It is often declared that this is the most wonderful time of the year. But in between the shopping, baking, and fa-la-la-la-la-ing, making your own space a little more magical can feel like monumental task.
Longtime friends and Chick-fil-A designers Alison O’Rourke and Allison Maucere, affectionately called "The Allisons," are here to help. This Christmas season, as experts for our five-part Home for the Holidays series, they’ll share their decorating know-how for transforming any home into an elegant-yet-attainable winter wonderland that is both comfortable and magazine-lovely.
“Making your home beautiful for the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.”
“Making your home beautiful for the holidays doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive," shares O’Rourke. “There’s a few key areas to decorate and a few key design principles to remember. But what’s more important than the style is remembering the people who will enjoy it.”
The first step:
“A gorgeous wreath,” says Maucere. “Your front door is the first impression for family and friends. The trick to the perfect wreath is making it proportional to the size of your door, using different textures, and personalizing it.”
To make a modern woodsy wreath, you’ll need:
- Wreath base, 18-24” recommended
- 2 faux long-needle pine branches
- 1 faux fern sprig
- 1 faux red berry sprig
- Wooden letter
- Gold spray paint
- Hot glue gun or epoxy
- Scissors
Step 1: Spray paint the wooden letter. Allow it to dry.
Step 2: Meanwhile, play around with the placement of your faux plants before gluing. To make the wreath appear full, aim to cover half to three-fourths of the wreath base. Place the larger branches on the bottom, then layer the smaller pieces on top to create depth and texture. Trim the plants to your liking.
Step 3: Glue the larger branches to the wreath base. Be sure to glue each branch at enough points to keep it stable once the wreath is hung. (Note: The Allisons recommend hot glue because it dries quickly and holds firmly. If you do not own a hot glue gun, epoxy works too. Just allow the wreath to dry overnight.)
Step 4: Glue the smaller pieces and the gold letter.
Step 5: Hang and enjoy!
Next: The Allisons show how to make a whimsical winter mantel in Part Two of our Home for the Holidays series.
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