Monthly Archives: December 2014

Beautiful Holiday Tablescape Ideas

We are dashing through the web, loading our browser’s cache,
over the blogs we go, pinning all the way….
to bring you beautiful holiday tablescapes!

These memorable centerpieces will set the tone for your holiday festivities and draw “Cheers!” from your guests.

To decorate like a pro, we recommend starting with a theme and then creating your tablescape around that concept focusing on one or two colors. If you want to add a third hue, do so sparingly so the table doesn’t get too busy.

Presenting presents! For an easy, yet impactful holiday tablescape, wrap boxes with moss, beautiful ribbon, metallic wrapping paper — your only limit is your imagination! Small presents for each setting also serve double duty: impactful decor and a thoughtful gifts for your guests to remember the occasion. Wine charms, ornaments, hot chocolate or USB thumb drives loaded with your favorite holiday tunes are just a few ideas for favors.

The_Lettered_Cottage_Tablescapes_For_Christmas

Photo: The Lettered Cottage

House Beautiful Vintage Holiday Centerpiece

Photo: House Beautiful

BeechTree Photography

Bright idea: Transform your existing light fixture to add whimsy or drama to your table. Ornaments, ribbon and fishing line are all you need to achieve these looks:

Real Simple Overhead Opulence

Photo: Real Simple

Modern Living

Photo: 212concept

Branch out this season! To add height to your display, spray paint branches and hang them overhead with jute rope from removable adhesive hooks on the ceiling. Or arrange branches in vases and decorate with glass icicles, lightweight ornaments or small frames with family photos.

branch with birds

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

lily pad cottage christmas tablescape

Photo: The Lily Pad Cottage

digs digs charming winter centerpieces

Photo: digsdigs.com

House of Smiths Holiday Tablescapes

Photo: The House of Smiths

A stop at Candy Cane Lane. The traditional red and white angular stripes are the perfect source for tablescape inspiration. Incorporated candy canes or sticks into your centerpiece or a simple wide ribbon down the middle of your table.

stone walk kitchen candy cane flower centerpiece

Photo: Stonewalk Kitchen

Modern Living & Design Christmas Candy Cane centerpiece

Photo: 212concept

french setting French Larkspur

Photo: French Larkspur

 

Bringing the outside in. Whether your style is rustic or refined, incorporating fruit, nuts, pine cones, flowers or greens into your holiday tablescape is a simple and affordable and option for creating a “wow” entertaining moment.

AO at home christmas tablescape

Photo: AO at Home

Partridge in a Pear Tree Crate and Barrel Christmas

Photo: Crate and Barrel

 

tulips and pinecones

Photo: Midwest Living

Cinnamon sticks holiday tablescapes

Photo: Just Imagine

Better Homes and Gardens christmas tree centerpiece

Photo: Better Homes and Gardens

rustic

Photo: Home Talk

Sweet Something Design Outdoor Christmas Tablescape

Photo: Sweet Something Design

finding_home_online_cranberry_vase

Photo: Finding Home Online

We hope that our roundup of beautiful holiday tablescape ideas provides inspiration while you are decking the halls!

Seasons greetings from your friends at Interior Transformation.

Unique and Affordable Gift Ideas

News flash: interior designers love to shop! We thrive on the thrill of the hunt for that perfect statement piece that looks like it was specifically made for our client’s home. This holiday season, we hand-picked unique and affordable gift ideas for everyone on your list. Like our interior designs, our gift ideas combine fun and functionality.

For the home

Anywhere FireplacesAnywhere Fireplaces
Cozy up on the couch or relax in your bedroom with an Anywhere Fireplace. These pieces emanate rich heat without soot, vents or gas lines and the dancing orange flames effortlessly replicate a wood-burning fireplace without giving off dangerous chemicals. $89 to $300

Tahari throwTahari Metallic Cable Knit Throw
Soft and cozy for watching TV, but will still look elegant when left on the couch! $25

For the young at heart – or age!

gameboyRetro Gameboy iPhone Case
Perfect for stuffing a stocking full of nostalgia! $15

520_deckstool_seatDeckstool Recycled Skateboard Stool
Incredibly strong and surprisingly comfortable, every 18” deckstool is created with real broken skateboards and held together by a skateboard truck. The deckstool is made from real recycled broken skateboards. Check out their website for excellent gifts for a skater or fans of reuse and modern design.  $250

PlayTapePlayTape Roads & Rails
Why wasn’t this invented when our boys were younger? PlayTape is the fastest, best way to creatively build roads and rails for playing with toy cars and trains. Like painter’s tape, it sticks to any flat surface, is easy to tear, repositionable, easily removed with no residue and is recyclable! $8 to $10.

catalogv1_maxiscreations_1Max’s Creations: Mug with a Hoop
We love this story: 12-year-old Max Ash, the brainchild behind Max’s Creations, made his first Mug With a Hoop during art class when he was just eight years old. Originally intended for shooting marshmallows into hot cocoa, this mug brings game time fun to everything from berries and cereal to oyster crackers and soup. Max happens to be dyslexic and his patent pending idea showcases the upside of kids who learn differently. Max’s Creations is donating 5% of the profits from the sale of his mugs to charities that support dyslexia research and awareness. $24

polaroid-socialmatic-1Polaroid Socialmatic Camera
How fun is this? Old-school Polaroid camera that prints instantly but you can post your images on social media! The Socialmatic combines the nostalgic appeal of vintage Polaroid instant print cameras with the ability to share using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi and Android interface.  Start by snapping your best shots with the 14-megapixel forward-facing and 2-megapixel user-facing cameras, and then instantly print (with zero ink!) physical photos and/or share them online via the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It features a desktop-grade Internet browser and email client, as well as built-in GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for geo-tagging and remote printing. Orders are being taken now on Amazon with shipping starting on January 1. $299

For her

Jewelry bowlTall Pedestal Jewelry Bowl
This handmade pedestal ceramic jewelry bowl stores and showcases 20 to 25 pairs of earrings in the holes around the rim, while the interior holds bracelets, rings and other treasured adornments. Perfect for her nightstand. $52

BangeesBanjees Wrist Wallets
Whether you walk, run, shop or travel, the Wrist Wallet is the extra pocket you wish you had to hold your smartphone, keys and cash and credit cards. There are a wide range of styles and options for everyone on the go along with fleece gloves with storage compartments.

Designhype-Chicago-Metro-Cuff-black-large_grandeChicago Metro Cuffs
This company made its first cuff bracelet of the NYC subway system because a friend was having some trouble getting around the city using her huge fold-out map. Voila – now CTA riders can wear the map on their wrists. (Yes, it’s even licensed by the CTA.) Available in other cities, too. $37

For him

keysmartKeySmart
Smaller than a pack of gum, KeySmart is a compact key holder designed to neatly and comfortably fit in your pocket. No bulk and not one jingle or jangle. $20.

Pangeabrands_chicago_blackhawks_sandwich_mark_grandePangea Brands Waffle and Sandwich Grill with Sports Logo
Make breakfast, lunch or dinner with your favorite pro football, hockey or baseball team! They also offer sport team branding tools for grilling hot dogs and hamburgers. $40

golf_comp_s__43886.1412700412.702.702Mancrates
These swag kits assemble themed collections of treats for guys — ranging in concept from outdoor survivalist to beer connoisseur to meat lover, etc.  They stuff the crates with snacks, gadgets, gear and video games, seal them up tight and ship them with a crowbar. (Ammo cans also available!) Starts at $25

Please share:

Top 10 Do’s & Don’ts for Accessorizing Your Home

“Have nothing in your house
that you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful.”
~William Morris

Creating a theme or style in your home can be accomplished by thoughtful choices and placement of accessories. But where do you begin? Our designers share their pro advice on the top 10 do’s and don’ts for selecting and arranging your home accessories:

1) Do add texture with area rugs, pillows, lampshades and window treatments to create visual interest.

Adding interesting texture with Silver Urn Lamp from GlobalViews.com

Adding interesting texture with Silver Urn Lamp from GlobalViews.com

2) Don’t be afraid to add in color — even if it’s unexpected. Use artwork, a pillow or side table to add that pop of color and then add a few additional items in the space with the same color. But don’t overdo it. There is no need to have the color everywhere.

pop of color

Adding an unexpected pop of color. Source: Houzz

3) Do use the “Rule of Three” to group your accessories such as displaying three vases of varying heights or three pillar candles. Arrange a grouping on a decorative tray to create an interesting focal point.

A Group of Three Book Birds from GlobalViews.com

A flock of three Book Birds from GlobalViews.com

4) Don’t forget about maintenance. If you don’t have endless amounts of time or money to pay someone to dust, items with small crevices and excessive ornamentation will only collect dust if not cleaned on a regular basis. Smooth edges and bigger pieces are easier to maintain.

5) Don’t hang your artwork too high. Pictures, paintings, mirrors and other wall hangings should be hung at eye level.

artwork

Artwork gallery source: Crate and Barrel

6) Do think about scale when selecting home accessories.  Displaying a bunch of small items on a large piece of furniture will appear busy and cluttered. Use one, two or three larger pieces that complement each other.

7) Don’t over-accessorize as this can make a room feel cluttered and overwhelming. Instead, choose fewer pieces that make an impact and reflect your style.

home decor

Simply beautiful and impactful. Source: ElleDecor.com

8) Do layer your décor in this order: furniture, wall then accessories. It’s okay if the accessories overlap the wall art as long as the overall view isn’t obstructed. Try to isolate the areas of your space into small vignettes when arranging accessories like you are preparing for a photo shoot.

A framed Countryside map is hung eye level above the Taggart Console Table from Uttermost.com

Time-traveller vignette from Uttermost.com

9) Do play with a variety of shapes that all work well together without being matchy. Mix round with square, rectangular with three-dimensional shapes, or tall and chunky with medium and slender. Don’t be afraid to play with accessories at the showroom or store to make sure you like them all together.

style

Combining shapes and sizes creates interest. Source: Crate and Barrel

10) Do buy more than you need — just hold on to your receipts! If you are shopping at multiple stores, be aware of their return policies. Sometimes what looks great online or on a shelf will not work once you bring it home. By having several options on-hand, you can see what works in scale with your existing furniture and colors. But remember to edit and keep what you find to be useful and beautiful!

Venice-inspired Manhattan apartment thoughtfully combines scale, color and layers of accessories. Featured on Elledecor.com