Holiday In Your House
Decorating your home this time of year may be a holiday tradition, but that doesn't mean you have to do the same thing year after year.
The Early Show's resident decor expert, Colin Cowie, has ideas designed to help you to deck your halls in an "Inspired Home" segment.
Cowie suggests that you think beyond flowers. Think, instead, about what color scheme you want to use and find elements of nature that are unexpected. Plums, apples and pears are good options (and not so expensive). Then, if you wish, you can add purple carnations and other fresh flowers on the day of your party.
Consider candles. Says Cowie, "I always love candles because they make us all look more beautiful, plus they make the ambiance seem more elegant."
On The Early Show, he demonstrated how to create a "candlescape" on a fireplace mantle. (He says it's easy to do and it can make a dramatic impact.) When you make a candlescape, you can use all the same colors, or use combinations, as he did on the show.
First, you start off with a variety of candles and votives; the idea is to have different sizes, shapes and textures. Cowie likes to have three different heights of candles (low, medium and tall), in addition to the votives.
Contrasts in color can be interesting. For example, if you're using purples and lavenders, you should have some shiny, some light, some matte, some bright. You also might tie ribbon around some candles to give another layer of texture. You want to mix it up but ensure that it all works together.
For the placement, start with the big candles and place them where you want them. Next, use the medium candles and then the smaller candles, and place them throughout. Why start with the biggest items? That way, you're sure you have enough room for them.
Once the candles are arranged, add some greens to give it that holiday feel. After that, you can add in different ornaments and things like carnations and sugared fruits.
And if you are using holiday wreaths, you can surprise your friends with different colors. "I love to pick a color and incorporate it into my holiday décor every year," says Cowie, "and each year, you can change it and that way you always keep it exciting."
For some of his wreaths, Cowie puts a mirror in the middle to provide yet another element of surprise.
This year, the color is purple. To make your wreath distinctive, you can just pop some fresh flowers into the wreath the day of your holiday party or when you have friends come over.
Cowie carries the same concept over to the tree, where he includes flowers among his ornaments.
For much more from Colin Cowie, go to his Web site.
Here are some places to look for the things Cowie used on The Early Show: