Ladybug Wreaths November News

Years ago, when I first married, I used red - yes, plain old red…..I thought everything in my home had to be red.  I don’t even remember using gold with it!  Yep, I know what you’re thinking, and yes, I have changed so much since then - it doesn’t even feel like that was me, but it was.

We all go through changes in our lives which affect our decorating tastes.  Our own personal style is affected by what we see in department stores, on television, on pages of our favorite magazines, or even just a dear friend’s home and the choices that they make during Holiday seasons.

After the period in my life where red was “the” color, I then went to burgundy and gold.  But each year as I pulled out my favorite ornaments, and there were many, they just didn’t match anymore.  So…. It was time for a change.   I made a very decisive choice that year as I allowed myself to bring every color that I love into my home.  No matter what style, shape or color, there really turned out to be a perfect “home” for each of my special “treasures”.   That was when my eye for decorating, color, and style changed forever.  This kind of style is now what you might call eclectic, but I prefer not to call it a specific style.  My home is just a “mirror” of me.  You can take a tour of my home and get to know the real me.  How many of you can say that about your surroundings?

The point that I want to get across to you today is:  don’t lock yourself into one or two or three colors, or styles.  Take a chance this year, and do something a little different.  Add many ribbons of many colors - buy large glittering tree balls from local craft and hobby stores, make special ornaments with your children and grandchildren, fill your tree with stems of flowers and fillers in many colors, pull out everything you have not used in years because it didn’t match any more, and have lots of fun!  I’m telling you, these choices can make your Christmas bright and cheery!!!

Take my word for it, you’ll be so much happier.  I am filled with so much joy by the smallest things, and color is probably at the top of the list.  My Christmas tree now has red, burgundy, blue, gold, purple, golden yellow, plus lots more.  There are now no limits, I use all of my favorite ornaments….including the special cherished ones I helped my grandmother hang on her tree.

I have huge ribbon toppers for my tree out of very colorful red, gold, purple and burgundy ribbons.  Then right in the middle of those extra large bows, I have tied another bow out of golden yellow burlap.  For these burlap bows, I went to the cloth store and bought it by the yard.  I then cut it in very wide strips and tied bowties of then - large ones!!  Two of these are on the top of my tree, another hangs from the side of the very large Christmas wreath on my front door, and then two more are anchored on the sides of the pots which hold my lighted 4 foot trees on either side of my front door.    If I like something, and it is reasonably priced (preferably from a yard sale, or flea market - tee hee hee), then it comes home with me - and yes, there will be an absolutely “perfect” spot for it.

All of my furniture in my home is interchangeable as are each of my favorite rugs.  Style and color does not keep a bedroom chair from looking great in my den.  I am now comfortable and happy in my “eclectic” home whether it is Christmas or any other season!