| Have you ever walked into someone's perfectly | | | | If you've got a red kitchen, your holiday |
| manicured, designer decorated home during the | | | | decorating is half done, right? Maybe, but this |
| holidays only to be greeted by multi-colored lights | | | | doesn't mean you have to go with traditional |
| twinkling against red glass ball ornaments, silver | | | | holiday color scheme year after year. Try a |
| tinsel and skimpy garland? Not to say that the | | | | couple of contrasting but complimentary colors |
| traditional color scheme is bad, but don't get stuck | | | | and strategically place them throughout the |
| in a Christmas rut! Over-the-top trees and swags | | | | kitchen to balance the red. |
| may or may not be for you, but holiday | | | | Surprisingly enough, a nautical look is a popular |
| decorating should be a reflection of your | | | | new theme. Use white and cream seashells or |
| traditions, customs or heritage and most | | | | chunks of coral as your "pinecones", pearl garland, |
| importantly your own taste. No matter what, try | | | | ornaments and sprays as your round ornaments |
| a holiday color scheme that compliments your | | | | and accents (as well as your metallic bling) and |
| surroundings, instead of competing with them. | | | | starfish as your "snowflakes". Take a large |
| If you have neutral walls and décor, your | | | | starfish, decorate with ribbons and pearls, attach |
| holiday decorating options are pretty wide open. | | | | a small cone to the bottom and use as a beautiful |
| You can go traditional red and green, but consider | | | | tree topper. Mix the treasures of the sea with |
| throwing in lime green. It'll give you a retro feel | | | | some from land; a woven basket filled with silk |
| without feeling old-fashioned. Metallics are hot | | | | paperwhites or a clay pot with white silk amaryllis, |
| every season and add "bling" against a neutral | | | | a traditional Christmas flower. Believe it or not, |
| backdrop without being gaudy. Try mixing | | | | there's a great Christmas story tucked inside |
| metallics with other earthy elements like feathers, | | | | every sand dollar; one part of the story says that |
| stones and twigs. Not only are you fashionable, | | | | the star that lead the shepherds to the baby |
| you're recycling too! Jewel tones are a current | | | | Jesus is emblazoned on the front and the |
| favorite although be careful to avoid the "circus" | | | | poinsettia is on the back side. Would you have |
| look. Choose three to four colors and mix them | | | | ever thought the nautical theme could tie into |
| with artificial yet natural looking sprays to keep it | | | | Christmas so well? |
| authentically holiday. Purple, red, green and fuchsia | | | | No matter what your budget or taste, color plays |
| are a rich combination that is festive yet classy. | | | | an important role in creating a holiday atmosphere |
| Of course the opposite could be true if you live in | | | | that your friends and family will remember for |
| a house full of bold color or prints; reds, yellows, | | | | years to come. Don't stress about it, but make it |
| blues or bold wallpapers. Try a monochromatic | | | | a fun and exciting part of decorating for the |
| theme or a more neutral, earthly color scheme. | | | | holidays each and every year. |