December 1st, 2011 
Haute holiday decor anyone? With the changing of the seasons we look for the colors of fall and spring to spruce up or update our wardrobe and interiors, so too are the changing fashions that will adorn homes this holiday season. Whether your trimming the tree, considering the layout of a holiday dinner table, or pinning garland to the mantel or stairwell consider using some of the tips from the pros to freshen up your seasons scheme.
Photo courtesy:getcottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/fun-with-fall-tables.html"
So what are the trends for the 2011 holiday season? Think nature, plaids, and metallics. According to the website The Trend Curve,the international authority on color and design trends in home furnishings, “Taupe, Pewter metallic and Gray, accented with Beige and Black” is the color palette to pull inspiration from this season.
The Trend Curve also specified incorporating decorations that had an ”… urban sensibility [and ] ongoing deer motifs and a dramatic increase in plaids.” Several sites I visited discussed using the Victorian traditions of stringing popcorn and adding dried fruit to wreaths, garlands and trees.
Photo courtsey: www.motherearthsgarden.com
People magazine’s holiday 2011 issue was chocked full of festive decor concepts. Bronson van Wyck, a New York based environmental and event production designer, demonstrated how to execute a table setting using a plaid table runner, whitedishes, antler accents, and birch candles. Van Wyck advised to keep a neutral palette on the table to showcase the food.
Yifat Oren illustrated this in the issue using snake skin trays, glass bottles silver accents mixed with white and metallic linens and for that natural element a wooden cutting board. HGTV’s Sabrina Soto says mercury glass ornaments are huge this year creating sparkle when lights shine in their metallic surface. For you DIYers consider giving old ornaments new life by spray painting your baubles, wreaths, and candle sticks.
Photo Credit: HGTV.com
To break it down:
Tree/ Wreaths and Garlands - Look for bird, deer or other animal ornaments and silver and gold hued trimmings. Also string popcorn and dried fruit to bring nature in.
Centerpieces- Instead of floral arrangements place deer, snowmen or natural candles.
