Holiday tips for decking your halls!
The holidays are most certainly upon us, signaling the annual need for a good spruce up at home to be sure there is a warm, welcoming atmosphere and plenty of seasonal spirit for all to enjoy.
Daniel Island-based interior decorator and designer Lorraine Vale has a sleigh-full of tips for decking the halls with style – and she shared them with members of the Daniel Island Garden Club at their November meeting. Vale offered three distinct trends for her captive audience – decorating with green, using natural neutrals, and employing a “no rules” philosophy.
Topping Vale’s list, which we’re sure she checked twice, is utilizing the 2017 Pantone Color Institute’s “Color of the Year” in decorating – “Greenery.” The fresh, yellow-green color, known as Pantone 15-0343, is described on the institute’s website as “nature’s neutral” and a “refreshing and revitalizing shade” that is “symbolic of new beginnings.”
“Every year they make 50 colors,” explained Vale, of Pantone’s color selection process. “But one will emerge as the color ahead of everything else. That happened to be ‘Greenery.’ And it’s across the board in fashion, jewelry, home décor, and (even) make-up.”
For the holidays, Vale recommends mixing green textures – magnolia, balsam, boxwood – and other things you can find right in your own yards or gardens. Add a pop of red, which Vale calls the display’s “exclamation point,” with ribbons or ornament balls to tie it all together.
“Take a bunch of kale, put it in a bowl and it’s absolutely gorgeous,” she told her captive audience. “Elegant and casual all at the same time.”
Vale’s next trend – stick to the basics with neutral tones by utilizing an approach that focuses less attention on color. It may seem like a strange way to brighten up your décor for the holidays, but the method can help you create beautiful, seasonal displays, said Vale. Using organic colors, such as beiges, greys and browns, can bring sophistication and warmth to any setting. Think natural rattan chairs, woven jute rugs, tables made of reclaimed wood, raw silks, baskets and even macramé, she added.
“The textures are the things that become the focus,” explained Vale. “…It just looks warm, cozy and inviting.”
For holiday decorating with this trend, head outdoors and gather things from your yard, such as branches, pinecones, and other items from nature. Place ornaments on the branch, spray paint pinecones or leaves in gold or silver for a centerpiece, make wreaths out of twigs, or cover Styrofoam balls in torn linen or burlap and hang those from a tree.
“It’s just a fun statement,” she said.
Vale’s last trend – buck the trends and celebrate your style in all its splendor.
“I love this trend,” said Vale. “New rule, no rules! All of the decorating rules that you’ve ever heard of are kind of thrown out the window…You need to be loose, and you need a skill to do it right. It’s almost like a child approach to decorating – when they’re not aware that there are rules! For me, it offers visual excitement.”
Vale suggests combining luxurious fabrics, such as tartans, paisleys, stripes, dots, and diamonds with “sumptuous deep velvets and printed jewel tones – and lots of colors!” Basically – just about anything goes.
“This trend appears as though nothing matches and nothing quite goes together,” she explained. “It’s clearly not for everyone and you need to be of a certain disposition that loves living in what some may call chaos! I call it ‘creative chaos’ – and to those that do live there – they call it pure joy! Because they’re surrounded by the items that they love, whether it matches or it doesn’t.”
In one example, Vale talked about a room with a tiger print on a sofa, a tartan plaid on the seats, a Persian rug on the floor, bright-colored wallpaper, different lamps, and more.
“It’s very unique and it really sets you apart and is a real reflection of your personality,” added Vale. “I think it’s whimsical and fun! So when you decorate for the holidays in this spirit – just get everything out…Decorate with abandon!”
For more examples of Vale’s decorating styles, visit her website at www.lgvale.com.