Holiday Table Setting

There are a few things that you need to know while setting up your table for the holidays:


1. Choose a runner that contrasts your table but also complements the look of the room.


2. Add height to your table without blocking people. Candles are a great addition to the table.


3. Purchase the few extra touches such as a serving tray and a glass pitcher filled with you 
favorite appetizers and beverages.


4. Add something extra to everyones place setting like a huge fall leaf or a favorite quote.


5. Have fun, it's the holidays! :)


Below are a few fun photos to pull a couple ideas from! Enjoy!

Fall 2011 Decorating Tips!

 Corn stalks found at a local pumpkin farm are the perfect
front porch touch for Fall decorating.

As many of you may already know. . . I LOVE Fall! It is the best time of year. The leaves begin to change, the weather gets cooler and football season starts. Not only that but the holiday decorating begins! I bring out my pumpkin decor, fall leaves, some hay stacks and corn stalks on the front porch! Oh, and most of all, you cannot forget the fall scented candles. Below are a few tips if you would like to start adding a few Fall touches to your home. 

Candles, magazine, and fall colored flowers tie
this coffee table together.

1. Decorate little parts of your home,  such as your chandelier and/or entry table/coffee table. 

A few other changes you may want to make are with your throws and pillows in your family room. Add warmer colors such as plum, burnt orange or mustard brown. 

Creamy nutmeg and Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin!?
YUM!

2. Candles! Candles! Candles! You want your home to have a cozy feeling and candles will add just the extra touch. A few great places to get candles this time of year are at Bath and Body Works (tons of scented candles from Pumpkin Spice to Apple Pie) as well as Anthropologie.

Orange lights are strung around the
birch tree for an extra festive look!

3. Decorate the exterior of your home with real pumpkins, lanterns, hay stacks or even tall corn stalks. I like to tie corn stalks to the posts on my front porch. Also, set out a few pumpkins leading up to your home or gather a few and put them on the ground as well as a few on a hay stack. Always remember it is important to keep the eye moving so don't just decorate in one corner!!

Happy Decorating! 

Michelle

Holiday Decorating

The most wonderful time of the year!
Below is one of the trees I decorated for the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, CA.

 Having a creative tree top makes any Christmas tree charming and unique.

 Add personal items to your Christmas tree! Have meaning to your tree... remember it only comes around once a year!

I was honored three years in a row to decorate at the Ronald Reagan Library. This is the "Air Force One" Tree. Inspired with classic Christmas colors and ornaments. 

And the final result... drum roll please...!!!

Below is a tree I decorated for the Decor Store in Simi Valley. For many years now I have been the holiday designer in charge of more than 15 themes throughout the store. Come in this year for inspiration of your home!

I decorated a home for the Holiday Homes Tour which is a wonderful for Cancer Support. This mantel was just a small part of the entire home which was completely decorated for the holidays!!

Hand Painted Fireplace

This client wanted to have the look of walnut wood surrounding the fireplace. Instead of doing a complete demolition of it, I decided to paint the look of wood. It turned out great and the clients were thrilled of the hassle free process!

Below are some photos during my painting process. 

Another client had the same idea of making their white fireplace have a natural wood look. They also wanted the hearth to look like marble. After many hours of detailed work the fireplace ended up looking wonderfully inviting in their family room. 

Take a look at the before and after pictures of my hand painted designs!

Before....

 After shots of my hand painted fireplace and hearth...

My Hand Painted Hearth- Marble Design

Dining Room Transformation

Painting Techniques

Event Decoration