Holiday House Visit 2014

===============================================================

In the heart of a cosy home, the dining room serves as a gathering place for family throughout the day, thanks to its proximity to the food. This year, the individual has given the space a festive makeover, complete with a Christmas tree and decorations, albeit with a few areas still in need of tidying.

The Christmas tree, adorned with poinsettias and little firs, stands tall in the dining room. It's where the kids will open their Christmas presents, and it was strategically placed to keep the decorations safe from a child who tends to take them off and throw them. A deer basket, considered the best in their possession, rests nearby, adding a touch of rustic charm.

The kitchen, connected to the dining room, has been decorated as well. A wreath above the microwave boasts a candy cane heart, while an owl cookie jar and coffee cups from the Better Homes and Gardens Live Better Line adorn the shelves. The individual is particularly fond of having the Christmas tree in the dining room, but the areas are covered with school papers and coffee cups, a testament to the busy family life.

Despite the clutter, the individual was able to clean the kitchen and dining room enough to photograph it, but it only stayed clean for one day. The laundry situation, however, is a different story. A week's worth of dirty clothes is piled up in the basement, with another week's worth at the end of their bed that hasn't been folded.

The individual expresses gratitude for their visitors and wishes them a beautiful day. They are unsure about what to put in the corner of their dining room once Christmas is over and are considering building a new buffet and adding an upholstered chair.

For those looking to decorate their dining room with a Christmas tree, especially if they're working on a design in progress, here are some creative ideas:

Choose a distinctive tree color or theme, such as a white "winter wonderland" tree adorned with metallic ornaments (gold or silver) and textured elements like flocked garlands and pinecones to create a cozy, elegant feel.
Incorporate your table setting with the tree decor. For example, if you plan an elegant table setting in silver and white, add complementary touches to your tree, such as silver and white ornaments with blue accents, which can unify the room’s holiday look.
Use ribbons creatively by placing a large bow or topper first, then tucking ribbon strips down the tree to give the illusion of flowing fabric throughout, saving ribbon and adding layered texture.
Layer ornaments by size and placement. Start with large ornaments to fill spaces, add garlands (popcorn, cranberry, faux pine), then smaller shiny and matte ornaments in colors that match your color scheme for texture and depth.
Consider lighting choices that match your style and enhance the tree and dining area; monochrome lights in white or warm glow tones are versatile and can complement various ornament colors and room styles.
Add small personalized or seasonal touches such as hanging special dishware (e.g., blue flow china) on the tree or placing small festive trees or decorations on the dining table or sideboards for a cohesive layered look.

By following these ideas, you can create a festive dining room that balances elegance with creative personalization, making your holiday décor both beautiful and coherent with your ongoing design work. The individual, with plans to share more projects and recipes in the future, is certainly on the right track.

[1] Source 1 [2] Source 2 [3] Source 3 [4] Source 4

The dining room, now adorned with a distinctively colored Christmas tree and complementary ornaments, reflects the individual's ongoing interior-design project. The festive style encompasses the lifestyle of this home-and-garden enthusiast, creating a cohesive holiday set-up that blends elegance with creativity.

As the family gathers around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts, the home-and-garden elements, such as the deer basket and Better Homes and Gardens merchandise, remind them of their love for home design and lifestyle.