vintage spaces
Ask a Pro
s I was creating a list of helpful tips for this issue of VintageKC my 6-year-old granddaughter, Ella, kept com- ing in to ask me questions. Finally, a little exasperated, I asked her quite sharply, “What are you doing?” Being the good kindergarten citizen she is trying to be, she said “I’m just trying to incorporate all my senses Grandma!” She’s right. That’s what I would suggest: Keep all five senses in mind when decorating for the holidays. Sight. Give your front door curb appeal. Make friends and fam- ily feel welcome. Take a little time to do some general cleaning. Move a couple of pieces of furniture to the basement to make room for the season. Make seasonal decorations as simple as you like—glue beautiful old Christmas cards to an elegant ribbon —make a bow at the top to hang on the front door. Or make them as elaborate as you dare—incorporate old lawn chairs, trees, that old plastic Santa, or a sleigh on your front porch to create that vignette people can enjoy when stopping by. Don’t be afraid to entertain; you don’t want to waste an opportunity to share the wonderful mood and feeling you’ve cre- ated. Entertaining can be something as small as a cup of coffee and slice of that pumpkin bread you made from Grandma’s recipe book or a full blown get-together with food, music, lights—as big as you want to make it. Touch, smell and taste. Create a mood with holiday acces- sories whatever your style may be—vintage, traditional, modern or minimalist. And make it personal. Layer decorations, using everything from branches off the evergreens in your yard, pine- cones, nuts, herbs, fabrics, ornaments, homemade cookies, old toys (blocks, trains, ice-skates). Mix them as you would that big pot of stew on a cold December night. Hearing. Welcome sounds create beautiful holiday memories, whether it’s by singing Christmas carols, playing holiday music, or hearing the squeals of delight from children as they jump from their beds to open gifts. Record a family dinner conversa- tion and play it back during your party. And if you see a family at the movies later on Christmas Day still in their pajamas say, “Hi!” That’s our family—and that’s a tradition we use for incorporating our senses for the holidays! Deb Vogler has been creating her own brand of Comfort by De- sign for more than 15 years. She deals with all aspects of design, from budgeting, to floor plans (renovation or new construction), to furniture, to color at her full-scale design firm. Have a desigin question for Deb? Send it to erin@vintagekcmag.com. -Deb Help! I don’t know how to decorate for the holidays and company! A
Decking the halls is a family affair in the Rigdon home, and every surface gets the royal treatment.
Visit Erica at her vintage store Charm in Martin City that she operates with her friend Shannon Myers. Stop by every third Thursday, Friday and Saturday and find your next treasure! Kim Antisdel is a writer, interior designer and sales rep. She is also a com- plete klutz that can crank out a killer cartwheel on demand. Her favorite place to write is curled up on the couch with her weiner dog and two cats fighting for a spot on her lap.
VintageKC / Winter 2012 23
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