Christmas Decorating and Holiday Decorating in Charlotte NC.

Decorating your home in Charlotte NC for Christmas and the holidays. If you love a traditional, old-world Christmas, you probably won't think much about a color scheme for your Christmas decorations. You'll gather together everything with sentimental value in any color, and find just the right place for it and your home and tree will be lovely. But if you're just starting out or want your decorations to compliment your home's decor, you'll find that all your Christmas decorating decisions will be easier if you start out with a specific color scheme.

There are a number of ways you can determine or choose a color scheme you want to follow with your Christmas decorations. Here are a few you can think about.

• Your Home's Color Scheme
  Focus on the colors you have in your home year 'round and select complimentary colors that bring out the seasonal feeling. Here are more ways you can find colors for a Christmas color scheme.
  
• Colors from Your Childhood Christmases
  If you have particularly happy memories from Christmas past, try to choose a color theme to enhance that memory. If you loved all the candy canes, choose a red and white color scheme. Did your tree have shiny silver tinsel laid over the boughs? Maybe you'd like a silver glittery color scheme. How about the bubble lights from the 50's and 60's? Choose a color scheme that brings all those colors to mind.
  
• A Piece of Fabric
  If you have seen a beautiful fabric that would be spectacular on the center of your dining room table, draw your Christmas colors from the fabric design. Bring the hues into all the rooms for a unified look.
  
• A Sentimental Collectible Christmas Decoration
  Were you given a special Christmas decoration from your childhood home? If so, make that the focal point and use the colors from it for your color scheme. I was given a porcelain lighted Christmas tree that we had for years on the table in our entry hall. It's easy to decorate around, of course, but it always has a place of importance.
  
• Hues from Your Home
  If your home has warm colors, it would be best to choose golds and reds for decorations rather than icy white and silver. Keep with the feeling of your home for a harmonious decor.
  
  
  
  
  Ribbons
  
  Almost any Christmas decorating is enhanced by adding ribbons and bows, lots of them. If you find a ribbon that you particularly like, use the colors for the decorating scheme throughout your home. Once you choose a color scheme, it's a good idea to carry the color through all connecting rooms, for a look of consistency and harmony.
  

Purchase different widths of the same design ribbon so you can use narrower around candlesticks and wider on wreaths and garlands. There are some general rules to follow when bringing a Christmas (or any seasonal temporary) color scheme into your home. Use ribbons and bows to add color and a holiday mood to garlands, wreaths, mantles, swags, and candlesticks. Learn a simple way to make floral bows to use anywhere in your home. French ribbons with a wired edge cost more than regular soft ribbons, but are a great investment as they can be used year after year. With the wired edges, you can make a perfect bow, arranging the loops and tails any way you like for the best effect.

Be sure to purchase more ribbon than you think you'll need. You may not be able to find more later.

• Harmonize with Your Interior
  If your home is decorated with a contemporary interior of black and white and chrome, don't try to create a rustic space with twigs and birds nests. Focus on the space as it is with silver, white, glitter, and crystals, maintaining the minimalist look.
  On the other hand, if your home is decorated in warm, colorful tones, don't try to make it look sleek and sophisticated with silver and white Christmas decorations. Choose colors from the decorating plan and draw them out for the Christmas decor.
  To summarize, if the space is warm and cozy, choose Christmas decorations in shapes and colors that retain that feeling. If the space is cool and sleek, choose decorations that are also sleek and sophisticated.

Color evokes strong emotions in people and the colors chosen for a Christmas color scheme might be more important than the items chosen for decorations. Choose the colors you like the most for your Christmas decorating. Choose what will draw your eye and make you feel joyous and festive.

• Transition from Room to Room
  For continuity through your home, coordinate you Christmas decorations from room to room. Don't use silver and white icicles in one room and rustic twigs and calico ornaments in the adjoining room.
  Try to repeat main decorating colors in each room. The decorations don't have to be the same, but bring colors from one room to the next. Try to find some decorations that have several colors in them. Then use one of the main colors in one room, another in an adjoining room, and the third color in the third room. Tie the spaces together with a common garland or decorative ribbons.
  
• Use Color to Add Texture
  Even with a monochromatic scheme, it's important to have some texture for interest. A tree decorated with only balls can look boring. Use garlands different finishes on the balls, ribbons, nosegays to add different textures and balance.
  
• Warm Colors and Cool Colors
  It's known that certain colors evoke particular feelings. Reds, yellows, and golds are warm colors. Blue, white, and silver are cool colors. If you choose a decorating scheme of snow, you'd probably gravitate towards cool colors. If you're focusing on the cozy feeling of a winter fireplace, you'd choose warm colors. If you live in a climate that's freezing cold, you might want to warm up your interior with warm colors. If you live in a tropical area, you might want to bring the coolness of icicles into your home at this time of year.
  
  Though red, green, gold, and silver are the favorite choices for Christmas colors, almost any hue can create a beautifully decorated home for the holidays.When choosing color combinations, remember that most colors of equal depth and intensity will harmonize with each other. Pastels, for example, mix easily with other pastels such as pink, peach, butter yellow, baby blue, lilac, and mint green.Or the deep jewel tones of navy blue, hunter green, and deep red will also combine well.Most colors, whether pastel or jewel tones, mix well with crystals, white, and ivory. And metallic tones like gold, silver, iron, brass, and pewter look great with almost any color.
  
  Here are some more colors and wonderful color combination for Christmas decorations.
  
  
• Red and Green
  
• Red and White
• Green and White
• All White
• Any Color and Gold
• Any Color and White
• Any Color and Silver
• White, Blue, and Silver
• Ivory and Brushed Gold
• Sage Green, Ivory, and Pewter
• Bright Purple, Blue, and Green
• Icy Blue, Lilac, and Silver
• Autumn Tones of Beige, Brown, Golden Yellow, and Rust
• Forest Green, Burgundy, and Gold
• Primary Toy Colors Such as Red, Yellow, and Blue

Redesign + More offers Christmas Decorating for your Christmas tree to your entire home. Call us today for your Holiday Decorating needs.

Merry Christmas from Redesign + More.

Party Ideas & Planning Tips For Holiday Entertaining In Charlotte NC

Party Ideas & Planning Tips
For Holiday Entertaining In Charlotte NC

Holiday entertaining can be a great joy – a festive time to get together with family and friends, showcase your holiday decorating skills and celebrate everything the season means to you.

With these party planning ideas, you can throw the perfect holiday party whether you have an over-sized family room or a small Charlotte apartment or condo for entertaining. The key is to be creative with what you have, and plan, plan, plan!

Plan The Mood

Set the tone for your holiday party even before the first guest arrives. Fill a baking pan halfway with water and cinnamon; then put it in the oven on a low heat, and let the aromatic smell of cinnamon fill the house. Plug in the holiday lights to cheer guests as they arrive. Have seasonal music playing softly in the background. Keep a fire burning in the fireplace to add to the cozy holiday mood.


Plan the Seating

There is nothing worse than not having a place to sit at a party! Make your guests' comfort a top priority at your holiday celebration. You can borrow chairs and benches from friends. Depending on the formality, you can throw down some beanbag chairs or over-sized cushions, which work great for kids. If you lack a large open area to seat everyone, arrange small seating areas separate from one another. Truth be told, most guests would prefer these intimate seating areas anyway!

Plan The Holiday Meal

To tide guests over before the meal is ready, offer plenty of appetizers and finger foods. These can include cheese and crackers, prepared veggie platters, cocktail shrimp, chips and salsa, fresh fruit, mozzarella sticks, sandwich quarters, etc. Add elegance to your Hors D'oeuvres by lining each tray with colorful holiday foil and doilies. Know when you're going to serve the holiday meal, and make that clear to your guests.

For the main course at your holiday party, you can go with a traditional ham, turkey or lamb... or opt for lasagna, subs or even pizza. It's your party, so do things your way. But remember to offer an option for vegetarians, dieters and fussy eaters!

As far as beverages go, you can satisfy most guests with a variety of juice, soda and alcohol -- or why not combine all three in a killer holiday punch?And don't forget the eggnog!

Don't forget dessert! If you are clever enough, your desserts can double as decorations. Picture this: rich, chocolate fudge cake, drizzled with raspberry sauce and berries beneath the flickering silhouette of a red taper candle. Delicious and eye catching!

Plan The Entertainment

If you want guests to stay awhile instead of taking off early, then keep the party alive with games and activities. Plan a holiday gift exchange -- or better yet, a joke gift exchange. You may want to put a dollar limit on the gift so it's not a burden on your guests. Fill out a few Mad Libs, or try creating your own with guests at the party! Announce that you're hanging up the mistletoe to stir things up . Dust off the chess table, break out the poker set, grab Pictionary. You can even look online for icebreaker games that might be appropriate. But keep in mind, there will be those who would rather mingle than play games, so let the guests dictate their own entertainment schedules.


Or you can make it stress free... and hire Redesign + More for your holiday and event decorating needs. We offer Interior Holiday and Event Decorating packages for Charlotte NC and surrounding areas. We highlight the rooms in your home and set the mood, so your guest can enjoy your holiday party.

We make it painless for you, so you can enjoy your holidays.

~ Happy Holidays ~

Home Decorating small spaces in Charlotte, NC.

Living in an apartment, a condo, or even a small house in Charlotte, NC doesn't mean you have to go without storage and decorate your home. At Redesign + More we understand that any space can look beautiful even if it is in a small space.

• Use adhesive hooks. If you can’t use hammers and nails, try hanging your pictures on plastic hooks that come with super-strength adhesive. When you move out, simply pull off the adhesive, and leave the wall intact.

• Buy extra closet rods. Apartments aren’t known for their spacious, walk-in closets. In fact, they’re known for tiny ones. Deal with this problem by purchasing an extra adjustable rod to place underneath the existing one.

• Maximize storage. Hide household items by storing them under your bed. You can use cement blocks to give your bed some height, and then cover them with a longer bed skirt, making room for boxes, books, and other storage items.

• Use a reversible bedspread. To keep your decor fresh and new, try a reversible bedspread. Whenever you get tired of one look, flip it over the next time you make up your bed.

• Find multifunctional furniture. Nothing saves space like multifunctional furniture. Whenever you shop for your new apartment, try to find flexible items such as futons, which can serve as both couches and beds.

• Try mirror tricks. Opening up a cramped space can require a few illusions. Placing large mirrors around a room can make it appear larger and much more spacious than reality.

• Decorate with plywood. Many apartment policies prohibit repainting, so an easy way to add life to your home is to paint or wallpaper large pieces of plywood any color you wish, and then simply lean them against the walls. Just make sure the plywood fits the space.
  

• Add color with curtains. Try hanging curtains on your walls, as if you were concealing a nook or extra room. This creates the illusion that the apartment is bigger than it actually is, and it adds a little pizazz to the decor.

• Let there be light. Some policies won’t allow residents to alter their light fixtures, so if you want more light, you will have to bring it with you when you move in. Find interesting lamps that add charm and personality to your rooms.

• Let walls be a canvas. Another solution for bare walls is to cover them up with over-sized canvases or posters. Found online or in craft stores, they allow you to drape your apartment in simple, solid colors or in wild, intense designs.

• Try wall decals. It might seem a bit elementary, but cling stickers can brighten up a bathroom or kitchen. Home improvement and superstores carry a variety of fun and bright stickers such as flowers, polka dots and chic silhouettes. They can give a room a little whimsy without damaging a surface.

• Rotate knickknacks. Sometimes, what makes a home are the little items we attach to precious memories, and apartments can’t always hold them all. Leave your place simple and uncluttered by rotating these treasures and displaying only a few per month.

• Choose accents wisely. Even if you choose to keep the original wall colors, accents and accessories can easily spruce up your rooms. Add decorative throw pillows, rugs, and lamps that reflect your own personal style and create a homey space without upsetting your landlord.

So keep in mind no matter how small your space is, remember every room can be decorated in your home. Sometimes in these spaces you have to think outside the box. Most importantly don't forget to add your style and your personality in your space. Happy Decorating!

Home Staging starting at the curb in Charlotte, NC.

Are you thinking fall is the time to pull up the for sale sign and wait until spring? At Redesign + More in Charlotte, NC we think it’s time to set the Stage for your home and add the curb appeal before winter weather appears and make sure your home is ready to compete for buyers’ attention. Typically winter brings fewer buyers to the market place, but these buyers are generally more serious and focused on buying a home.

As a homeowner or investor with a property for sale you need to have enthusiastic buyers making offers in order to see maximum gains. Enthusiastic buyers and Realtors will result in a higher selling price in a much shorter period of time.

Short on time and money these days? Here are some ideas that don't take a lot of time and doesn't break your bank. Your landscaping can have fabulous appeal all winter long by taking a few extra steps now!

Walk slowly past your house from both directions. What stands out the most? The faded paint on the garage door? A mailbox that hangs askew? Dead grass and patches of dusty, bare ground? The goal is to fix and replace the things that will show the greatest return on your investment.

Even more important is knowing the right type of repairs that can add thousands to the selling price of your house for......

There are a number of ways to enhance your home's appearance, from smaller tasks such as weeding and mowing the lawn, to larger projects such as an exterior remodeling project.

It's well known that potential buyers make up their minds in the first few minutes of seeing a home. How your home presents itself from the road can actually make or break the sale. You can make a world of difference in how your home is perceived by adding a boxwood hedge, painting the front door, or simply fertilizing and weeding the lawn.

• Rich lush lawn Those thin areas can be beautiful quickly by reseeding now. With the warm days and cool nights seed will germinate quickly and the lawn can be established with less watering and care.

• Time to take care of those dandelions and weeds! Weeds germinate in the fall so by applying weed and feed over the yard there will be fewer dandelions in the spring. Clear flower beds of weeds now and avoid their growth through the winter months. We use a pre-emergent product after we weed which helps reduces weed germination. Our flower beds in the spring now take a few minutes not hours.

• Colorful leaves are beautiful on the trees, but once strewn on your lawn decrease your home’s visual appeal. They can damage lawns and become slippery on walkways. Remove leaves quickly.

• Remove overgrown or straggly plants. Take a hard look at your landscape. Shape shrubs, remove dying or overgrown plants. Flower beds should have a crisp and clean look in winter months.

• Add some affordable landscaping. Nurseries are having great sales this time of year and not only can your yard look better all winter, plants started now can be bigger and well established by spring. We love what a few colorful mums planted along the walkway does for curb appeal for months and months.
  

• Freshen Your Front Door, a front door says a lot about your home. Paint your front door or stain it if the color is faded! Red is a dominant color and your eye will go right to it when you walk into a room or drive by a home.

• Replace or paint old mailboxes.

It helps to write down a complete inventory of what is wrong with your home's appearance, then make a list of ways in which you can fix those problems. It could be as simple as adding a flower bed or planting a tree. A walkway lined with bright flowers is always helpful.

The most important thing to keep in mind when preparing your house is to be objective. Look at your house and yard as if you were a buyer, and determine curb appeal from that perspective. You may notice things you've spent years overlooking. Spend a little time and you will create a beautiful curb appeal for your home.

Redesign + More is a professional home staging and home redesign company in Charlotte, NC specializing in helping home sellers prepare their homes to sell quickly and for top dollar. Home staging starts at the curb!

Curb Appeal Sells 49% of All Houses
National Association of Realtors