Elemental holiday decor

Decorating the great indoors

This holiday season, add some warmth to your home by bringing the outdoors in. Natural elements are one of the most popular decorating trends, and the best news is that you can access many of these elements for free.

“We’re lucky to be living in Manitoba, because most of us can do a fair bit on our own, working with the things around us — birch bark, twigs, greenery — it’s the little touches that really make a difference, that really delight and surprise,” says Jan Regehr, owner of Pineridge Hollow. “If you contrast these natural touches with something that has glitter or bling, you get a great look. The contrast of dull and shine is fabulous. The way things catch the light is important.”

Decorating homes for the holidays is Regehr’s specialty. Pineridge Hollow, a destination location set on six acres, has several rooms full of everything you could possibly want for your home décor—including furniture, linens, and artwork.

Each year, the company does a Holiday Home Tour, where they decorate four homes for the season and donate some of the profits to Habitat for Humanity.

One opportunity to show off your seasonal style that people often neglect is the outside of their homes, Regehr says.

“Make sure your entrance way is welcoming. You have to use big elements outside, or they just disappear,” she adds. “You want to really reflect the indoor space with your decorating, or reflect the person using the space.”

If you have $200 to spend on holiday décor after obtaining your Christmas tree, Regehr recommends purchasing a few items to enhance your front door or walk.

One of the simplest but most effective items is the berry pick — these 18- or 20-inch long branches with big red berries can be displayed outside in pots or hanging baskets.

“Berry picks have great impact, and you can also work in natural cedar branches and twigs,” she says. “They add a little touch of colour and festivity, and they can last all winter long. Always include a little bit of fresh.”

She suggests flexible bows for enhancing a white picket fence. With your remaining funds, consider adding more ornaments to your Christmas tree, following the natural trend. Most of these ornaments can be purchased for little expense. Pineridge Hollow carries feathered birds for $2 each, and sells 12 snowflake ornaments in white or silver for $10.

Children’s toys, such as train sets, can add charm and whimsy to a holiday scene when placed underneath the tree among the presents.

“As long as you have a number of elements that are consistent on your tree — 12 or 15 — you can add in other ornaments and still keep it tied together with the same theme,” says Regehr. “Christmas is a sentimental season — you want to keep the items that have meaning to you.”

For an economical way to add warmth to your kitchen, she suggests mounting a favourite Christmas recipe on a mini easel on your counter. Consider placing holiday dishes, teapots, or greenery around the recipe to make a small display.

Make your bathrooms more inviting to holiday guests by adding candlelight. Regehr recommends inexpensive glass hurricanes, which are available in this season’s hottest shade: a coppery brown.

“Lighting is so big at Christmas time. You should always consider your lighting, but you don’t have to decorate every room in the house,” she says. “Hurricanes are absolutely stunning, and reasonably priced as well.”

One material that is perfect for a more rustic look is also relatively inexpensive.

“Burlap is used in decorating all the time. You can use it as a tree skirt, or as a table cloth or table runner,” says Regehr. Many tree ornaments are available in burlap as well.

Don’t be afraid to be creative. Any well-loved fabric can be used as a tree skirt, including an old quilt.

If you have a decorating budget of $500, Regehr advises investing in more ornaments for your tree.

“Some classic elements are worth the investment because you’ll use them year after year,” she says. One of her favourite classics is matte red ball ornaments, about six inches in diameter. Choose larger ornaments in order to make a dramatic statement.

For some glitter and shine that lasts all winter long, hang pretty snowflakes in your windows with ribbon.

“Snowflakes are a winter thing, not a Christmas thing. They’re pretty, classic, and they can stay up all winter,” says Regehr.

If you have a stairwell or mantle, consider investing in a beautiful garland that can be used each year.

“With a garland, you can also work in some natural elements. We sell pinecones and sugar cones that be tied into the garland,” Regehr adds. “You can layer in cedar branches for the holidays, and then people think your entire garland is real. These can also stay up all winter long, if you like.”

Garlands aren’t just for stairwells — they also add fullness and a finishing touch to the Christmas tree.

“Garlands can be made up of anything from tiny balls to pearls to silvery twigs. Invest in some sort of element that’s going to add dimension to the tree,” says Regehr. “You can also use cedar or berry picks in your tree for added dimension.”

If you’re able to splurge with a decorating budget of $1,000, you can add linens in your favourite holiday colours.

“Stick with one colour theme that ties your home together. The same colour can be utilized in table linens, dishes, and cushions,” Regehr says. “One of the tones I’m seeing a lot of is blends of browns and grays together, in keeping with the natural theme. We also do a lot of pewter and burnished silver accents at this time of year.”

A non-traditional choice for a holiday colour is teal. These soft, blue-green tones are inspired by peacock feathers, which are also making a big appearance in holiday décor this year.

“Home décor definitely follows fashion, and feathers are big this year,” adds Regehr.

Strings of lights can be added to shrubs and small trees in front of your home for a festive touch. Silicone lights with brown cords are now available

. “The brown string camouflages with the branches of shrubs much better than the green strings or white strings did,” Regehr explains. “Great lighting is really important.”

Consider temporarily replacing your artwork with pieces that reflect the beauty of the season. Pineridge Hollow carries many pictures that depict winter scenes and holiday charm.

With a larger budget, you can even add another tree to a bedroom, kitchen counter, or children’s room, or invest in additional outdoor elements.

“Hanging baskets with fresh greens and berries add so much to the outside of your home. With the scent of the cedar and pine, you’re hitting all the senses,” says Regehr.

Whatever your budget, the same basic rules apply: pay attention to your lighting, add a seasonal element to your front entrance way, and keep in mind that small touches can make all the difference.

For more information, please visit www.pineridgehollow.com