Home for the Holidays

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Maria DiGiorgio is a devoted wife and mother, an educator and designer. Visit her Etsy shop: LaPetiteFleurbyMaria, for beautiful, one-of-a-kind, hand embellished floral picture frames.

    Nothing is as important to our sense of well-being as the comfort of our home.  Our home is an extension of ourselves, a reflection of who we are, what we enjoy and how we choose to live.  Whether large or small, simple or grandiose, we can put our very own stamp on our home and make it as unique and distinctive as we are.  A wonderful way to do this is to infuse seasonal décor and touches into the interior and exterior of our home.
     The season of autumn is on the horizon and is filled with vibrant hues, rich patterns and textures, and delicious scents.  There are many places to purchase a few lovely seasonal accents for the home.  Craft stores such as Michaels and A.C. Moore, offer both prefabricated items as well as DIY designs, to add just the right seasonal touch to your home. Floral wreaths, centerpieces, scented candles, accent lighting, as well as decorative pillows and throws abound in these types of stores. You can also find these items in stores that specialize in home décor, like Homesense and Homegoods. Catalogs, too, offer many Halloween and Thanksgiving artifacts, display items and colorful accents that bring the season to life, in your home.  
     The key to beautiful and effortless seasonal interior decorating is to add items that look as if they have always belonged in whichever setting they are placed.  Choosing the right scale and color is paramount to making these seasonal pieces blend seamlessly, while still making an impact. Again, the choices should reflect the homeowner’s taste.  For some, a subtle touch does the trick; for others, a more bold statement is the intended goal.  One may choose to add seasonal décor to just one area or room of the home, whereas another may wish to incorporate it throughout the home.
     With seasonal décor, we must also remember seasonal plants and rustic accents to adorn our exterior landscapes.  Nothing says fall more than beautifully colored aster, mums, scarecrows, cornstalks, bales of hay and bright berries.  Incorporating these items into our flowerbeds, or as part of a holiday display on our lawn or front porch, further enhances our home’s seasonal appeal.  Local nurseries, florists and even gift shops all carry a tremendous array of these items.  
     Treat yourself, your loved ones and  neighbors to a delightful expression and celebration of this season’s beautiful abundance.  Savor the warmth you will undoubtedly feel while shopping for, displaying and enjoying the fruits of your labor.  Home is where the heart is, and this season is all about loving fall!