Natalie Papier, the eclectic designer and artist of Home Ec., has always had loved color. She believes homes should be full of life and warmth. What better time to bring warmth and color into your home than with your Christmas decorations? Natalie chatted with us about how she decorates her space for the holidays and offers some Christmas decoration ideas for your home!
Getting Started in Interior Design
I have advised interior designers and manufacturers and helped position their firms through strategic communications for over a decade. Five years ago I co-founded Aloka Home and all of that experience is now being applied to my everything, including how I decorate for the holidays. I also like to wait until December to decorate. I don’t like to rush things, including Christmas!
Ethereal Elements as a Christmas Theme
I like to create new mantle-scapes and tablescapes that are nature-inspired and then mix that in with my tried and true decorations that are more sentimental. Last year I made a garland of dried oranges and cinnamon sticks and we also have a huge magnolia tree in our front yard so I like to use the big green leaves and paint or spray paint them.
The Inspiration and Process of Decorating
I often gain inspiration from the designers who I advise. I have access to their project pictures and they’re brilliant with their ideas. But also I have a warehouse of vintage textiles and remnants and these always inspire ideas. That’s really what I lean in to. The process is a family thing. My nephew has a truck so we wait on him to get the tree. We wait on our grown kids to come home to put up some of their favorite ornaments and then I just decorate as time and inspiration allow.
Adding In Favorite Pieces
My favorites are the ornaments that the kids made when they were little or the ones my grandmother gave me or that we picked up from trips abroad. And then we have ornaments with pictures of our pets, many who have passed, and so it’s nice to have them with us on a little tree that we put in the kitchen around that time.
The Top Decorating Tips
You probably have what you need in your yard or in the craft drawer or the kitchen (and in my case, Aloka’s warehouse) to make your home feel very special, it’s just going to take a fresh eye on what can be! Pull out the plates and platters you never use and layer, layer, layer!
A Stray Dog Piece to Tie it Together
The Twinkle Canopy Kit could be pulled out just for the occasion and really give a room that extra special feel. I might even consider mounting this in an unexpected place for seasonal effect and specialness.
Celebrate with a Bite
I love to celebrate Christmas morning with bagels and lox and all of the toppings, like red onion and capers and a little bubbly and present opening, one at a time.
Follow Natalie on Instagram @home_ec_op and catch her on the Magnolia Network show Artfully Designed to see more of her
