TREE TOPPERS
Unique tree toppers can be created quickly, using a variety of items. For a tree topper that holds fond memories, search through old toys or Christmas decorations for items. For an elegant yet simple look, choose silk or dried greens, spraying them with metallic paint for added glitz. Or position a bow with streamers to the top of the tree, using a special ribbon to make the bow showy and glamorous. The traditional angle can be the crowning touch on a Christmas tree or the focal point on a mantel or side table. Made from crocheted doilies that are shaped with fabric stiffeners, you can make a delicate Victorian looking angle.
Here is a list of great tree toppers:
Twisted dried naturals, shooting out from the top of the tree, accent a contemporary decor.
Special toys or stuffed animals, secured with wire to the top of the tree, personalize a toy-theme tree.
Several stars, instead of the traditional single star, are secured to the upper branches of the tree.
Silk foliage add a dramatic touch to the treetop.
Cluster bows, wired back-to-back, make a quick tree topper3r. The steamers for the bows can be spiraled around the tree or tucked loosely into the branches.
Ornaments clustered on the treetop create a focal point.
A collection of Santas adds special chart to a Christmas tree.
A single nutcracker can be prominently displayed at the top of the tree.
ORNAMENTS
Victorian ornaments, such as paper fans and potpourri balls, bring a touch of nostalgia to the tree. Elegant paper fans made from bridal illusion and trimmed with embellishments and an romantic appeal.
Add a touch of glitz to your tree with a variety of golden and jewel-tone ornaments. Fill clear or luminescent balls with glittery tinsel. String clusters of small sleigh bells on wire and tie them with gold-trimmed bows. Or cover Styrofoam balls with fabric and trim them with braids to coordinate with the room decor.
Handcrafted snowmen are easily made by applying an artificial snow paste over a Styrofoam. Their fine features can be shaped from polymer clay, a modeling compound that can be oven baked. These tree ornaments an also be used to decorate packages and wreaths.
Bundles of cinnamon sticks, glued together and tied with ribbon, make quick, fragrant ornaments. Embellish the ribbon with a sprig of greenery.
Miniature dried rosebuds make delicate ornaments. Secure the rosebuds to a 2" Styrofoam ball. Leave space for pinning and gluing a ribbon hanger in place.
Paper twist and raffia make quick country ornaments. Wrap a 10" length of untwisted paper twist around a 2" Styrofoam ball, securing it with several pieces of raffia. Also secure raffia fro the hanger, using hot glue.
Cinnamon sticks and clothespins, paint like Santas for instance, are fun for all ages. Use nontoxic acrylic paints for the simple Santa faces; secure string or ribbon for hangers, using a drop of hot glue.
Clear plastic ball that snap together can be filled with cherished mementos to make special keepsake ornaments.
Small Santa sacks (cloth mini bags) filled with miniature toys make delightful ornaments.
Bundles of twigs, tied with jute or ribbon or raffia, make simple, rustic ornaments.
Embellish the ornament with greenery, berries and a small bird. Then spray it with an acrylic sealer.
Simple designs, applied with paint pens, can add extra sparkle to glass ornaments. Replace the wire hangers with bows of gold cording and ribbon.
TRIMMING THE TREE
Trimmings, such as garlands and bows, are available in an endless variety. These finishing touches unify the tree, even when several styles of ornaments are used together. Choose items that are in keeping with the color scheme and theme of the tree. Some trimmings work better for Victorian decorating styles, while others may be either whimsical, glitzy or rustic.
Wide ribbon can be wrapped loosely around the tree, spiraling from top to bottom.
Ornaments clustered in groups of three have more impace than single ornaments.
Streamers are made by wiring five strands of ribbon together, looping them at one end. Attach the wire to the top of the tree, letting the streamers fall freely, or tuck them lightly into the branches. Add dried fruits that are either purchased or made with a food dehydrator for the full country look.
Bows secured to branches with wire unify a tree with color and repetition.
Purchased trims, such as ruched paper or foil trim, can be strewn on branches as garland.
Tassels hung on the trips of branches have the look of traditional elegance.
Bridal illusions, English netting or other types of net can be tucked between branches or tied in the middle to give a bow affect, can fill in any bare areas.
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Monday, December 7, 2009
Decorating for Christmas
Decorations range from Victorian or gilded in style to whimsical. In many homes, family activities center around the handcrafting of decorations as children help mae simple ornaments and trim the tree. Often these handcrafted items vbecome treasured favorites.
Many holiday activities center around the table. For festive table settings, make handcrafted holida table linens and centerpieces. you may want to select a garland centerpiece for the dining room or kitchen table and everygreen spraysfor a buffet or side table.
Choose accessories to convey the holiday spirit throughout your home. Trim wreaths, garlands and topiary trees in traditional colors or coordinate them with teh dcecor of your home. Embellish easy-to-make Christmas stockings to create unique, treasured items. Scatter Santa sacks around the house or choose a snowman theme for a festive appearance. Recapture the quaintness of a winter scene by making a tiny village. If your feeling creative, you can make this from milk cartons and balso wood. If you're short on time and low on funds, inexpensive items can be purchased and are great for children of all ages to get their creative juices going.
Gift giving is an important part of the Holidays. Share your creativiity with personalized gift boxes and old Christmas cards. This makes the gift exta special and treasured by Grandma or Pop!
Start a new family tradition and have fun while making these with your family.
Many holiday activities center around the table. For festive table settings, make handcrafted holida table linens and centerpieces. you may want to select a garland centerpiece for the dining room or kitchen table and everygreen spraysfor a buffet or side table.
Choose accessories to convey the holiday spirit throughout your home. Trim wreaths, garlands and topiary trees in traditional colors or coordinate them with teh dcecor of your home. Embellish easy-to-make Christmas stockings to create unique, treasured items. Scatter Santa sacks around the house or choose a snowman theme for a festive appearance. Recapture the quaintness of a winter scene by making a tiny village. If your feeling creative, you can make this from milk cartons and balso wood. If you're short on time and low on funds, inexpensive items can be purchased and are great for children of all ages to get their creative juices going.
Gift giving is an important part of the Holidays. Share your creativiity with personalized gift boxes and old Christmas cards. This makes the gift exta special and treasured by Grandma or Pop!
Start a new family tradition and have fun while making these with your family.
Creating a Kitchen Design - Section One - Set Priorities
Design professionals interview their clients length at the beginning of a project. If you will be your own designer, do the same thing. Make notes of you and your family in the kitchen during typical meal preparation or any other kitchen-based activities. If your parties often spill into the kitchen, for instance, pay attention at your next party as to how difficult or east it is to interact with guests while you're cooking or serving. Is there enough room for opening the refrigerator door when someone passes behind you? Is there space on the countertop to set up a small, informal buffet or bar?
Note the different situations that typically interrupt or assist your work flow and traffic patterns. Is the aisle you use to reach the oven the same as the one used to walk from the back door into the house? Observe how many time you have to walk across the room for something.
If you consult with a professional, don't be put off by questions. Any good designer has to get to know your habits, likes and dislikes of the people who will live with the finished project. He or she wants to understand your basic requirements as well as your wildest dreams for the new kitchen.
A designer will also sketch the existing space to get an idea of what works and what doesn't. This rough drawing may include any adjacent areas that might be considered for expansion, such as a pantry or part of a hallway. A professional designer will also create a design layout of your new kitchen to help you visualize your dream. They can provide you with the size of the cabinets, exact placement and other information that will be useful in your project. Any changes can easily be made to suit the function you need as well as create the custom look you want. Designers usually charge a fee for their service, but their knowledge and perspective of this important project is extremely valuable and can eliminate costly mistakes when ordering your own cabinets.
Once again, if you act as your own designer, o the same thing. Talk to everyone in the household. Ask what they think needs improvement, as well as any aspects of the space as it exists that they prefer to retain.
For the best results, approach the project in the same calm, analytical manner as a professional, one who understands design and can be objective about what has to happen.
Next Blog - How to begin!
Note the different situations that typically interrupt or assist your work flow and traffic patterns. Is the aisle you use to reach the oven the same as the one used to walk from the back door into the house? Observe how many time you have to walk across the room for something.
If you consult with a professional, don't be put off by questions. Any good designer has to get to know your habits, likes and dislikes of the people who will live with the finished project. He or she wants to understand your basic requirements as well as your wildest dreams for the new kitchen.
A designer will also sketch the existing space to get an idea of what works and what doesn't. This rough drawing may include any adjacent areas that might be considered for expansion, such as a pantry or part of a hallway. A professional designer will also create a design layout of your new kitchen to help you visualize your dream. They can provide you with the size of the cabinets, exact placement and other information that will be useful in your project. Any changes can easily be made to suit the function you need as well as create the custom look you want. Designers usually charge a fee for their service, but their knowledge and perspective of this important project is extremely valuable and can eliminate costly mistakes when ordering your own cabinets.
Once again, if you act as your own designer, o the same thing. Talk to everyone in the household. Ask what they think needs improvement, as well as any aspects of the space as it exists that they prefer to retain.
For the best results, approach the project in the same calm, analytical manner as a professional, one who understands design and can be objective about what has to happen.
Next Blog - How to begin!
Creating A Kitchen Design - Overview
Of all the rooms in a house, kitchens present unique decorating challenges because so much tends to happen in these spaces. In addition to preparing meals, most families use kitchens as gathering and entertaining areas. Kitchens need to be functional, comfortable and inviting.
This one room has become so important, in fact, that prospective buyers consider it a primary factor in selecting a home. If you are thinking about remodeling the kitchen for resale purposes, you may get as much back as you invest - maybe more, depending on where you live. If you are like most people, however, your motivations are much more personal.
Wouldn't it be delightful to prepare a meal in a kitchen equipped with the latest appliances and configured to let you move effortlessly from refrigerator to sink to cooktop without tripping over the kids, the cat or your own feet? Imagine opening a cabinet without having to strain or empty the entire contents to find one small can. Picture a counter top that isn't a catchall for the mail, dry cleaning receipts, phone books, dog treats, antacids and all the rest of cabinet and drawer spillover. Think about enjoying breakfast in a cherry nook or eating quiet dinners in a space that isn't dark, dingy and cramped.
The place to start is with how you want the kitchen to work - for you and for every other member of your household. Function is the cornerstone of good kitchen design. A highly functional kitchen will not make you a master chef, but it will improve the quality of time you spend in the kitchen, which some experts say can be as much as 70% of your waking hours for the average person. With this in mind, remember: even the smallest remodeling job requires careful planning and forethought. You can greatly increase the efficiency of your kitchen by paying attention to the tiniest details and the smallest of spaces.
View our weekly blog for the next sections on making your dream kitchen come true:
Set Priorities
Basic Kitchen Layouts
Choosing Cabinets
Countertop Options
Selecting Fixtures
For more information, leave us your contact information.
This one room has become so important, in fact, that prospective buyers consider it a primary factor in selecting a home. If you are thinking about remodeling the kitchen for resale purposes, you may get as much back as you invest - maybe more, depending on where you live. If you are like most people, however, your motivations are much more personal.
Wouldn't it be delightful to prepare a meal in a kitchen equipped with the latest appliances and configured to let you move effortlessly from refrigerator to sink to cooktop without tripping over the kids, the cat or your own feet? Imagine opening a cabinet without having to strain or empty the entire contents to find one small can. Picture a counter top that isn't a catchall for the mail, dry cleaning receipts, phone books, dog treats, antacids and all the rest of cabinet and drawer spillover. Think about enjoying breakfast in a cherry nook or eating quiet dinners in a space that isn't dark, dingy and cramped.
The place to start is with how you want the kitchen to work - for you and for every other member of your household. Function is the cornerstone of good kitchen design. A highly functional kitchen will not make you a master chef, but it will improve the quality of time you spend in the kitchen, which some experts say can be as much as 70% of your waking hours for the average person. With this in mind, remember: even the smallest remodeling job requires careful planning and forethought. You can greatly increase the efficiency of your kitchen by paying attention to the tiniest details and the smallest of spaces.
View our weekly blog for the next sections on making your dream kitchen come true:
Set Priorities
Basic Kitchen Layouts
Choosing Cabinets
Countertop Options
Selecting Fixtures
For more information, leave us your contact information.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
CHF Background
After 25 years of experience, Christopher’s Home Fashions (CHF) a Charter Member of BAFU MDC, an all-Inclusive Design Center, was opened by Chris & Susan Hojnowski. CHF is a family owned business located in Manchester, Maryland. We assist the most discriminating clients with their floor covering needs, window treatment expectations, kitchen & bath products and design.Professionalism and a passion for color, style, design and proper installation are just some of the considerations when working with customers’ desires to create as new look for their home or office. Our attention to detail, quality products, professionalism and our experience goes hand in hand when working with our customers.We offer every customer over 25 years of interior decorating experience and product knowledge for their custom selections. We help them obtain the mood and feeling they want to create. We also offer our expertise in working with installers to help ease the installation process by working as a liaison with our excellent contractors and installers. We work directly with professional designers, builders and individuals.We offer a wide variety of brand name custom products such as, Wilsonart, Armstrong, Hunter Douglas, Top Knobs, Daltile, Mohawk, Bruce, Mirage, Karastan and many others
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