As anyone living in this part of the county knows, Christmas is not just one day but an entire season of Southern Hospitality and age old traditions seamlessly mixed with new customs. For many of us, the home is the heart of our celebration and creates the festive backdrop to gatherings of our loved ones. Here at Lake Oconee, the opportunity to deck the halls in holiday trim is not just an required annual ritual, it’s a welcome chance to wrap family and friends in a warm blanket of holiday cheer.
Each year our residents work to bring the holiday spirit to all corners of the lake – from homes, to clubhouses to the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee rolls out the red carpet for the holiday season. Capturing the “lake look” at the holidays means different things to different people – it’s sometimes rustic, sometimes whimsical, but it’s always fun. Here we share a few holiday “how to’s” from some lake area designers to bring a touch of the lake to your own home this holiday season. Happy Decorating!
- You want your home or environment to tell your story. You want to pick up pieces that you will carry with you through the years with the intention of building your collection; whether that is Christmas decorations, art pieces or furnishings.
- Look to your environment. Here at the Reynolds Lake Oconee, golf balls, classic fishing lures and rustic lake memorabilia often find their way into a decorating scheme alongside department store ornaments and tinsel.
- Keep it simple, red and green always feels like Christmas. Also, remember all the senses try to include fresh greenery, pine-cones, scented candles, or jars of brightly-colored holiday candy for added ambience.'
- Looking for a less elaborate setup? Consider a beautiful fresh wreath on the front door with fruits and berries as a warm welcome. In the living room: a Christmas tree decorated with family keepsake ornaments as well as fresh garland over the mantle with fruits and nuts. Candles and Holiday music will set the right mood.
- For more modern appeal, work with the colors in your home. Decadent fabrics in neutral tones and bright metals complement and balance strong walls.
- Elegant pieces make great accents to an overall casual look if they are given a focal location in your decorating scheme.
- Look for pieces that add vertical height to the overall theme and place them along mantles and on dining room tables for visual continuity and balance.
- Remember to have fun and include your family and friends in the process – this allows decorating to become a relaxing tradition rather than a chore.
