December 23, 2011

My Holiday Home

As I mentioned in my earlier blog, I am inspired this year to use a lighter color palette for my holiday decorating. For the past four or five years I’ve used mostly amber, copper, gold and brown color palette which was very rich and warm.

Yet like everyone else, my tastes also change and I wanted to lighten up my color palette. Over the summer I painted my living room in my silver color and used that as my background undertone for my new color palette.

I used silver in various tones, off white, champagne and a touch of light pink to create a winter wonderland.  Above is my mantel and I so love my new glittery silver reindeer with white mink collar piece that I found at Haley’s Cottage, in Kirkland WA.  I flocked both my wreath above the mantel and my tree to make it feel cool and snowy.

I used white & grey mesh wide fabric on the mantel to give it a light airy feel and a beautiful grey embroidered ribbon on the tree and a bow topper.  The tree is adorned with mixes of crystals, white glitter snowflakes, silver glitter reindeer and curly silver wisps to give the tree sparkle and sizzle!

Santa is also a new purchase this year as I fell in love with his beautiful cream and pink velvet coat and hat and his happy face.  A mix of ball ornaments in my color palette in a silver basket, silver votives and vases, a pink and white floral box and an angel ornament finishes off “Santa’s” table, which is next to my fireplace.

My home is on the smaller size and working with a lighter color palette keeps the mood bright and cheery.  I am excited to have friends over this weekend to enjoy it with me.

Happy Holidays!

December 9, 2011

Holiday Decorating – Sometimes Less is More

Are you feeling stressed and pressured to put together a perfect holiday setting in your home. Don’t go crazy! Sometimes less is more and with some simple personal touches your home can be festive, warm and inviting for the Holidays.

Here are some special items that I suggest you bring out every year, simple personal touches that everyone loves to see in a home during the holidays. Holiday photos, Holiday books, Holiday ornaments, Holiday candles, Holiday pillows and table linens. Use poinsetta’s to add a simple yet beautiful touch to your Holiday decor.

Pick up fresh greens to make the house smell like the holidays. I love working with pine cones and they too can be reused.
A fresh amaryllis or poinsettia plant always says Christmas and don’t forget the mistletoe.

Use pinecones, ornaments and branches in pots, urns or vases for a simple natural look.

Add nuts or fruit to bowls or vases for a natural and simple centerpiece.

Visit Authentic Home’s website for more inspiration and decorating ideas with color, paint and fabric. Happy Holidays!

November 17, 2011

10 Easy Holiday Decorating Tips from Kathy Banak

It’s that time of year to start preparing your home for the holidays. For many of us this time of year, October through December, goes by way too fast and we end up running around and stressing out with last minute home decorating and shopping that we rarely have time to enjoy the beauty of each season. So this year, how about you prepare your home and organize yourself now so you can enjoy each and every moment of the seasons with your friends and family.

The count down is now!

1. Get organized and make to do lists. Finalize which holiday will be at your home and for how many guests. Determine a decorating and entertaining budget and stick to it.

2. Stay with one theme and style for your holiday decorating. It makes shopping easier and your home more polished.

3. You still have plenty of time to paint one or several rooms. Determine a color palette that you want to live with after the holidays. Work with the undertones of your floor color and similar undertones of each room’s paint color. Authentic Home COLOR Paint™ is always a great choice. See our selections here.

4. Re arrange furniture so the focal point is the fireplace or if you don’t have a fireplace, arrange it to create a cozy layout for intimate conversations. Remove overstuffed pieces and replace with streamlined dining room chairs.

5. Bring the holiday celebration into every room. Decorate the kitchen and bathrooms with seasonal themed items or a grouping of candles with pine cones and ribbon on the bathroom countertop or kitchen shelves.

6. Update your older holiday items with a new color. I love working with silver, golds and amber colors for the holidays instead of the traditional red and green.  How about an entire room decorated in off white or amethyst or combinations of silver, robins egg blue and white this year?

7. Make it a family event by bringing nature inside this season. Pick pine cones, trim holly and seasonal greens and use them on your mantel piece or arrange in a large glass bowl. Incorporate gold or silver balls in all sizes, beaded garland or seasonal ribbons and you have a new mantel or centerpiece.

8. Stick with white lights instead of colored lights. Decorate an interior silk tree or birch branches with lights to bring a touch of the outdoor glisten inside.

9. Use lots of off white candles. Just like white lights, off white candles in all shapes and sizes are timeless and bring warmth and elegance to any room. Remember to group them in odd numbers. I always recommend using non scented candles as you never know who can be allergic to over bearing scents.

10. Enjoy the holiday sparkle in your home. When in doubt, go for it with more sparkle. It’s the holidays so take time to enjoy friends and family this holiday season!

For paint color consultations or to purchase our paint, contact Authentic Home today -
before your guests arrive!

November 2, 2011

Are you feeling overwhelmed just thinking about the Holidays?

Are you feeling overwhelmed just thinking about the holidays?

Let Authentic Home help get your home ready for all your holiday entertaining this year. $100 off a Color Consultation or Interior Design Invoice. Offer is available through December 15th 2011.  Visit our website, browse our portfolio of work.  Here’s a little inspiration for your holiday decorating AH article on 10 easy holiday decorating tips and then pick up the phone and call us at 206.937.3070 or email us at info@authentic-home.com to schedule your appointment today!