail
763.478.9930
13708 83rd Way N
763.420.7673
15825 95th Ave. N.
763.416.9663
12225 Elm Creek Blvd.
763.425.4002
7889 Main Street North
763.773.4663
12183 Elm Creek Blvd. N.
763.416.2001
