Two Christmases

I just finished decorating two houses for Christmas; two very different houses. The interesting thing is that both of these clients asked me to keep it edited - to not use 'everything' and instead select just what I want to use. One actually used the word 'simple'. I love that. I smile as I write this because that is what I do best - simple! But sometimes keeping things edited takes just as much time (and sometimes even more) than putting out a lot of decorations.

In both houses I went through all the decorations they had and selected what I wanted to use and put together a series of vignettes. A few bulbs here and there, some grouped together, and candles. A lot of candles.

This year's Christmas card featured on the front entry piece

In the first house, a more grown up home with married children and one away at college, I used primarily silver and gold and some green. Elegant and sophisticated with just a sprinkling of color. 

In the second house, a lively home filled with young children I used a lot more color. What is great is that the majority of the balls in the house with the young children are all plastic ... but don't they look great?

A colorful display for the front entry piece

A lot of what I can do depends on what ornaments and colors I have to work with when I am decorating for someone else. And while it is obvious that my style will be reflected in what I do, I think it is important to make sure that their personality comes out in the end result. I think that both these houses do just that and I really love the way they both turned out!