Studio 5 : Spruce up your Staircase

Decorating our homes for the holidays never stops at trimming the tree. Most of us carry the festive decor throughout our homes and into as many rooms and spaces as possible. To me, the second most eye-grabbing feature after the tree is a tie between the mantles and the banisters. Banister decorating can be just as beautiful as any mantle out there, and there are many different options, so think beyond green. Here are five ideas to spruce up your banister this holiday season: 

The Traditional Green Garland Fresh or fake, green garland is rich and beautiful even on its own. Add lights, ribbons, extra ornaments from the tree and you have a beautiful swag that is graceful and festive. I love the garlands that are full, fresh, and trimmed with lights. It creates a timeless holiday look that is classic every single year. 

Non-Traditional, Non-Green Garland Many people put their decorations up early and want them to look great for nearly six weeks. Fresh garland can't always look good that long. I love the idea of doing a non-traditional garland and giving it a fun theme. You might have a back staircase or secondary area that would be a perfect spot for a kid's garland. Create something that conjures up the magic of Christmas in bright, whimsical colors. 

Tied Swags on Baluster One of the easiest ways to green up your banister is to create bunches of greenery and tie them directly to the balusters underneath the banister. It can take the stress off creating the perfect garland and is a great solution for both long and short staircases. Simply take cuttings from outside of various evergreen and sticks and bind them with a little spray of ornaments that matches your tree's decor. 

Stairway Lights A great mood-enhancer for indoor and outdoor spaces is a line of luminaries or hurricanes filled with candles on the staircase. This is a fabulous and sparkling display for evening parties. It epitomizes a warm welcome for guests. 

Stairway Collectible Display If space on console tables and bookcases is limited - consider displaying holiday collectibles on your staircase. Disclaimer: this may not work in a household with small children; however it can be a fun and sentimental display. I have a family friend who owns dozens of nutcrackers that she sets up on a stunning open staircase that is in her entry. It is nostalgic and appeared as if they were standing sentinel, saluting guests as they enter the house. 
{photo credits : veranda, house beautiful, bhg, traditional home mag, houzz}

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Studio 5 : Mantle Decor in Minutes

Today we talked about ways to dress up your holiday mantle using pieces you may already have in your home. Click below to watch the segment and read my article, or you may redirect to the Studio 5 page using this link.


Whiteware : Take a trip around your house and collect everything that is a shade of white! It can be a platter, a cake stand, dinner plate, vase or soap dish! The idea here is that you are displaying a collection, so more is better. Use filler like fresh seasonal plants or flowers, extra ornaments, tall branches or even holiday figurines to tie things together. This look adds a lot of interest but not a ton of crazy color - it is a fresh, crisp look for your mantle. 

Candlesticks : Don't be afraid to mix and match here. The unifying theme will be the color of the pillar candles that you place on the candlesticks... add variety by mixing black with sterling silver or mercury glass or try white candlesticks with clear glass candlesticks. The beauty of this look is the layers of height and the glow of the candles when every last one of them is lit.
* Design tip: This display works great for homes without mantles or fireplaces, simply set up a large console table or sofa table as if it were a mantle. Place a mirror behind to double the glow. 

 Picture Frames : I love the idea of layering frames in with your mantle garland or decor. Just like the candlesticks, these frames don't all have to be the same color, but make sure there is some rhyme or reason here. (Keep it to three colors max.) Some of these frames might be stored with your holiday decor and only come out in December; other frames will be pulled from other areas in the home to fill in the gaps. Some of my favorite memories are immortalized in photo frames that my Mom brings out each Christmas. The holidays are about being together as families and are so sentimental. Old photos are a perfect fit for holiday decor... it doesn't get any more personal. 

photo credits: bhg.com, petalandkettle.com, theyellowcapecod.com