Festive Christmas Napkin Ideas

Red-and-White Natural Place Setting
This casual place setting shows that simple can be beautiful. Its personality starts with a classic, cleverly folded pocket napkin stuffed with a sprig of evergreen. Add artfully arranged silverware, an inexpensive off-white place mat, layered red and white dishes, and a frame of grapevine twigs -- all on a table runner cut from bargain burlap.

Golden Leaf Napkin Ring Warm up white china with touches of gold that don't cost a mint. A floral dinner plate and gold silverware gathered in a white cloth napkin with a leafy napkin ring look festive for the holidays. Look for shapely napkin rings at a Christmas-supply store or make your own by hot-gluing a snowflake charm to a plain napkin ring.

Evergreen-and-Ornament Napkin Display Top the napkin at each place setting on your holiday table with a sprig of greenery and a petite ornament ball for a beyond-easy embellishment. Cinch the napkin with sheer colorful ribbon to hold the branch and ornament.

Tip: Use what you have to achieve this look -- snip the greenery from your Christmas tree or an evergreen in your garden, and use leftover ribbon from your gift-wrap stash

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Decorate with mirrors to increase space perception.

Decorative Mirrors

 

A mirror in the bathroom or in the living room will increase light and space perception.

Use mirrors to open up a space and make it look larger and make sure that the mirror is reflecting something appealling to look at , an attractive chandelier in the living room, an attractive landscape, which will bring the vibrant energy of a garden...

Mirrors have many curative uses. Mirrors should never distort or cut into the image of a person...

Mirrors are useful in small spaces where they apparently double the size of the area. Large mirrors will make a room feel much larger.

Increase the light

They are also useful in dark spaces where you want to reflect as much of the available light back into the the room as possible. This applies to basement apartments or a room that only receives northern light.You may be able to strategically place a mirror so that natural light from a window is reflected back into a dark area of the room or a stagnant corner.

At Distinctively Home Interiors we have mirrors to fit that perfect space!  Visit our website to view our bling!


Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Intern

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Candles To Set a Mood in Your Home

Candles make your room decor special!  Set a special mood that says home and comfort with candles. Candles set a mood in your room that cannot be duplicated with any other medium. Shimmering candle light can say romance, it can say formality, or it can say comfort.  To bring intimate warmth to the decor of every room in your home, add candles.  The subtle gentle light, pleasing aromas, and vast selection of colors and shapes enhance every decorating theme.   

 

In the living or dining area, tall tapers achieve formality.  However, using a different shape can equally say homey and cozy.  Whether your decorating style is traditional and formal or country and casual, your look can be enhanced with candles.  Try a grouping of candles reflected in a mirror or other shiny surface for a really impressive look. At Distinctively Home we have candles and holders of all kinds!  Visit our store for your perfect fit.  http://www.distinctivelyhome.com. 

How To Decorate With Zebra Print

How To Decorate With Zebra Print

Animal prints are commonly used in home decor and zebra is one of them. The monochromatic colors and interesting pattern make it a great accent in the decor. Zebra print comes with many different products from rugs and throw pillows to lamps, sinks and even bathtubs.

Mixing With Colors

Zebra print looks good in almost any color scheme. In neutral interiors zebra accents add detail to the room while in colorful rooms a black and white zebra print looks more neutral and yet brings patterned accent into the decor. Use a zebra-printed lamp, stool or rug in the colorful room to make it look even more interesting. Zebra print also comes in different colors so it can fit into the color scheme but still add pattern accent to it.

Mixing With Patterns

Mixing zebra with other patterns is possible and even more so makes for an interesting decor. Zebra goes well with stripes, certain florals, polka dot, and checkered patterns. Mix and match different prints and patterns to see what suits best for the decor.

Surfaces

Decorating surfaces with zebra print can be challenging as bigger surfaces covered with zebra print can be overpowering. Use the print sparcely and only on one wall. For a bigger impact you can use zebra curtains and carpets in the decor since they are not that overwhelming. If you still want a zebra wall think about zebra-printed headboard, artwork, or not very busy zebra-printed wallpaper pattern.



Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
Marketing and Media Specialist
Distinctively Home Interiors
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Decorating with Throw Pillows

Decorating with Throw Pillows

1. Arrangement. For eclectic or modern decor, group accent pillows in sets of odd numbers: use three, five or seven pillows in a room. Using asymmetrical groups is a common interior design rule for nontraditional decor; the room will feel more visually balanced. Vary the pillows' size and pattern. If you want a more traditional, symmetrical look, use even numbers.
   
2. Size and shape. Vary the shapes and sizes of throw pillows. Standard pillows measure 18 inches by 18 inches. Add a contrasting shape or size into a pillow grouping for additional interest. Large pillows can make a statement in a room; choose one or two with fringe, tassels and trim for additional character. For example, place an oblong pillow in the center of a couch or a round pillow on a side chair.
   
3. Fabric. Vary your throw pillows' textures and textiles for a rich yet subtle mix. Use fabrics from plush velvets to smooth silks. Mix and match pillows: pair stripes and plaids together or combine solid and floral designs.
   
4. Color. Choose pillow colors by looking at fabric, artwork and other accents in the room. Decide on a common accent color and match the color to a paint swatch. Use the swatch to compare different pillows when browsing online. Pillows do not need to be an exact match. Some slight variation adds natural contrast and interest to the room. Add the accent color in a few other areas, including accessories, lampshades and other items of home decor.
   
5. Storage. Put a decorative basket or storage bin in the room for holding accent pillows when they're not being used. For example, set a wicker basket behind the couch to toss pillows in while entertaining in the living room. Or hide pillows when they're not needed by keeping them in a plastic bin placed underneath the bed. The storage area keeps pillows fresh and clean.
   
   Posted by Joanne Vanderhoef
   Marketing and Media Specialist
   
   http://www.distinctivelyhome.com
   
   
   

Kitchen Decorating Ideas for Above the Cabinets

The space above the cabinets can sometimes be wasted so adding some decorative elements will add interest. Keep the items that you use on the large scale and not bother with a lot of little things because they will make it look too cluttered and will only need to be dusted.
First check to see if you cabinets are flatted or recessed. If they are recessed, you may have to build the base of your cabinets up a bit with old books to be able to show off your decorative items.

• Consider urns, baskets, bowls, oversize plates and platters, vintage cookie jars, rocking horses and anything nostalgic or that has an intriguing design or shape, and that captures your imagination. 
•  Play around with the placement on the counter before you try putting them in place. Turn some of your things on their side for added interest to your composition. Add greenery to soften any hard edges and add drama with soft accent lighting.
  
  Distinctively Home Interiors, Battle Ground WA.  http://www.distinctivelyhome.com

Decorating and Accenting with the color RED!

At Distinctively Home Interiors we have man wonderful RED accents to add warmth to any room. From lipstick to paint - there are enough hues to suite any taste and it's adventurous spirit will never go out of style. 

 

Create a lasting backdrop

Trends may shift, but a traditional red is sure to last. A classic RED shade is just the thing for those with changing tastes.

Grab attention

Bright red captivates and immediately catches the eye. Use that to your advantage by showcasing prized possessions with a backdrop in the hue.

Create contrast

For a bold contrast, pair one strong other color to compliment your red pieces. 

In Between Season Decorating

From January through April, we tend to see a lot of ideas for how to decorate for Valentines Day, then St. Patrick’s Day and then Easter. Lots of cute ideas! But what if you don’t really like overt themes or it is past Valentine’s Day and maybe too early for your bunnies? 

How DO you decorate when you aren’t quite feeling ready for full spring decorating but a snowy winter mantel or table-scape feels a bit out of place too?

Add hints of life and bits of spring! Some branches, a few springy flowers, some plants and maybe some moss. At Distinctively Home Interiors we have all kinds of items to accent your decorating ideas.  From Vases to Accent Furniture we have a variety of decor for you to choose from.  

Why not add some newly budded spring branches to one of our tall standing vases?  Arrange staggered amidst a scrunched table runner, throw in a few light candles and you have a stunning, new look for your table!  Visit us today for some pre-spring decorating ideas.