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Creative Touches
Linens: We're not just talking about tablecloths. Linens can have a tremendous impact on the feeling of any room, adding warmth or elegance or rich color. Tablecloths, table runners, place mats, cloth napkins, quilts, bedcovers, sheets, bath towels, kitchen towels, lace doilies, dresser scarves, and just pieces of fabric, large and small, should all be part of your collection. Linens are particularly easy to find for pennies at tag and garage sales; so whenever you see something you like and can afford, buy it!Pine cones and other natural materials: Pine cones in all shapes and sizes are a quick and easy way to add a touch of nature to any arrangement or corner of your house. Pile them in their natural state for a simple, rustic look, or spray a few with gold or silver metallic paint to lend a Midas touch. Other natural materials, such as fruits (apples, oranges, and pomegranates, in particular), nuts, dried Indian corn, corn husks, wheat sheaves, moss, and so on, can all be used effectively throughout the holiday season, either in their natural state or gilded.
Pots: We like them fancy, we like them simple, we like them white porcelain, we like them shiny brass, we like them terra cotta, we like them large, and we like them small. Pots can hold plants or arrangements of dried or silk flowers; pile glass ornaments or nuts in smaller pots; set a large pot near your fireplace to hold a fragrant selection of firewood and pine cones. And don't assume a particular pot won't work for the holidays, because "it's the wrong color." Pull out everything you've got, and then see how you might use it all.
Ribbons: The decorator mainstay, adding a ribbon to a basket or pot or wreath is obvious, but you can wrap ribbons around banisters, tie bows on lamps or bedsteads, frame a doorway, gussy-up a dining table, and so much more. Buy ribbons in basic colors (red, white, green, blue, orange, and yellow) and more exotic colors (gold, silver, turquoise, hot pink, lime green) whenever you see them on sale. Always check at craft and fabric stores for sales.
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