As the holiday season settles into the recent past, leaving us with happy memories recorded in our minds and on digital cameras and computers, we can look forward to a quieter time as well as a quieter décor. While it is nice to pull out all our holiday decorations and trim the house and tree, I find it comforting to get back to an old décor phrase: “less is more”. It is a perfect time to assess what has been into what can be, just like when you trimmed the house a month or so ago.
I usually go with a white theme, I keep some of the candles that I had out that are white and place them around with small white accents, like the little lamb I move from place to place.
I replace evergreen wreaths with wreaths using white flowers or sprayed white with natural elements. I like to create small vignettes using the white on white theme. Buying a white amaryllis or orchid lifts my spirits, and they will last until spring.
A favorite vignette during the holiday may be adaptable without the holiday theme and its colors to white. In my case, I replaced a red cardinal with a chickadee. The bird sits in a huge snifter with a base of broken tempered glass, to simulate ice, a pine branch and a small nest, it is a small scene that can easily change with the seasons.
A monochromatic color scheme is a very restful and pleasing pallet but can be tricky unless texture is incorporated along with a reminder to scale; it need never be dull. As with most things, the best results are in the details; it is a good idea to “go shopping” in own homes to see what we have that compliments your monochromatic theme. Those who collect only things that have meaning to them and that are loved will find a treasure trove of items to choose from. Sometimes just moving things from one room to another, or even from one location to another within the same room, will give the room a lift. Of course adding a small bouquet of fresh flowers that suits your mono-color scheme will add the texture needed to help bring your room to life.
These are a few simple winter décor changes. I am a firm believer in making small changes, especially for people who claim they don’t like change. Those who try might just like what they create.