6 Holiday Decoration Tips When You're Short on Time
Lexington, KY Interior Designer Liz Toombs shares tips for quick, fun, and stunning holiday decorations.
This time of year is crazy for everyone. It seems like there are more commitments every single year, and less time for holiday cheer. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle, Lexington-based interior decorator Liz Toombs of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors has five tips that will make your holiday decorating fast and fun!
Trust me, Liz knows what she's doing. She and her team from Polka Dots & Rosebuds decorated the entire Alltech arena for the Junior League of Lexington's Holly Day Market in short order. Since I assume that your home is smaller than the arena, you can get your decorations up in a day or two, too! Here are Liz's five tricks for those of you who can't find more than a free hour to deck the halls:
- Hang a wreath on your front door. Toombs suggests, “Beautiful wreaths can be purchased pre-made. Even if the inside of your home is still decorated for July 4th, a wreath makes it appear to the outside world that you are in the holiday spirit!”
- Let your light shine with candles. Whether pillars, candelabras, or battery-operated, candles set a festive, warm mood. Plus, they make your home smell like the holidays too.
- Use what you find at the grocery. “You will have to be at the grocery anyway, so use it as a time to pick up decorations. Pine cones look festive in a bowl. Sprigs of fresh greenery bring a nice touch and scent when placed throughout your home. And, pomegranates and cranberries floating in water look nice in a tall vase that holds fresh flowers,” Liz adds.
- Try a tabletop tree. “I decorated several tabletop trees this year for clients,” Liz says. “Just because a tree is going on a table does not mean it has to be small. Depending on your space, full-size trees can be very impactful on a tabletop. Plus, if you live in a cramped apartment, a tabletop tree frees up valuable floor area.”
- Throw a decorating party. This option is a win-win; you catch up with friends that you may have been neglecting due to your schedule and they can help you decorate. “Turn a girls’ night out into a girls’ night in! Decorate trees, make wreaths, bake cookies, have some holiday cheer - your friends will want to make this party a tradition,” Liz suggests.
- Pick a hot spot. Choose one room, or even one area of a room for focus. A mantel, chandelier, staircase or dining area can pack a lot of punch. Once you’ve chosen your hot spot, go all out!
Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.
{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}
5 Holiday Decoration Tips to Add Kentucky Flair and Heirloom Charm to Your Home
Lexington, KY interior designer Liz Toombs shares whimsical Christmas decoration ideas.
For most of us here in the Bluegrass State, it's second nature to throw in a few Kentucky-themed items in our home décor. Whether your tastes reflect a passion for bourbon, equestrian pursuits, team pride, or family heritage, you probably have more than a few items lying around the house. Of course, it’s easy to go overboard on the Kentucky love, so I asked Liz Toombs, a Certified Interior Decorator and owner of Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors in Lexington, for some holiday decoration advice. Liz was kind enough to share five tidbits about embracing your own personal Kentucky style:
1. Choose decorations that mimic the Kentucky countryside. Whether your style is rustic or luxe, there's a way to adapt the colors of the Bluegrass State to decorate your Old Kentucky Home. “As Kentuckians, we can easily use many of the fabrics and symbols that represent our state in our holiday decorations. Classic burlap and plaid fabrics convey Kentucky country homes, while shades of purple and green reflect the shades of Kentucky bluegrass,” advises Liz, who plans clients’ holiday décor months in advance.
2. Try a flocked tree. Liz loves the trend of trees that look like they were just plucked from a snowy field, noting that pairing these trees with warm textures bring the vibe of a Kentucky winter into your home. Flocked trees are beautiful on their own, and require minimal decoration to provide a significant impact. She notes that you can find reasonably priced flocked trees at stores like At Home and Lowe’s. Add Maker’s Mark and Louisville Stoneware ornaments for a Bluegrass touch.
3. Work with collections. Have a collection of Christopher Radko or vintage ornaments? Liz suggests that you pair them with new pieces: “Vintage crystal ornaments look beautiful when paired with old-world beaded garland. I love mercury glass! I’m so glad that it’s popular again; it pairs well with newer decorations.” She also suggests tucking magnolia stems and long pine needles/sprigs into trees, mantles, and wreaths for a classic, Southern look.
4. Use those heirlooms! Most of us have statement heirloom pieces that may just be collecting dust in a china cabinet. Use the holidays as an excuse to let them shine! Liz suggests that you set your tables with your very best pieces: “It’s so Southern to place pretty heirloom pieces such as silver platters, soup tureens and punch bowls on your buffet or dining table. They look festive filled with ornaments or floral arrangements,” Liz suggests. “Depending on their size, you can arrange some heirlooms, such as flatware or china tea cups, in a tree by twisting the branches to hold them.”
5. Re-purpose well-worn heirlooms! Those pieces that have been passed down for generations often start to show signs of love – and wear! If, say, you have a collection of stockings that your great-grandmother hand-stitched that are too worn for display, but too special to be tossed, Liz suggests draping them over the side of an heirloom bowl or vase for an unexpected look or arranging them at the base of your Christmas tree for an unexpected alternative to a tree skirt.
Thanks so much to Liz Toombs for this awesome holiday advice, and check back tomorrow for her advice for holiday decorations when you're short on time. Liz's award-winning firm, Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors, offers complete design services for homes, offices and Greek housing.
{Photos courtesy Liz Toombs.}
HerKentucky Shops! Guide to Black Friday (Part 2)
Happy Black Friday, y'all! I hope everybody is still in their flannel pajamas, snacking on leftovers, and avoiding the malls!
Of course, today is a great day off work to begin your holiday shopping. I suggest that you start with local boutiques and brands and then move on to online retailers. There have been so many great additions to last night's HerKentucky Guide to Black Friday that we needed to extend the list!
Kentucky Brands and Stores
- Louisville Stoneware: 10% off online purchases with code BF2015. Expires at midnight 11/30.
- Quest Outdoors (Louisville): 30% off online or in-store. (This includes Barbour!!) Through 11/30.
- Hadley Pottery: 20% off an order of $100 with code BLK20; 25% off an order of $150 with code FRI25; 30% off an order of $200. Online only; 11/27-11/30.
- Three Dog Bakery (Louisville): Sales and specials on gift cards, dog toys, and food. 11/27 and 11/28.
- Beaufort Bonnet Company: 30% off site-wide with code Pink Friday.
- The Prickly Pear (Louisville): In-store specials including $17.99 blanket scarves and 20% off boot cuffs.
- J. Peterman: Up to 78% off.
- The Diaper Fairy Cottage (Louisville): Special Glitter Friday deals for walk-in customers!
- Pure Barre Owensboro: Merchandise and membership plan sales.
- Lucky's Market (Louisville): 20% off bourbon (today only!)
A few other sales you shouldn't miss:
- Rue La La: Massive markdowns on the luxury retailer. While Rue's headquarters isn't Kentucky-based, did you know that most of their shipping and studio photography takes place right her in the Bluegrass State?
- Tervis Tumbler: 25% off sitewide + free shipping on all orders over $49. Everybody knows that Tervis Tumblers are THE BEST holiday present!
- Shutterfly: 10 Free Cards + 40% off additional cards. Get a head start on your holiday cards!
Happy Shopping, y'all!
HerKentucky Shops! Black Friday in Kentucky
I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving and is ready to start their holiday shopping!
While I'm not a big Black Friday shopper myself, I sure can't keep from checking out the online sales from Target and Nordstrom and... well, you get the idea!
For your shopping convenience, here are a few of the best Black Friday sales and going on across the Bluegrass State.
- BBQ & More (Paducah): Free Paducah Ornament with $100 Purchase at their Sip, Sample & Shop Event Friday & Saturday November 27 & 28, 10-5.
- Daffodils (Prestonsburg): Open Thursday 11/26 9 p.m. - Friday 11/27 2 a.m. First 100 customers receive a free gift!
- My Kentucky Tee: 15% off All Tees for Subscribers only. Friday 11/27-Monday 11/30.
- Omar + Elsie (Lexington): 10% off storewide; $100 in gift cards for $90. Friday 11/27 from 10-6.
- Two Chicks & Company: Online specials posted on Friday and Monday.
- Rodes for Him & For Her (Louisville): Tax free Shopping Friday 11/27 and Saturday 11/28.
- Kentucky Branded: All inventory buy one get one half off (online only).
- CycleYOU (Lexington): Membership, gift certificate, and merchandise sale 11/27-29.
- The Bug's Ear (Elizabethtown): 11/27 midnight- 2 am: 20% off entire in-store purchase; 9 am-6 pm: 15% off entire in-store purchase.
- Shop Local Kentucky (Lexington): 10% off entire in-store purchase; free t-shirt with $20 purchase.
- Primp Style Lounge (Louisville): 20% off packages; 15% off products; gift card deals and more!
Happy shopping, y'all!
Blue and Brown Kitchen Print Patchwork Quilt
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
Julia Child said that "People who love to eat are always the best people." Let me tell you, this Thanksgiving, Julia would certainly approve of everyone at my house. We've feasted and given thanks, and we decorated the sofa with this gorgeous cooking-themed quilt that my grandmother made for me a few years ago. I love the fun prints and colors in this one!
HerKentucky Shops! Target Pajamas One Day Sale 11/24
This week, HerKentucky wants to make sure y'all spend as little time as possible at the mall. This week kicks off the holiday season, and why would you bother standing in line at the mall to fight over sweaters and blue-ray players when you could be fighting with relatives and listening to Adele?
I mean, obviously.
In the spirit of staying away from Black Friday, we're sharing sales and shopping events that keep you out of the malls this week here on HerKentucky.com as well as over on our Facebook and Instagram pages. While we're mostly focusing on local stores and Kentucky-made products, I just couldn't resist letting y'all in on a one-day sale at Target. Because, let's be honest: you're going to go to Target this week. Probably today. So, you should pick up some of the absolute BEST pajamas while you're there.
Target's Nick & Nora flannel pajamas are my holiday favorite. They fit great, they hold up well, and they're simply adorable. I've amassed quite a collection over the years, and I'll probably pick up a pair or two today, because all pajamas are 40% off today only at Target! Use code SLEEP online, or shop in-store.
And, go ahead and buy an extra pair. You'll love them.
(This post contains affiliate links, but all opinions about Target and Nick & Nora are my own. I seriously love those pajamas.)