DIY decorating diva Nancy Golden is going Christmas shopping for real: she's visiting a store devoted exclusively to Yuletide! Stores of this nature are great sources of design inspiration: they sell everything from individual ornaments to fully decorated trees. Here are a few of Golden's discoveries:- Trees -- and more trees! If you want to go with an artificial tree for Christmas, your choices are legion: traditional natural-looking trees in a variety of types, from pine and fir to balsam and cedar. And you don't have to settle for the usual triangular form -- there are Christmas topiaries, "feather" trees, you name it! If it exists in nature, then you can probably find it in one of these fascinating stores!
If a nontraditional tree is more to your liking, retro-style flocked trees are available, as are fiber-optic trees. Fiber-optic trees feature built-in lights that twinkle and change color, and some of the trees themselves rotate, so there's the possibility of a wide range of colors and movement.The "more is more" decorated tree features so many ornaments, we'll just have to take Golden's word that the tree is really in there! Dressed in a dazzling range of gold and amber shades, the tree also showcases flocked white magnolia blossoms for softness and ribbons in leopard and oversize toile prints. The finished look: traditional yet very sophisticated!A cowboy-themed tree adds a touch of the West to Christmas festivities. The imaginatively decorated tree sports some of the usual trappings of the season but also features a real bridle and whip, swags of fencing, bandanna-and-gingham ribbons, raffia -- and strings of chili-pepper lights!The ultimate pastel tree fairly floats in the room. A combination of soft pinks and greens, the tree's decor is enhanced by the addition of rows of crystal garlands, as well as more crystal in the form of delicate ornaments that reflect and refract the light. Generous applications of French wired ribbon and pink marabou feathers help carry out the ethereal theme of this feminine, elegant tree.Themed lights can enhance -- or even inspire -- your seasonal decorating. Lights come in an array of shapes, sizes and colors nowadays, everything from bells and grapes to Qz-inspired ruby slippers and -- for the DIYer in your life -- tiny tools!So when it comes to decorating, let your imagination soar this holiday season. You can decorate your home to suit just about anything that's special to you: a hobby, a movie -- or just a love of creating something unique and all your own!
RESOURCES :
Country Christmas
Websites: www.countrychristmasonline.com and www.longdisplay.com
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