Fresh greenery, tapestries, themes popular this holiday season

There is something special about the holiday season that brings out the interior decorator in us. This year, there are some exciting holiday decorating trends that are destined to capture the attention of us wannabe interior designers.

Before you break out the storage boxes, professionals suggest picking a theme for your home’s holiday decor. Sticking with a particular decorating theme not only looks better but provides a continuous holiday flow throughout a room, making it especially nice on the eyes.

In the mood for angels or fairies to display in your home this season? Look no further than Lavender Dreams (119 North Main, Suite A) for those items. This charming shop contains fanciful fairy ornaments and expressive angel tree decorations.

“We also carry fairy and angel sculptures that can be [used] both indoors and outdoors,” said owner Melissa Ross. “I carry a lot of unique sculptures year-round but a lot more during Christmas time.”

Although the use of dramatic colors – such as silver, red and black – is still seen during the holidays, it appears that Mother Nature has provided an even greater inspiration this year. The tones of traditional colors are earthier. Hues of rich reds and deep olive greens in ribbons and candles easily beautify the mixture of cranberries, pinecones, fresh holly and garland.

Whatever colors you choose, branch out with those colors in throws and pillows to accentuate that holiday feel in your rooms.

At Home on Main (136 North Main) has these types of lovely accent pieces, and so much more, to bring the holiday cheer into your home, said owner Marie Kinnaman.

The flicker of holiday-scented candles always makes for wonderful ambiance during the winter months.

“People really enjoy anything that smells like a tree,” said Kinnaman. “We also have beautiful handmade holiday candles such as Christmas trees and Santa Claus.”

Kinnaman and her staff have made international buying trips throughout the year to secure many unique gift items for this year’s shoppers.

This season, holiday tapestries are making a huge comeback. Depending on the theme you choose, there are a variety of designs including everything from Santa Claus, angels and snowmen to teddy bears, Christmas trees and breathtaking winter wonderland scenes.

A tapestry is another focal decorating point that can add dimension to your decor.

Artificial Christmas trees are still quite popular this year, but adding fresh pine pieces to the home is a sure way to enchant the family and keep the experience nostalgic.

“We will be providing fresh holiday wreaths, which is a great way to bring in the scent of a pine tree that you don’t have,” said Sheri Mahr, owner of Sheri’s Flowers. These wreaths can be made to order and easily customized to fit any holiday theme.

Charming fresh centerpieces are another way to ring in the season and give your table holiday flair.

“We can certainly make any arrangements or centerpieces for any home,” said Kerry Doney, florist at Major Market. Whether the customer favors a contemporary style or traditional, Doney and her staff have the talent to create floral masterpieces.

Doney says she enjoys working on holiday centerpieces because it brings the fragrances of the outdoors into a home.

In addition to a festive front door mat, a special, warm welcome for visitors is a pre-lit topiary or small pine tree in a gold or silver pot displayed on your front porch or in the entryway.

Local experts say that when you feel all the holiday decor fixins’ have been made, look at your creation from a distance. If any item(s) appears odd or out of place, reposition it elsewhere or remove it completely.

If you have the time, don’t forget to add that extra holiday charm by positioning fresh garland around a particular theme collection or atop your fireplace mantle.

Now that you’ve made your home festive and special, sit back and enjoy the holidays!