Holiday Decorating Inside and Outside

Get the party started before guests even step foot in your home by dressing your home’s exterior with holiday décor ranging from wreaths to stunning ice lanterns or lumeniers (depending on geography). Keep the style and color theme consistent with the interior décor for a seamless transition – giving your guests a sense of calm. What I’ve learned from my experience in visual merchandising and store design, is that the ‘transition time” (usually about 10 to 20 seconds) can create a favorable impression or an unfavorable impression.

Keep exterior decor subtle and coordinating the color and style with the interior decor. Lovely, lighted topiaries flanking the door entry are elegant and can be used throughout the year. Door wreaths, are a traditional favorite. I’ve seen gorgeous wreaths ranging from modern silver “ornament ball” style to one gracefully beaded with sea shells and yet another dressed in icy crystals.

Create conversation seating areas. Sometimes the floor plan for everyday living at home fails in the party environment. So make it party friendly by creating intimate sections that will encourage guests to chat.

Use multi-purpose centerpiece displays such as ice sculpture vessels to dazzle guests and to serve as a chilled bowl for some delicious confection. More information regarding ice sculptures (how-to and where to buy molds).

Provide adequate seating. Standing for long periods of time is recipe for an early night. Don’t lose guests to tired legs – give them the seating they are seeking.

Free their hands. Guests will love you when you provide them with tables to set their drink glasses and plates upon. It’s tough to have fun, engage in conversation and feel festive when bogged down (for a substantial amount of time).

Dress Your Holiday Table in Kim Seybert Fashion – Special Shopping offer from Gilt.com

Create a stunning and glamorous tablescape by starting with a strong fashionable foundation laid by Kim Seybert’s tabletop decor. For a limited time (Thursday November 13, 2008 thru Friday 14, 2008) the by- invitation-only online shop Gilt.com is offering spectacular savings on Kim Seybert housewares. Scroll below to get your private invitation to shop and save on Kim Seybert tabletop finery (some samples from the sale below – lots more online!).

Kim Seybert Beaded Paisley Runner – Handcrafted runner with wooden and glass beads used to create a paisley motif. Runner measures 47 inches x 20 inches. Material: 80% glass beads and 20% metal. Trim is silk thread and plastic beads. 100% cotton backing. Origin: Imported. Reg Price: $440 – SPECIAL GILT PRICE $210.

Kim Seybert Zig Zag Placemat – Set of four round placemats covered fully with glass and wooden beads and has a zig zag designed border. Each placemat has a 15 inch diameter. Color: Organic / green. Material: 100% glass beads. Trim used wood and silk thread. 100% cotton backing. Origin: Imported. Reg Price: $340 – SPECIAL GILT PRICE $170.

Kim Seybert Pessementry Border Napkin (set of four) linen napkins with a pessementry border. Each napkin measures 21 inches x 21 inches. Machine washable. Material: 100% Linen. Reg Price: $115 – SPECIAL GILT PRICE $65.

Your Gilt.com shopping invitation.