Some simple ways to add some SPARKLE to your Holiday | Inexpensively

Hello All,

There's always a little pressure for entertaining around the holidays to have everything 'just right' in your house.  Who doesn't want to have a house that dazzles this holiday? 

If your anything like me, I make my way down the Christmas isle every year to gather my inspiration for this years decorations.  I could easily spend hundreds of dollars on new inspiration, but I stop myself and think of ways I can do it on a budget. This is my spin on Christmas for less.

1. Break down and buy a box of GLITTERED SNOWFLAKES from a local major discount store.  All this glory in a $2.98 box is one of my favorite ways to add some sparkle to my house.  You can hang them from the mantle, windows, wreaths, staircases, door knobs, candlesticks, a chandelier,  lamps, wine bottles... and of course, your Christmas tree!  

Even in empty frames!

 Buy 3 boxes. Seriously, it will transform your house...for reals. 

2. Shake up that CHANDELIER WITH ORNAMENTS (and snowflakes!).  Whatever ornaments you're drawn to, play around with it... Instant holiday sparkle! 

Last year I used white snowflakes.  Here's 2012's holiday decorations.  

Interesting to see my decorations are quite different every year.

3. A SIMPLE HOLIDAY CENTERPIECE.  This one is just a gold tray with fresh greenery clippings and a few glass ornaments.  

4. A TRAY FOR YOUR SPIRITS.  I am easily inspired from all my travels.  Recently, I was inspired from a trip to Napa Valley.  While at a great modern vineyard, I noticed a little silver tray that our host used to bring all the different wines for us to try.  When I got home, I dusted off my parent's tray that was collecting dust in the basement and shined that baby up. 

 Now it makes an appearance as a tray to corral our libations at every gathering.  If you don't have a silver tray, no worries any tray or mirror will do.  And make no mistake-- everyone will know where to go to get their 'happy" on.  Little details like this make your gathering even more special.

      {For some inspiring drinks for this holiday season check out my dranks on Pinterest.}

5. Make PILLOWS FROM FABRIC NAPKINS. It doesn't get any easier than this. Sew three sides together right side in, turn right side out, stuff and whip stitch the bottom.    So much  cheaper than store bought pillows!  I have been doing this for years and no one is none the wiser.

These napkins were under $10 for 4.  You guessed it--2 pillows for $10!

6. Add GRANDMAS DIAMOND BROACHES to your pillows.  This is a super easy trick to make some ordinary pillows extraordinary.  Quick- run to your moms house and raid her jewelry box! 

7.  Make your own CHRISTMAS TERRARIUMS.  

I used sugar, a bottle brush tree that was only $2, some ornaments and some fresh clippings.  

You could get the kids involved on this one and I bet they would come up with some fun ones!

                            Sure you could add fake glittery snow, but I had the sugar, so it was free!



8. A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MOVIE. Whether your favorite is Elf, A Charlie Brown Christmas, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, etc.  Put one on  in the background and wait for the laughter and memories to fill the air. 
   

9. And just for fun-- HOLIDAY CRACKERS.  A British Holiday dinner tradition. Now a Christmas tradition in our house.  They traditionally hold crowns, tiny toys and a joke or riddle.  Super fun for a crowd!

10. Don't forget to HIDE THE PICKLE!  This American tradition dating back to the late 19th century provides hours of entertainment for our kids.  Whoever finds the pickle first, gets an extra present! Or good fortune for the coming year.

{Here are some more great ways to add some more SPARKLE to your home for the holidays.}

There you have it--  10 great inexpensive ways to turn your House into a Home this holiday season!

Here's to a Holiday filled with beauty, joy and laughter from my house to your house!


Cheers,

Are you looking for ideas to add to your decor?  Are you stuck in a rut and need some fresh ideas? Let me HUNT for you!  Email me at HousebyHolly@yahoo.com for a consult.
To follow my posts, join me on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM and Pinterest.

If you enjoy reading HOUSE by Holly, please click the "like" button at the top of the page for Facebook. Or visit http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly and hit "like".  

I will be sharing extra tips and tricks on that Facebook page I created.  

And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Linking to:
Thrifty Decor Chick
Savvy Southern Style
From My Front Porch To Yours
From My Front Porch To Yours
Savvy Southern Style

A Gallery Wall for the Beach Bunker

Hi All,

Today I'm going to share my tips on creating a gallery wall.

One thing that I left unfinished in the Beach Bunker is the wall behind the sofa. This just happens to be the wall that you see right when you walk into the living room.  It's a long white wall, so it needs to make a statement.  Instead of one big piece of art, I'm thinking it's perfect for a GALLERY WALL.

The first thing I do when creating a gallery wall is gather my inventory.  I usually start by seeing what frames I have on hand and what can be used or given a new life.  I am also a big fan of using empty beautiful frames that make a statement too.  This time the bargains were too good to pass up on at discount stores and my favorite "go to" the thrift store.  

I also feel it's important for your gallery wall to tell a story.  This particular gallery wall is in our beach house, which is relaxed, fun and colorful.  I created a folder of all my favorite pictures from the first summer our family has spent in our beach house, as well as, a few scenery shots taken from this year.  Just a little reminder of what we were thankful for this year..

I've been curious about the canvas prints from Shutterfly and decided to give it a try. Shutterfly has lots of options for canvas prints under the home decor section.  These come with so many fantastic options it was hard to make my mind up.

The quality was superb...bright, clear and lots of color.

I was also drawn to the family established date in the right hand corner.  It just makes it that much more personal. 

If you are familiar with the FAMILY RULES canvas that is floating around from home decor stores, these are like that, but can be personalized with your family photos.  If you want to personalize a great gift this holiday for your spouse, mom/dad, girlfriend/boyfriend, sister/brother or friend you have to check out these modern canvas options.  Surprisingly, my picture canvas arrived in only 3 days.   
    

I like to place all my memories on the floor and play around with the pattern so that I don't put any unwanted holes in my walls.  Once the pattern is pleasing, I use thumb nails to hang my pictures.  For one the holes are smaller, just incase you want to move it a little or a lot.  I simply place the thumb tack on the back of the picture hanger and press the frame into the wall.  When I am absolutely sure I like the arrangement, I switch the thumb tack out for a sturdy nail.

I also ordered large and small prints from Shutterfly as well.  I have them printed in a matte finish for a professional look.

 Not sure why I was drawn to this cat picture I found at a thrift store...

There was just something about this charming, little, poor cat being stuck in the 70's as he or she sat next to this 10 speed bicycle.  Someone loved this cat so much to frame and matte this moment.  So while it's not specifically "my" moment, it is a moment of remembering that I do have a sentimental side.  So in a way it does fit in the theme, right?  I probably shouldn't even mention that I saw this photo, picked it up and put it back down and left the store.  Only to return the next day with the task to purchase it. And I paid more than $10 dollars for it.  But hey, maybe my kids will grow up one day and talk about this particularly strange cat photo and it will somehow mean something to them too.  Maybe that will happen.

What do you think?

What I love about this gallery is that most of these pictures were from the first summer we had at our beach with a couple of other nautical inspirations.  Our family has taken on lots of NEW TRADITIONS and made many NEW FRIENDS for a lifetime.   It was a great year!

Here is my Gallery Wall Crushes board on Pinterest.  There is tons of inspiration!

So, are you going to try a modern canvas?  What's your gallery story going to be?   What a great idea for a personalized holiday gift!



Thanks to Shutterfly for the canvas print for this post.

From my HOUSE to your HOUSE, HAPPY HUNTING!

Are you looking for ideas to add to your decor?  Are you stuck in a rut and need some fresh ideas? Let me HUNT for you!  Email me at HousebyHolly@yahoo.com for a consult.

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM

And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Linking to: Three Mango Seeds, Nifty Thrifty Things

 

A Few of my Favorite Things This Season...

Leaves falling... Colorful gourds... 

     Crisp apples...Delicious soup... 

        A lit fireplace...Warm welcoming decor...

                                Giving thanks...

One of my favorite times of the year has arrived.   Although it's definitely a downer when Summer ends, I do look forward to the Fall.  There is something about getting organized and settling into a new schedule--it's almost like starting over and doing your very best. 

Decorating for Fall can be as simple as using warm colors and bringing natural elements inside.   It feels both organic and classy.  

It's the season of bountiful  harvest, so that means it's time to display our harvest, right?

Some of my faves to decorate with are white pumpkins, red apples, soup tureens, pine cones and even a nice 'chippy chair'.

While on the HUNT for this years FALL tabletop decor, I was inspired right smack dab in the middle of a thrift store.   All it took was some green and red Holiday chargers and a few antique dessert wine glasses and BOOM! 

I brought those red and green chargers right home and gave them a fresh coat of chalk board paint.  Super easy and  now these definitely have a purpose throughout the year, not just at Christmas.  They are really cool for Thanksgiving for the kiddos (and adults) to write what they are thankful for.


I found this great tablecloth in the clearance section at Target marked down to $10.  

It's really a curtain panel!  

The colors are perfect for fall and who knows maybe I'll hang them later...

Most people don't realize you can repurpose curtain panels as table clothes and table clothes as curtain panels.  

Material is material...or at least in my eyes it is.  

Next, I added three pumpkins and put one on a white candlestick.  

 Then, I slipped little white candles in the dessert wine glasses.  I also purchased and poked some some inexpensive greenery (I even brought some in from outside!) and dried lotus pods from a craft store.  

I really like these antique dessert wine glasses.  
You can find so many different styles of glassware and plates at a thrift store.  Just think of the possibilities for a themed party!
  

What else can you do with those chalkboard painted chargers?  

Well, how about entertain those children before or after the meal.  I have a feeling my kids will play with them all throughout the year.  So simple and a great way to repurpose them for another use.

The foyer got a splash of Fall too.  A chair I found on the side of the road got a new look.  I recovered it using painters drop cloth and brought in a velvet purple pillow for the foyer...

And don't forget the ceremic pumpkin from my childhood.  Don't we all have one of these?  

It wouldn't be Halloween with out it in our house...and when Halloween is over, I simply turn it around and no one is none the wiser.

A simple owl is perched in his position on the mantel...

I picked these from some tall grasses in our yard.  I'm loving the texture...it's almost like feathers.  But free!

And some of my favorites from the web

Stone Gable


Amanda Carol Interiors



Homeward Found Decor


How do you get inspired for fall?  What are your favorite things to use in fall decor?  Are you thinking about painting your holiday chargers with chalkboard paint? What are you thankful for this season?

From my HOUSE to your HOUSE, HAPPY HUNTING!

Let's Connect!

Are you looking for ideas to add to your decor?  Are you stuck in a rut and need some fresh ideas? Let me HUNT for you!  Email me at HousebyHolly@yahoo.com for a consult.

To follow my posts, join me on Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly

You can also follow me on HOUZZ.COM and Pinterest.

If you enjoy reading HOUSE by Holly, please click the "like" button at the top of the page for Facebook. Or visit http://www.facebook.com/HouseByHolly and hit "like".  

I will be sharing extra tips and tricks on that Facebook page I created.  

And as always, I love to hear from MY READERS!  Please leave me comments, post projects you have tried and feel free to ask me questions.

Linking to:
Thrifty Decor Chick