Organizing Your Home After the Holidays

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New year, new me! …Well, maybe not. But I always feel motivated after the holidays to make crucial changes in my organization, and it’s never too late to get started! Although we are well into January now, I find myself still purging and organizing plenty of things around my house, and I wanted to share some tips that help me stay tidied up and get situated after I pack up all that holiday decor. Maybe the urge feels a bit stronger this year because of the strange-ness of 2020, but I’m here for it! Here are some ways to keep you chipping away at the clutter:

-Tackle just one thing a day (or week): If you’re a busy mom at home with littles, you may only get to one “project” a week, but if you have older kids or no kids, you will possibly have a bit more time to knock out some bigger projects. The goal of one a week is attainable for almost everyone, and I recommend that you create specific things rather than entire rooms. If your goal is “master bedroom”, I think it may feel looming and overwhelming. Instead, be specific, like, “my half of the closer in the master bedroom”. Put it on your calendar, so you stay accountable!

-Don’t be afraid to invest in some storage: If your storage is broken, nonexistent or ugly, it’s okay to invest in some great pieces from a big box store! You’ll be surprised what a few plain glass or plastic canisters can do in your pantry when. you add pretty labels, or that simply adding under the bed bins can increase your storage tenfold! Set aside a little cash to hit up your local big box stores or order from somewhere like Ikea, so your storage matches and looks more cohesive. You’ll feel better about the aesthetics if you have some matching, neutral bins. If a local small business or hardware store sells these, even better!

-Organize your holiday stuff before you put it away: Nothing is worse than unpacking the holiday items in December only to discover tangles of lights and broken glassware or wooden decorations with pieces snapped off. I recommend assigning certain bins to your holiday decorations, and storing them carefully. When you pack them up, add newspaper or bubble wrap to keep things in good shape, and pack them in the reverse order of how you want to unpack them. That way, your most immediate needs to be accessible early on when you begin to decorate! Take the time to do it right, so you don’t have to waste the time when you just want to put your decor up!

-If you haven’t used something since last year, it can probably head to Goodwill or be donated to someone who might want it. Don’t be afraid to purge out your home from the things you don’t use, so that you can free up space and not feel so cluttered. Did you know your good used condition items are tax deductible at Goodwill? You can get a receipt online, so save them up until the next time that you do your taxes! Items must be in good working order to be deducted.

Stay tuned for more organizational and home tips!

Decorating for the Holidays (wIthout being cheesy)

I love the holiday season. Which one, you ask? All of them! I enjoy the special traditions and time with family, I love the great food and gatherings around a table, and of course, decor is so important to me. It’s one of my favorite things to create a welcoming space to celebrate special memories with my loved ones. But, holiday decor can be known as a bit cheesy. It conjures up images of huge inflatable pumpkins or oversized Christmas gifts in your lawn (if that’s your thing, go for it and love it!), which aren’t my style. I’ve learned a few things over the years about decorating while still staying true to my neutral, polished aesthetic:

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-Halloween is just around the corner, and although I don’t always decorate specifically for the holiday, I do love a moody/dark theme for the halloween season. Think black, navy, gold, and even hints of burgundy to create something that feels “moody” but still elegant. Shimmery gold charger plates, burgundy candles or linens…these can all work together without feeling like you threw some skeletons or black cats on the dining room table ;) If you don’t want to celebrate Halloween or decorate in black and orange, you can simply choose to mark the autumn season with rich jewel tones and pretty textures.

-It starts with the entryway: Your entryway is the first impression, and can set the stage for your party or gathering. Although we are still dealing with Coronavirus, it is still special to mark the holidays with your immediate family, with things like pretty wreaths, candles, or banners on the door. I like the look of the newer wooden circle signs, for something different than a wreath. If you don’t love changing your decor for every season or holiday, consider a neutral wreath that you can tuck little touches into for Christmas or easter, to make it simpler for yourself.

Don’t forget the bathroom: You don’t have to deck out your whole bathroom, but it’s really nice to add some small touch of festivity in your guest or main bathroom. At Christmastime, a tiny tree (opt for real plants or something that doesn’t look fake) with twinkle lights, and some vintage style hand towels make it subtle but sweet. You can really add a small touch of decor to your bathroom for any holiday (even Fourth of July) with things like star candles, twinkle lights, interchangeable rugs or hand towels, and little wooden signs. These things are easy to customize and change up, and they add personality without looking cluttered. Remember that less is more, and it’s okay if you only add a very subtle bit of holiday spark!

Cream and white can be festive, too: You don’t have to use tons of color if you always gravitate towards soft neutrals. For a lovely thanksgiving table, layer hues of cream, brown, and white for a really classy table (aim for textures like linen, cotton, and even burlap to add interest). You can add wooden candle holders, and greenery and, the tablescape can even be duplicated at Christmastime with some added touches. A neutral styled table can be the starting ground for any holiday, so it’s ideal to keep all those basics on hand, and then build on them when you need to.

Happy decorating!

Best of Amazon Holiday Decor

If you’re anything like me, you’ve discovered the benefits of Amazon prime! The one-stop shop even allows you to set up monthly deliveries of things like detergent or groceries, and you can basically knock out all your christmas shopping in one sitting with your smart phone! Amazon has grown and grown to include everything from organic products to inexpensive party supplies, and you can always snag a good book or two! Best of all, prime members get their purchases in just two days. But one area that is often overlooked with Amazon, is the home decor selection. They have the most amazing decor items, at super affordable prices! Here are my picks for holiday decor that will arrive quickly to your home, and look like you spent hours searching it out at expensive department stores!

-Christmas Tree Pillow: this high-end looking pillow is under $10, and has free prime shipping! The cute print and little truck/tree design is perfect for any farmhouse inspired decor scheme, and best of all, it is 18x18 and slips right over your existing pillows as a slipcover. This means you can save space and utilize what you already own. Find it HERE.

-Rustic farmhouse sign: This is a great price, and looks adorable. It is really well made and is under $70, which is pretty affordable for a large sign. It also comes with two hooks for easy hanging and decorating, and looks good with any color theme, because it is such a pretty neutral. At 18x24”, it is large enough to make a big impact on your christmas decorating! Find it HERE.

-Plain burlap stockings: These are somewhat on the thin side, but they accent your existing decor really well, and they are just $12 for three stockings! They look great in front of a fireplace or hanging on a mantel, or you can fill them up and give them as gifts to teachers or friends. They are like a blank canvas, since they are just a simple tan and white design! Find them HERE.

-Large christmas wreath: Wreaths can be quite expensive, and many are gaudy. This pretty, flocked artificial wreath is the best idea for your front door or even inside your home, layered on a big mirror or windowpane. It’s also filled with enough neutral greens and whites that you could use it year-round or add a little sparkle with added ornaments. It’s a bit spendy at $53, but pretty comparable to any other type of wreath you may find at Target or Home Goods. It’s available HERE.

As you can see, Amazon has tons of pretty christmas items, that are all affordable! Best of all, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your own couch to find them!

Setting Your Thanksgiving Table

Setting your table for the holidays is so important. It might seem like a small detail, but the table (like the kitchen) can be the heart of the home. Especially during the holidays, meals and gatherings play a huge role in building community and hospitality, and we believe they can be an expression of your personal style, too! We are busy dreaming up our holiday tablescapes around here, and wanted to share our favorite pieces to inspire you. 

Photo: Pottery Barn

The Leila dishes from Pottery Barn caught our eye this season, because of their blend of sophistication and rustic elegance. They have a hand-applied glaze, and they look stunning paired with copper accents and natural wood pieces. Don’t forget the basic pieces you’ll need for a table setting, including matching flatware, and plenty of linens. You can forego a tablecloth if you want a more rustic look, but a pretty burgundy or mustard looks beautiful for Thanksgiving or harvest dinners. We also love the Scarlett dishes, which have a subtle and elegant grey/blue pattern. I’d pair these with shimmering silver accents and flatware for a dressier event. 

Photo: Williams Sonoma

Marble is not only beautiful, but the new pieces from Williams Sonoma also are functional. You can find their whole collection of serving trays and cutting boards HERE, and they look gorgeous against colors like navy and gold for an unexpected pairing. If your wallet can’t quite handle the Williams Sonoma price tags, Target came out with a similar collection, and most of their pieces are under $50. Their pieces are a great way to begin introducing marble into your decor at an affordable price. This beautiful tray is just $19.99, and would look perfect for your next cheese and wine appetizer.  

Stay right here on our blog for the latest style news and tips, and how to incorporate them into your everyday life and home! Ar you having a large party or event this holiday season? Allure with Decor offers personalized styling and event decor,  in addition to interior design. Let us know via our CONTACT page if you would like to book your event today.  Hurry, as holiday schedules fill quickly!

Decorating for Thanksgiving

Decorating for Thanksgiving

I can smell it now: the pumpkin pie cooling on the windowsill, the marshmallow topping melting over the tender yams, and the glorious turkey (or ham) sizzling in the oven, filling up your kitchen with the best of scents. It’s one of my favorite times of year, and I can’t wait until get to put up my decorations every year! There’s so many great ideas for sprucing up your home with autumn’s charm, but I’ll start you off with a couple of my favorite picks.

The first place you think of when thanksgiving runs across your mind is the dinner table. The whole holiday takes place around it! It’s always a challenge preparing the feast you eat off it, let alone sorting through the difficulties that come in deciding how to decorate it! But once you decide on a general theme, everything falls into place. For example, pumpkins never fail to bring the fruits of fall into your dining room, and to break from the mold you can use white pumpkins to foster a softer atmosphere, and paired with some candles, white flowers, and other accent pieces that fit your theme, you get an all around cleaner look. 

Or, focus on rounds of wood for your place settings and surround them with greenery for a rustic, earthy style. If you’re not as much into wood slices, you can get the same farmhouse look with rope coil charges, and they’re not hard to make yourself! For the plates themselves, follow your color palette and either fold your napkins into a festive shape, or use them as an accent to the rest of the table. Use bits of greenery, like a sprig of sage on your plate setting as a garnish of sorts. While it’s not much on its own, it’s the small things that really pull a style together.

One thing you want to avoid is a busy table, though. The only thing you want overwhelming your guests is the sense of awe they get from staring at your beautiful table full of wonderful food, right before they dig in. Holidays are my favorite times of the year, and they’re one of those few moments in life where you can really make something your own. You can spend forever thinking about all the different trends and styles going around these days, but it’s important to remember to do what you like to do, since it’s your own home, after all. So take some of these ideas, put in some of your own, and make this thanksgiving one for the photo album!

a beautiful Christmas to you

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During this time of year, it’s easy to get nostalgic, but I always do anyways!  I feel so thankful for the many friends and clients who have crossed my path this year. I still find it amazing that I’d be honored to enter into your lives and your homes to help make them special, beautiful, and practical for your family.  YOU truly are the greatest gift imaginable. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for allowing me that privilege. 

From my family to yours, we wish you a beautiful Christmas and a very, very happy new year!

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