 Category Focus - February 2008  |
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Holiday Home
Decorating options for fall and winter holidays “Decorations are a perfect example of things we buy that we don't need, yet we desire them because they add immeasurably to our enjoyment of holiday and family celebrations,” says Pam Danziger, president of research firm Unity Marketing. According to a consumer insights study by Unity Marketing about the holiday and seasonal decorations market, while Christmas accounts for the largest share of the total decorations market—some 48 percent overall—the fastest growing holidays for decorating the home were July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Labor Day/Back-to-School and summer seasonal decorations. Here we present holiday décor ideas that run the gamut from holiday specific to general seasonal items that can be used for holidays and beyond. Penny rugs and penny table runners from Homespice Décor draw on the Victorian technique used in the 1800s in which women gathered scraps of wool or wool felt from old clothes or hats and used coins as circular templates to create mat and rug designs. Sometimes a penny was stitched under one of the circles to weigh it down and make it lie flat—hence the name.
Rounded edges and circles of felt adorn Homespice Décor’s Harvest Moon penny table runner, designed by Pat Sloan, which embodies the spirit of the autumn season. Measuring 12” x 28”, it depicts a golden gourd nestled against a black backdrop; a crescent moon and star hang overhead. Small acorns topped with orange-red leaves add vibrant color, and detailed stitching provides interesting texture. The Glitterville Collection from PHI encourages Halloween revelry with whimsical items like the Which Treat is Witch needlepoint pillow. It features a pumpkin-faced witch, dressed in black and holding her broom. She’s framed with a border of colorful candy corn. The 14” x 14” pillow is festively trimmed with black and orange pom-poms. Glitzy pillows in faux silk from Milli Home help create an elegant ambience for holiday entertaining. Since they don’t bear specific holiday motifs, their functionality can last way beyond the New Year. The pillows are embellished with block printing, Zardozi beading and sequins with thread embroidery. The updated basic that complements the group is velvet pieced with faux silk. The pillows measure 20” x 20” and 14” x 20”. A gift that can be handed down through the generations is the Hanukkah table runner from Arcadia Home. Made of appliquéd silk and hand beaded on the edges, it includes charming red-accented dredl motifs in the corners. The table runner measures 18” x 72”. Wrapping our holiday home ideas is an apron for the holiday party hostess from The Glam It Up Collection by Elizabeth Scokins’ Haute Hostess Aprons. The Jacqueline, made of polyester, features a red apron body with hot pink flounces. Resources
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