Best House Floor Plans

Now that Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years are over, it’s time to put those holiday decorations away. Smart storage complements holiday organization. Bid adieu to the usual holiday decorations and paraphernalia: 

• Swarvoski crystal
• Family heirloom tree decorations
• Menorah
• Pinecones
• Stocking
• Nutcrackers other statue
• Synthetic wreaths, garland
• Other embellishments
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Are the encasements that have been housing those Christmas and other holiday decorations deteriorating, ragged and frayed? Are all holiday paraphernalia maintained in accessible location?

One oversized container fixes the disorganization of packing and unpacking holiday decorations.

Here’s how:

Plastic Containers. One-size fits all –storage space is overwhelmingly underrated. The oversized transparent storage containers, as seen at Target and Wal-Mart–houses just about all the decorations. (These storage bins range between $5-10).

Christmas Tree and Lights. Starting with the Christmas tree lights, spool the lights around a square piece of plastic or cardboard. Secure the electrical plug-ins with tape.

If you have a synthetic tree, tuck it away in a dry zippered bag. For instance, if you are unable to find a storage bag large enough to hold all the parts, a downhill ski bag works too.

Holiday decorations. Find partitioned trays, which stack, store fit inside of your storage bi or plastic container. The spaces are the ultimate holiday decoration accommodations. Take tissue paper and wrap each decoration. Group items where appropriate. Delicate items, such as the Swarvoski crystal should be swathed in bubble wrap. Ziplock ® bags or plastic baggies are a storage idea made simple for pinecones and other loose holiday decorations.

If there’s additional space in the plastic storage bin, fold and add the tree-dress and the seasonal tablecloth, place between a layer of decorations and lights.

In the interim, tidy up and re-arrange regular decorative embellishments for a new look in 2010.

Other Holiday decorations: Fall Fun: Nature’ Color Festival

Beyond the front door wreath and Christmas tree, certain holiday party decorations are reminiscent of the scents, scenes and sounds of the season. Here is a recipe for decorating the home for a holiday party.

The Supply List

• Bough of Holly
• Candy canes
• Cinnamon sticks
• Crystal bowls
• Frankincense
• Gold and silver spray paint
• Mistletoe
• Myrrh
• Orange peel
• Pinecones
• Red or green bows
• Three to four strings of Christmas lights
• Votive candles

 The Smells

In 5-quart pan, boil 2-quarts of water with cinnamon sticks, lemon and orange peels, until the aroma fills the air. As an alternate, burn myrrh and frankincense.

 The Sights

Bedeck it in crystal. From Swarovski to Waterford, crystal adornments twinkle. Introducing an element of depth. Fill the crystal with

 Throughout the living room, and kitchen dress up vases with the varied sized bows. Affix to the exterior of vases, candles holders carafes and other accessories.

Take 30 to 40 pinecones. Spray paint them in gold or silver. Affix a fishing hook and hang on the tree.

As an alternate holiday decoration idea: Do not spray the pinecones, but arrange in a crystal bowl and mix with evergreen branches.

Candy canes and various sized bows are inexpensive and simple ways to decorate the home. On the Christmas tree, bows fill in where other tree decorations are lacking. Candy canes make for another tree adornment. As an alternate hang candy canes around the parameter of a crystal bowl.

Display votive candles throughout the home to capture and accentuate the sparkling crystal features.

 Select the hues of the season: crimson, evergreen, and gold. Embellish the home with objects that make the home shimmer and glisten.

Punctuate entryways with a strand of Christmas holiday.

 Introduce other natural elements, such as boughs of holly, mistletoe and evergreen twigs.

 The Sounds

Right before the guests arrive, turn on the fireplace. And sync the sounds of the season in tune with your holiday party decorations.

Related Articles:

• Heating and Tree Safety
• Safety Tips for Holiday Home

Winterizing the home is a chore that no one likes to do. But, it goes far in conserving on the energy bill, shutting out chilly temperatures and reducing the carbon footprint.  Best House Floor Plans compiled a short list of winterizing tactics to keep the home buzzing with warm efficiency:

Plastic wrap

Cover windows and storm doors with a sheet of plastic, designed to maintain insulation.

Caulk

If certain areas of the home are drafty or feel cooler than other rooms,  investigate the source of the chill. Windows and doors are notorious for developing miniscule cracks, which impede the energy efficiency of the home.  Caulk cracks around doors and windows.

Drainage

Be sure to insulate any exposed pipes and drain all backyard hoses The aforementioned steps can prevent pipes from freezing. In case of an emergency situation, in which the water mains have to shutdown, it’s a commonsensical idea to reacquaint yourself with the location.  
 

Furnace

About every three to four years, have the furnace duct cleaned. To assure clean air quality, do not forget to change the filter to the furnace, monthly. Also, shop around for a special blanket to keep the hot water heater functioning properly.

Insulate

In the northern states, where winter temperatures plummet below freezing, extra insulation is beneficial for the prevention of ice dams around downspouts and gutters. Consider insulating any overhead crawlspaces and attics.
 

Fireplace

While fireplaces render ambient warmth, there are several safety steps to heat up the winter season. Hire a contractor to inspect the hearth’s brick and mortar as well as the damper. During maintenance, have the contractor clean the chimney. (Remember to store firewood in a dry space, outdoors).

On a final note, make sure that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are in working order. At House Plans and More.com, read additional details pertaining to winterizing the home. 

Related topic:

• Child Proofing

A large part of home design and making the space your own is in the decorating.  Now is the time of year for decorating your home indoors and out for the holiday season.  A big part of the tradition in many homes is bringing home the Christmas tree to decorate.  While natural Christmas trees can make your whole house feel festive with yuletide cheer, they can also be a risk for your home and those in it if not maintained properly.  A recent post on “Heating and Your Christmas Tree” on the Hoffman Brothers blog gives the following tips on Christmas Tree Safety for your home this season:

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

• Have the tree trunk and branches trimmed at the nursery, approximately 1.5 to 2-inches

• Place the Christmas tree in a stand, which accommodates water

• To prevent fire do not position the tree near any type of heating system: radiator, kerosene / electrical heaters, and fireplace

• Situate the Christmas tree in a cool room or space (heated rooms tend to dry trees out)

• Don’t forget to fill the tree stand with ample water

Following these simple tips will help keep your home safe and your Christmas tree green.  To keep your house green by saving energy this holiday season don’t forget to keep your furnace filters clean and to have your heating system serviced.

Related home design tips articles:

Inspiring a Hospitable Entryway

More Design Tips

Keeping the Laundry Room and Mudroom Green

Interior design tip: Setting the dining table for elegance

Setting, the dining room table for a dinner party calls for a recipe of elegance. Refer to the table on the right to compile the ingredients list and use the tips below to bring a sumptuous dining room table to life.

The Motif
Select hues reflecting the motif of your dinner party. Make sure that the colors concur with your dinnerware. To minimize colors and introduce other textures, opt for napkin ring holders made of wood, metal or beads.

The Centerpiece
A bouquet of flowers, arranged in a crystal or other decorative vase is the centerpiece for an elegant dining room table. (If possible, try to create a floral arrangement that matches the place settings). The wine decanter, candles and candleholders are supporting roles of the centerpiece. To create symmetry, the candles height should not exceed the height of the flower bouquet.

Alternate floral arrangement idea: Bunch several different herbs of thyme, rosemary and lavender into two to three different matching tall glasses.

The Place settings

Silverware
The meat fork is to the immediate right of the plate, followed by the fish knife and then the soupspoon (knife blades facing inward, toward the plate). The main fork dish is to the plate’s left and then the salad fork. (The napkin can be folded and placed in the center of the plate).

Glasses
Place the glassware above the knives. The water glass is positioned directly above the meat knife. Situated at a diagonal angle, the red wine glass is situated at the right of the water glass.

And from there, let your imagination take hold of your elegant dining room table.

Ingredients needed for the Elegant Dining Table

•    Dining room set  (table and chairs)
•    White or any colored linen tablecloth
•    Several pairs of matching napkins
•    Napkin rings/holders
•    Porcelain or ceramic dinner ware
•    Water glasses
•    Wine glasses or other stemmed glasses
•    Silverware
•    Candleholders
•    Matching candles
•    Vase or decorative container
•    Bouquet of flowers
•    Crystal Wine Decanter (optional)
•    Silver or crystal Salt and peppershakers

Related Articles:

How To Decorate A Dining Room With Candles

Elegant Dining Room Furniture

How To Decorate a Dining Room