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

Studio 5 : Trend Alert - Black and Brass

 thibaut wallpaper

* Why it is so chic
The use of brass is re-emerging as the new super chic metal to use.  This is not your grandmother's brass, I repeat, this is not your grandmother's brass!  Ok, it actually might be.  Home accessory companies are introducing everything from brass drapery hardware, lamps and vases to accent tables, gilded mirrors and little accessories for bookcases and nightstands.  BUT, some of the best looking brass is the vintage stuff circa at least 1980 or earlier!  Just like women are wearing more and more gold jewelry, brass accents in the home add a warm, rich detail when used in the right space.  How to make it chic? Black is the dominant feature and the brass is the jewelry.  An even bigger tip? You have to use a LOT of white to freshen up the look.  It's what makes the trend work today.

jamie herzlinger

* Who it works for
It is my job to bring you the trends, but it doesn't mean every trend is for everyone.  Those who love the shabby chic or country french look will not be able to pull this off, and they're probably thinking I'm crazy for highlighting the trend.  Black and brass works best for the funky, modern or art deco loving homeowner.  The good news is, many people have a lot of black furniture pieces in their homes.  With the right tweaks to walls and a lot of 'editing' - you can reuse those black bookshelves, console tables and bathroom vanities.   Nate Berkus loves black and especially brass - along with some of the top designers in the world.  It looks time-worn, 'deco',  sophisticated and collected over time and with enough added white, it becomes timeless and fresh.

via rue magazine

* How to pull it off
First, pull everything out of the space you're working on.  Clear it all out.  Neutralize everything.  Either paint your walls white - or use black as an accent wall.  The key here is no color - other than black, brass and white.  Pattern is definitely allowed though.  Wallpaper, backsplash tile, drapery, pillows, area rugs, etc.  Pattern will keep things alive and showcase your personal style.  Then add the brass touches.  Gilded detailing on a mirror, a gold faucet or wall hooks, brass drapery hardware and the finish on a chandelier or lamp injects the warmth and shine that makes this look so glam.  Be careful to finish the styling with just a bit more white or black... this look is best achieved when carefully edited.

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Studio 5 : Trend Alert - Rose Gold

Today I weighed in on a trend seen in both fashion and home decor, Rose Gold.  Watch this quick spotlight and tell me what you think about it.  Agree or Disagree?



I'll be on again tomorrow - highlighting a new trend I am crazy about.  You'll have to tune in to see what it is.  Watch Studio 5 on KSL tomorrow at 11.

Studio 5 : Backsplash Trends

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You may not realize it, but your backsplash says a lot about you!  Most kitchen cabinets are a standard stained or painted finish but your backsplash presents an opportunity to make a statement, add some individuality and completely enhance a space where you and your family spend a lot of time.  Today designer Lauren Oviatt shows us her top backsplash picks and is helping you find out which style is right for you.

For the Color Lover:

What more fun place to inject color than a backsplash?  There are TONS of colorful options in ceramic and glass in nearly every color of the rainbow and any shape you can think of.  By setting simple brick or square tiles in an offset pattern you can create an arts and crafts look.  Take more linear tiles and stack them and you’ve gone contemporary.  Play it a bit safer by just choosing one color and setting it into a more traditional arrangement of whites or cream tiles. 

For the Traditionalist:

It doesn’t get any more classic or traditional than a simple white glazed ceramic subway tile.  It will never go out of style.  If this is the look for you – update it by taking the tile up the wall to the ceiling or choosing an updated ‘pillowed’ or beveled subway tile.  Traditionalists always gravitate toward enduring patterns like herringbone and basketweave.  In porcelain, travertine or slate these patterns create a timeless look that really enhances kitchens that have deeper cabinet colors.

For the Trendsetter:

For those who are into the “now” in their home décor, there is SO much fabulousness out there in tile trends.  Technology has allowed tile companies to create the most intricate shapes and patterns in natural stone and glass for a truly artistic result.  The keywords here are “carrera marble”, “fretwork”, “mosaic”, and “fine detail.”  Due to how expensive these intricate tiles can be both to purchase and install, an inset frame over your oven range or horizontal detail running through a larger-format tile might be the best way to get the look without breaking the bank.  Any way you install it, these trend-setting tiles are showstopping.

Studio 5 : Wrapping Up the Rope Trend

The rope trend is "SO hot right now" - it is popping up everywhere, in fashion, jewelry, and of course it has even trickled into our homes.  No matter if the words preppy/nautical, bohemian or rustic define your decor style, the rope trend is for you.  Today designer Lauren Oviatt gives us her take on all things rope.



Standouts:
Using the rope trend as a standout is taking a totally theatrical approach, using large impressions almost like a set designer would on stage.  No accidents, no excuses!  Going big and bold with rope can translate into the following : large wall hangings, a chandelier that appears to be made of solely rope, a banister made of rope (!), substituting drapery hardware with rope, and so much more.


Staples:
Staples can be defined as everyday items that won't necessarily call too much attention to themselves but are an integral part of the decor statement in your room.  These are foundational pieces that have classic appeal.  Think of a hyacinth basket that keeps magazines or toys,  a pair of seagrass barstools at your kitchen island or even a jute rug updating your family room floor.  These items conjure up the rope trend due to their color, texture and braided quality.



Details:
Along with the overall feel of a room, designers often find most success and positive feedback in taking care of the details… they are what "make" the room.  Incorporating the rope trend into the details of your space could be as simple as rope coasters, a jute table runner or placemat, trim on your sofa's pillows or the updated hardware pulls in your powder room vanity.  You may rehang the pictures in your playroom by suspending them from rope or use a cool nautical knotted door stop.  Using the "detail" approach doesn't mean you're shying away from the trend, it says that you have a refined eye for embracing the small things.