So why is it that the most wonderful time of the year can also be the most stressful time of the year?!
Now, nothing can compare with what we have all traversed these last two years, but even with modified holidays, all the responsibilities can really add up!
We are here to help you destress and actually enjoy these days ahead, at least from a decorating standpoint! So sit back with your favorite cup of tea and relax, and then relax some more!
In our family everyone pitches in. I wish I could say we were organized enough to have lists (and if it were up to my daughter, we would, and be the better for it!). The point is, your friends and family are your best resource, so use them!
From an early age (like 3), our kids had a hand in Thanksgiving and Christmas decorating and meals. The joy and sense of pride on their face far outweighed the mess. One year everyone made their favorite dish for Thanksgiving. We dined on tuna fish sandwiches, chocolate souffles, and spaghetti as we giggled our way through our meal. A memory none of us will ever forget! Asking for help can feel vulnerable, but it can be a very valuable lesson for your kids to learn, so think of lightening the load as a gift to yourself and your family!
Getting as much as you can out of your decor is the name of the game. You might spend hours setting up and taking it down, so make it work as hard as you do!
Make sure that fall decor can slip comfortably into Halloween with a few ghoulish substitutions. After Halloween, swap out the ghosts for the gourds and add just a few more sparkling embellishments in autumn shades of gold, orange, and green. We are notorious around our house for lots of sparkly garland and bobbles that blur the lines from holiday to holiday.
When December rolls around, think outside of the box by leaving up those sparkling colors and adding blues , whites and silvers. This all creates a layering effect that takes minutes to add and subtract.
If you are the type that decorates all year long, in January pull out everything but the blue, white, and silver and you have a winter wonderland until the spring!
Not everyone has room for a tree or celebrates with a tree. But that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate as if you had one. These fun Un-Tree ideas use mantels, shelves, boxes, books and even a wall. We incorporated many of these ideas into our Holiday House Tours to show folks just how easy it is to Un-Tree your holiday. And while we are on the subject of unusual trees, this was one of our all time favorites. This stunning modern interpretation of a tree actually accordions up and down and fits flat into a small box. The result was totally stunning and even though it takes some time to set up, it was almost a meditative experience!
We talk a lot about the power of scent around here. It’s your most powerful sense and for good reason! Scent is a very strong trigger for memory. I bet you can remember the smell of a card catalog (I’m totally dating myself!) or a pink eraser, honeysuckle on a warm evening or even a hospital stay.
The easiest ( and on of the most beneficial) way to bring the holidays home is with scent.
Whether it’s with a soy or coconut candle, fresh greens and flowers, or a diffuser, it’s one of the easiest and memory invoking holiday decor ideas!
Mood boosting hack? Smelling lemons has been proven to enhance mood and well being, so having a few around during the holidays can be good for everyone!
I know it sounds counter intuitive, but during the holiday season it’s oh so important to schedule time to renew, recharge and reflect on what’s really important. Keep up with your rituals such as morning Sun Salutations, your favorite beverage, meditation, reading and journaling (ok those might be my morning rituals, but you get the point!). These soul enriching routines can help to center the hectic and unpredictable days ahead.
Make sure you walk it off. Keep to your exercise regime and think about adding some yoga. Yoga Nidra and Restorative Yoga can be just what the holiday doctor recommended. If you aren’t feeling comfortable in a class yet, check to see if your local town offers outdoor classes or check the multitude of classes available online.
Fill yourself with positive affirmations. You really are worthy, you really are enough, and so is all that you do for others. Pull out that gratitude journal or start a new one. Write down or say out loud 5 things that you are grateful for each day. And the littlest of things count just as much as the big!
One of my favorite books to gift during the holiday season, or any time you need a little Joy in your life, is Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Joyful. Filled with things to celebrate like bubbles, brightly colored balloons and design that leaves you smiling, it’s sure to make your heart tingle with happiness (which you will learn is different than joy!)
Remember this year, of all years, should be filled with grace and calm. Celebrate love and life and all the little things that make this season so special.
And let the rest take care of itself!
Cheers!
Renee
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.
