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Festive outdoor lighting

It already gets dark early in the middle of November, so we can begin to decorate our balconies, houses and gardens with light garlands. The simplest method is to fix the tensed fairy lights to the rail or the drip, or wrap it around trees, shrubs and the pergola. It will look nice, however, we can be more creative.
Let’s buy glass or plastic LED luminous globes in different sizes. These fit very well in an urn shaped pot and a bird bath. But they can be also placed alongside the garden path. We can even make them by ourselves using old globe lampshades. Put the lights in it and seal it with a proper sized tin can at the socket. This latter can be used as a stand for stability, but we can transform it to a huge Christmas ball ornament by turning it upside down and fix a bigger hook in it.
Let’s use the hanging wicker baskets which held flowers in the summer. Pad it with light garlands with pulling out the small lights on the holes of it. Cover it with cotton wool and maybe fill it with glass ball ornaments. Hang it to its place where it was in summer. It will be a cozy sight.
If there is a human or animal shaped sculpture in the garden, it can be decorated with light garland. The garland should be formed spherical by looping it throughout itself for keeping the shape. Place it in the hands or at the feet of the statue as if it was played with.
Let’s make artificial icicles until there are no real ones. Cut the legs of some nylon stockings. Fill it with cotton wool with placing the light garland among it. Sew it at the top. Hang it under the roof, near the front door or on the patio, preferably protected from rain because cotton wool sucks water quickly.
It’s important to use only outdoor, waterproof light garlands for safety! Ask for help of an interior designer for planning the festive outdoor lighting.

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Old postcards 8.

Carnival costumes on old illustrations

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Thomas Kinkade 4.

Selection of Thomas Kinkade’s winter cityscapes

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Old postcards 7.

New Year on old postcards

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Old postcards 6.

Christmas on old postcards

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Wrapping presents

For most of us, the last step of preparing for Christmas is wrapping the presents. We would like to do it neatly and nicely just like as we have decorated our home. Here are some classic, wrapping ideas without cliché.
Using gift boxes and bags is the fastest but showy wrapping method. They are available in variable sizes, patterns and styles. The box can be made of metal or cardboard. It is an additional decoration to tie it with a ribbon. In the case of a bag, take care for its quality, not to torn because of the weight of the present.
Using simple brown wrapping paper, mould-made paper, newspaper or music paper fits well for rustic or vintage Christmas decor. The plain ones can be decorated by hand-made painting, stickers or prints but they look good without patterns also. Pop it up with adding a nice ribbon, a unique card, a pine branch or crops.
Imitating the snowy landscape inside, we can wrap the presents in wateline. The soft material can be easily used for presents in any shape and size. Tie it with a simple white ribbon, lace or raffia for keeping the natural effect.
Using the leftover wallpapers and fabrics as wrapping materials is a clever idea. They give varied patterns and colors for the Christmas mood. The scene can be unified by binding them with ribbons in similar color and size and the name cards are similar also.
If complete similarity is required to the Christmas decoration of the home, choose a wrapping paper fitting in color for the Christmas tree. Wrap all the presents in this and the ribbons has to be the same as one of the colors of the interior and place them under the tree.
Ask for help of a style adviser in time for choosing the tools for wrapping the presents, achieving the perfect harmony in Christmas decoration.

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Table centerpiece 3.

Christmas table centerpiece ideas

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Mountain chalet style

Ski season is coming soon and many people travel to the near mountains to enjoy the fun and sport opportunities provided by winter. Rentable mountain chalets are also popular beside hotels. In both cases, we meet with characteristic mood and interior design.
Wood and quarry stone are the most determinative of the materials used. The very knotted pattern of pine planks and beams is highlighted much more by lacquering and burnishing. In the case of other wood types, nervure has bigger role and can be more spectacular by it. The stone fireplace or stone decorated main wall gives the basic mood. Its colors have a wide range from grey to brown. The two extremities can be mixed, so the outcome will be more natural and colorful.
Upholstered furniture provides warmth to the space. This softness is needed beside the wooden walls, beamed roofing and huge windows. The color palette is mostly warm. Fabrics should be thicker but soft. Checkered pattern also fits for mountain chalet style, beside plains. Craftsmanship-like patterns of cushions and blankets add a twist to the total effect. A blanket and a smaller rug made of fur gives us the feel of warmth. The big leather armchair near the fireplace will be a perfect reading nook. (Bio-ethanol fireplace can be placed in any kind of flat/house.) Let’s put characteristic alpine heart-back wooden chairs beside the wooden table in the kitchen/dining area for the desired rustic mood. For more elegant look, upholstered chairs are better. Quarry stone can be used for tiling the bathroom also.
Chandelier and wall scones made of antlers, faux trophies, landscapes, candles, knitted things, antique tools and skis are perfect decoration elements. Use colors specific to the style: browns, warm grays, warm whites, cherry red, darker greens, beige, dark blue, cream. The patchwork blanket and home slippers at the foot of the bed will be an inviting sight.
Ask for help of an interior designer for enjoying the mood of a mountain chalet not only during the ski tour but even in the whole year, in your own home.

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Old postcards 5.

Santa Claus on old postcards

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Santa Claus

6th of December is coming soon, Hungarian children are waiting Santa Claus (or Father Christmas). The origin of the feast is connected to Saint Nicholas who gave presents to his neighbor’s children, as to the tale. Starting from this legend, Santa Claus was illustrated as an old man in coarse clothes with mitre, who lived in Heaven and watched children from there. His assistants were buffers, angels or elves.
This picture and the feast itself changed in the 20th century and became global – it is said that the Santa Claus illustration of Coca Cola became well known worldwide. The assistants disappeared beside him. His figure came to stay: white hair-moustache-beard, red clothes with belt, boots, big red sack, big tummy and smiling face. His person separated from the saint, although he is frequently called Nicholas in Hungary, the Father Christmas name is rather in use. (He is Santa Claus in Anglo-Saxon countries, Joulupukki in Finland, Nikolaus in German speech areas and Gyed Maroz in Russia). According to the new background story, he lives in the North Pole, his toy- and present making factory is also there, where elves are working. His sleigh is pulled by nine reindeers with which he can even fly. Children write letters to him before Christmas about the desired presents.
The date of presenting in Hungary is still 6th of December, day of Nicholas. He puts presents for good children and rods for bad children in the cleaned boots and shoes under the cover of night. He goes around the world during the night of Christmas and hands out the presents according to traditions of other countries which he puts under the Christmas tree or in the hung stockings after crawling in through the chimney. The bad gets coals instead of rods in Anglo-Saxon countries.
Decorate our home with Christmas ornaments even to this feast getting moody surprises by the presents in the morning. Ask for help of an interior designer for choosing the decoration fit for your home.

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