As we step into December, it’s time to decorate the outside of our homes for the upcoming holiday. When I was young, we had a family tradition that my mother created, who was fun, and an out-of-the-box decorator. Each Christmas there was a life-sized Santa on a candy cane painted ladder crawling in the window of our second story home. On the roof, there was an elf hanging over the ledge (yes, my father would go up on the roof to hang) with spotlights. It was the highlight of our outdoor decor, and I remember people driving and walking by to take a look. I would encourage you to have fun with your outdoor holiday decorating, and do the unexpected! Do something unique that your family would enjoy and create a new tradition that everyone will remember!
Tag Archives: holiday
Fun Facts about July 4th
In honor of July 4th, I wanted to do something different and offer tidbits of interesting information that you can share with your friends or family over BBQ!
Is Your Home Ready for Guests?
As we head into December, you may have guests arriving and parties to host. To help you create the best experience possible for your visitors I have detailed some ways to freshen up a room and get your guest room ready.
Create a fresh entertainment area!
Why not do a quick change up in your entertainment area and add a pop of unexpected color! Pops of color can add interest, excitement, and ground color schemes in a room.
Is your guest room ready?
My suggestion is to walk into your guest room and try to view it from the eye of the visitor. Is it fresh smelling? Is there a place to put luggage, a place to plug in electronics for recharging, and a place to sit?
If you want to create a fresh look quickly without spending a fortune:
- Add a soft and cozy throw to the foot of the bed and a fun textured fur pillow.
- If your guest room does not have bedside tables or lamps, be creative and walk around your house and see if there is a table or lamp that can be used! Even if it is only temporary! Make sure to add appropriately sized lamps. When sitting in bed, the bottom of the lampshade should be at the top of your ear. Make sure lampshades and light bulbs match. I love using white or cream shades as they diffuse the best light in the room.
- If you find a great table or lamp base and it is the wrong color SPRAY PAINT them! Rustoleum Primer & Paint Spray paint is fabulous at resurrecting items and adding an unexpected pop of color to a room.
To ensure that your guests have a fabulous stay, click here for a 15-item checklist.
I hope these tips help you and you have fun decorating your home! If you need any help pulling together some rooms in your home, please 
call 610.955.8202 or email, and we would love to help you get started!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz, Google+ and Instagram.
Time Saving Tips for the Holidays
I know your life is very busy right now and I wanted to offer some last minute time-saving tips to help ease some of the holiday stress you may be feeling. Enjoy!
Gift Wrapping and Bow Making
Most large stores have gift wrapping areas, always ask for a gift box and wrapping options it could save you time in the long run. King of Prussia Mall has an area just for gift wrapping, click here to learn about its location.
Creative wrapping ideas:
Easy and Festive Appetizers
- Melon, Proscuitto and Mozzarella Skewers
- Cheese Platter with Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Salsa
- Honey & Pistachio Goat Cheese Appetizer (or try any sweet preserves you have on hand)
Shortcuts
- Not up for cooking or preparing? Outsource! Both Wegmans and Whole Foods can cater what you want!
- Purchase an already arranged bouquet at your local grocery store add a lovely ribbon and use as a hostess gift.
- 5 Holiday Appetizer Table Decorating Tips
- If you have guests arriving this week, click here for tips to get your Guest Room ready including a checklist of things you may have forgotten.
- Unsure how to set the table correctly, click here for tips from an expert!
I hope your week goes smoothly and you have a fantastic holiday celebration with your friends and loved ones!
For all your home decorating, paint consultation, home staging, or training needs give me a call 610.955.8202 or email. I look forward to working with you soon!
Home Decorating for the Holidays
Welcome to the beautiful month of December! On the east coast, this time of year always brings a variety of weather from surprisingly warm temperatures to ice and snow. Regardless, I wanted to offer you some decorating tips to help you create lovely home décor through this holiday season.
If you are planning to have a holiday tree, there are a variety of different ideas for large trees, small trees, table top trees, anything you could imagine! If you are looking to purchase multiple trees, consider visiting Produce Junction which has various locations in PA and DE where you can pick up trees for as low as $35! For tree decorating ideas, go to one of the following links to be inspired: HGTV, Country Living, or House Beautiful.
If you are looking for instructions on how to add beautiful ribbon to your tree, click here to view a video. It’s not as complicated as I thought!
I love the idea of creating a decorating theme that can easily be transformed into a “winter” theme. Since we are dealing with winter through February, it is good to keep the sparkle and shine of this season through the winter months. The best way to do that is to use a color that will sparkle! Choose from one of the metal tones, silver, gold, or bronze. Krylon offers high gloss metallic paints for wood, metal, glass, or plastic! You can usually find it at your local craft store or online. Create a winter wonderland look by integrating snowflakes, frosted glass and various lights. Use fairy lights that have timers and incorporate them anywhere to add light. To create your magical winter wonderland, combine elements from the outside using pine cones, branches, and other organic materials. Layer the sparkle of metal, with white, or a beautiful velvet or faux fur in pillows and a throw that will last you through the winter in comfort and beauty!
If you are looking for ideas on how to decorate your mantel, check out my Pinterest board by clicking here.
Have fun getting your home ready this holiday and winter season! Also, be mindful to keep your pets safe! Click here to view some safety tips from PetMD. If you need help getting your guest room ready, or any room in your home before guests arrive, give me a call 610.955.8202 or email to set up your consultation today!
My first Interior Redesign & Home Staging class of 2017 is a high-demand split weekend course, February 17-19, 25, 26. If you or if you know of someone who loves home decorating, working with color and would like to learn more about the techniques of design for personal enhancement, to supplement your realtor career, or to start your business click here to find out more.
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz , Google+ and Instagram.
What to do this Holiday Season
As we go from November to December, I wanted to help you out with fun activities available in the Philadelphia and surrounding areas. There’s nothing worse than having a household of family or visitors and not sure what to do! To help you I’ve put together a fun activity checklist, enjoy:
Fun for anyone:
- See a Movie and have dinner at the Movie Tavern in Exton
- Ice Skating: Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park or Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing
- Christmas Village at City Hall
- Macy’s Christmas Light Show
- Comcast Holiday Spectacular-Free 15 min show that runs at the top of the hour from 10 am to 8 pm.
- Longwood Gardens Christmas
- Attend an event at Terrain in Glen Mills, PA that offers a variety of classes.
Fun things to do with kids:
- A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place
- PA Ballet The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music
- Hershey Park Christmas Candylane
- Paint your own pottery – what a great gift idea – at The Painted Plate in West Chester, PA.
Looking for an adult activity that has nothing to do with a holiday? Take a cooking class:
Sur La Table in King of Prussia, PA or Kitchen Workshop in Paoli, PA.
I hope this quick list helps you out in your time of need when everyone is complaining about being bored! If you need help with getting your house ready for visitors, give me a call 610.955.8202 or email to set up your consultation!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
5 Holiday Appetizer Table Decorating Tips
Are you planning a holiday get together? Appetizers and cocktails? Don’t forget to decorate your appetizer table! Here are a few tips:
- Start with a tablecloth. A tablecloth will help with clean up, protect your table, and offer a uniform backdrop for your appetizer display. I have seen people place craft paper, that you can purchase in a roll at any craft or office supplies store, on top of the table cloth and write the names of the appetizers or if you are serving different cheeses you can write the types of cheese. The beautiful thing about this idea is that you can be as fancy as your artistic ability wants to go!
- I suggest you plan out the placement of your appetizers ahead of time. If you have any hot appetizers that will need to be in a crock pot or chafing dish, you will want to protect your table from heat. Plan the position of power cords or extension cords to prevent any mishaps.
- Add varied heights to your display. By adding multiple heights, you can fit more on the table and make the presentation attractive. Use cake or plate stands, or any plate and bowl combination that you own. Be creative with this process and have some fun! You can place a bowl upside down and place a plate on top of that to create instant height. Depending on the base container, you can continue adding additional bowls and plates, going from a larger base to a smaller top creating an overall cone shape.
- Add holiday color and decorations! I suggest avoiding burning candles on the appetizer table and use battery-operated options or lanterns where the flame is concealed.
- If you are looking for a few appetizers and either are not interested in making them or have run out of time, I found a fabulous post detailing some yummy Trader Joe’s appetizers, click here to view. Or if you wish to see some new ideas that can be made in 25 minutes or less from Better Homes and Garden click here.
Happy holiday decorating, enjoy your holiday parties, planning, and season!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
Decorating Your Dining Room for the Holidays
It’s not too early to figure out your dining room holiday decorations and dinner plan. Defining what you need and what you plan to do now will help eliminate unnecessary last-minute stresses for your holiday dinner.
Come up with a Plan
I always suggest laying all of your serving utensils and settings to determine what you may need and what space you have to decorate on your dining room table. Adding a centerpiece to your holiday table offers seasonal fun, perhaps a splash of sparkle, or simply colors that you love and want to accentuate.
Centerpiece Ideas
The centerpiece may be as elaborate or simple as you prefer and anyone can create a beautiful look. I have put together a Pinterest board of centerpiece and dining room holiday decorating ideas, click here to be inspired!
Keep in mind that you will not want to block the guest in front of you; therefore, be mindful of the height of the arrangement. By doing a trial table setting run it will be clear how much space you have. Also, take into consideration the width of your centerpiece you want to be able to place the necessary serving items on your table.
It’s easy to add height to your centerpiece or arrangement by using tall wine glasses or glass vases, items you already have at home! Add fresh cranberries and candles with corresponding colored ornaments along with greenery cuttings (from your florist, grocery store, or yard) and you have a complete centerpiece! Note, if you plan to use fresh flowers be sure to purchase flowers that are not too fragrant that will compete with the yummy scent of the meal.
Tip: If you have a very long table and don’t want to break your budget on a centerpiece, I have a fantastic tip to help you double the sparkle on your table. You have heard that adding a mirror to a room helps give the illusion of space and light? Apply the same rule to your table! Go to your local Home Depot (or home store) and purchase a pack of (generally six) 12×12 mirror tiles. Place the tiles down the center of the table where you can put candles directly on the mirror with cuttings and ornaments, and you have a sparkly, light-enhancing centerpiece!
If you need help trying to decide how to set your table, click here to get advice from Emily Post on a basic, informal, or formal table setting.
It will feel great to check the Dining Room Plan off your holiday checklist! Be sure to stock up on all of your non-perishables this week and next. You want to plan to purchase only your fresh items the week of your big dinner! Have fun and enjoy this glorious time of year!
For all your redesign, color selection, or home staging needs call Debbie 610.955.8202!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
(Name of Zigzag Mountain Art, Shutterstock.com)
Holiday Mantel Decorating Tips
I love the beginning of December and all of the beautiful holiday decorations that you see around you. Most of all I love decorating for the holidays! In this spirit of the season, I wanted to offer some tips to help you decorate your mantel for the holiday. If you don’t have a fireplace mantel, these tips can be used on any side table, buffet, piano top or any table top you wish to decorate. You can keep your decorating simple or go all out! Embrace the things and colors that you love and incorporate them into your decorating this holiday.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Pack Things Away
You need to make room for your beautiful holiday decorations. I encourage everyone to remove everything from their mantel or table top and pack away extra items that will not be used or will clutter your holiday decorations. Keep in mind it’s best to start with a focal point of interest, so the eye settles where you want it to go. Start your holiday decorating building from the largest accessories to the smallest. Don’t be afraid to try new arrangements and move things around.
Pick Your Color Theme
Select any color design you want this holiday. I always recommend that you stick with a theme and go with a couple of colors and a complementary metal tone for sparkle or use glass accessories.
Consider Height and Size
Play with the height of the items you have to display. You will want to decide how you would like to group your items. If you are using any garland, you will want to consider how it will fit in with your items. Possible accessories are mirrors, a holiday sign with a beautiful phrase, artwork, candles, ornaments, and beautiful hurricanes. For attractive hurricane options from Pier 1, click here to view.
Always stand back and see how your display is looking and if it appears balanced to you. Notice if you have too many small items that cannot be seen. You could use your heavier, taller items on the ends to hold garland on the mantel, adding your shorter pieces toward the center.
Helpful tip: Use 3M Command Hooks to attach items to your mantel or wall so that they can be removed when the holidays are over. Click here to view ideas and options.
If you need ideas or inspiration, click here to check out the Pinterest board that I set up for you! Happy Decorating!
For all your home redesign, home staging, or color selection needs contact Debbie at 610.955.8202! To view Debbie’s 2016 Interior Redesign and Home Staging Training schedule, click here.
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
(Photo attribution: Shutterstock)
Tips for Getting Ready for Thanksgiving
Since Thanksgiving is a couple of weeks away, I wanted to send you some tips to help ease your stress and assist you in creating a beautiful day!
Planning the Meal
Thanksgiving is a time of traditions and old recipes. If you are fortunate to have tried-and-true family recipes, meal planning will be straight-forward. For all of those who have never done a large Thanksgiving meal or would like to try my suggestion is to use a tool such as this one, click here, from Epicurious that will help you with your meal plan. You will want to plan on one pound of turkey per person. I would suggest adding more to that figure if you plan to have leftovers! To understand thawing time, if you are purchasing a frozen turkey, click here.
Click here for a former post of mine with fabulous last minute tips titled, “Count Down to Thanksgiving.”
Unsure what type of wine to pair with your meal? Click here for some tips from BHG.com to get some ideas. I always recommend having non-alcoholic drink options available. For some tasty ideas, click here.
Decorate the Table
I love the look of layering beautiful items such as a table cloth, placement or charger, and dinner plate. Use the items that you own and pull out that special china or dish from past generations or friends. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your items, try to tie together with matching placements or chargers.
Looking to set a casual table? Check out a very easy idea, using all white, from Martha Stewart by clicking here.
Create place cards. These can be plain or fancy, in fact, I like to get the kids involved with this activity as it keeps them busy and it can be their contribution to the Thanksgiving meal.
Create a center piece! The center piece does not require that you blow your budget! You can use beautiful berries, gourds, and cuttings from the outdoors. I love this idea where they used vegetables, click here to view.
If you are unsure where things go on the table, click here for some instruction from Emily Post. Please note, there is no space for a cell phone!
If you need some decorating inspiration and tips, click here to view my Pinterest Board! Make a list and plan out your days, and assign jobs to friends and family! Creating a plan will ensure a less hectic day for you and everyone! Happy planning!
For all your home decorating, color choices and home staging needs give Debbie a call 610.955.8202!
By Debbie Correale, founder and owner of Redesign Right, LLC. You can learn more about her at www.RedesignRight.com. Find her on Facebook.com/RedesignRight, Twitter @RedesignRight, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Houzz and Google+.
(Photo from Shutterstock.)
