Simple and Creative Home Decor

Decorative ideas comes easily to some and are more than a bit elusive for others. Home decor articles were part and parcel during my Helium tenure, especially after I became a Channel Steward. The site is now barely a memory and I still have a number of articles originally published there waiting to find a new home.

As usual, life got in the way before I could pull everything from the site, but when faced with so many titles that had less to do with topics I was passionate about and more to do with trending topics and calls for articles, it ultimately came down to which pieces I felt were important to save and which ones I actually cared about.

As a creative person who is also a writer, as well as a teacher of arts and crafts, many of the craft based titles were things I could jump on easily and run with. The decor article here was one of those - can't remember the original publication date.

Those of us who are crafty occasionally feel the need to decorate the spaces through which we move. Sometimes we choose purchased items and sometimes we create (or at least embellish) something of our own. No matter what category you fall into, I hope you'll be inspired to create something unique and lovely.

Decorative Ideas For Hurricane Vases

Sometimes it seems the loveliest décor ideas are also those that are the simplest. Clear glass hurricane vases are quite versatile and can be used to create attractive centerpieces on tables and mantels that are suitable for just about any occasion.

While most vases are typically used to hold fresh flowers, hurricanes often serve double duty because of their similarity in shape to hurricane lamps. A simple trio of hurricanes, in either the same or mixed sizes, combined with white pillar candles can instantly transform a mantel. The hurricane vases can be left plain or dressed up further depending the casualness or formality of the occasion they are being used for.

The addition of greenery, such as ivy, ferns, or evergreen branches will add a little color to the hurricane vase decoration as well as a touch of nature. Arrange the greens in a circle at the base of a single hurricane or in a row in front of multiple ones grouped together.

Pillar candles can be set atop iridescent glass drops inside the hurricane vase or sand, pebbles, seashells, or even marbles. Choose candles and accents that are best suited for the width and height of the vase being used and never place flammable materials inside if planning on lighting the candles.

If the hurricane vase is large enough, consider using one or more flower shaped floating candles. Place the hurricane on a flat mirror large enough to reflect the light from the candles. Arrange leaves along the edge of the mirror, slightly overlapping each other to create a framing border. For additional color, scatter a few flowers (stems removed) among the leaves.

For tall or narrow hurricane vases, especially those with a stem, wrap a length of wide ribbon at the base and tie it into a bow.  In the absence of ribbon substitute a silk scarf or dinner napkin.

Candles aren’t the only thing besides flowers that can be used to create decorations with hurricane vases. Fruit, candies, marbles, colorful glass bulbs, Christmas ornaments, pasta shapes, and nuts are just a few items that can be used to fill the vases when decorating.

Hurricane vases are a must have for any home. They can quickly be used to make centerpieces from simple to sophisticated, and they are ideal for decorating on a budget since they can be used alone or combined with other items already on hand.

Alternatives to Traditional Christmas Trees

Yes, they are lovely to look at, but they are also costly (more and more so each year), and quite often they make a rather untidy mess on the floor. Unless you have kids at home and/or you find you just can't live without that fresh pine smell this time of the year, you may be wavering on whether or not to keep buying a Christmas tree year after year.

Yes, there are living trees for purchase and later planting, and yes, depending on where you live you can rent one, but wouldn't it be so much more interesting to do something different, something eco-friendly, and maybe even artistic? (Not to mention economical!) Read on!

This was one of my favorite contributions to the  Helium Celebrations channel. I really wish I  had a photo to go with this post! Originally published in November of 2010.

How to use a Wooden Ladder as a Christmas Tree

The idea of using a wooden ladder as a Christmas tree may seem odd to some, but to those who are imaginative or creative minded, it’s not only eco-friendly, it’s downright brilliant! No pruning, no pine needles to sweep up, no worry of water evaporation creating a fire hazard from a dry tree, and best of all, no extra expense – that is, as long as you already own the ladder.

A wooden ladder as a Christmas tree presents so many possibilities. The ladder could be draped and decorated like a tree or left bare and strung with multi-colored Christmas lights. Gifts could be strategically placed on the ladder’s “steps” while the other side of the ladder could be used for hanging everything from cards to stockings to ornaments.

The ladder could be painted green or left its natural wood color, which would probably be best since the ladder would mostly likely go back to its normal function once the Christmas holiday season is over. One way to add green though would be to drape a green fabric such as felt or even satin down the front of the ladder the way one would carpet a stairwell.

Decorative objects or even potted plants such as poinsettias, miniature pines or rosemary could then be arranged on the ladder’s steps to create a stunning display. After Christmas the plants could then be repotted or donated. Alternatively, collectibles could be arranged on the ladder’s steps to create an ascending display of figurines, snow globes, music boxes, gingerbread houses, candy dishes, vintage toys and any other sentimental object significant to you and your family.

Decorating the ladder without any kind of fabric draping should begin with the lights just like a real Christmas tree. This way you can carefully arrange the strands by weaving them in and out of or around the rungs/steps. Use clear lights for a conservative look and colored likes if going for a classic or theme look. Colored lights and a few strategically placed ornaments can more than serve as a substitute Christmas tree.

Many people like to decorate their Christmas trees in specific color schemes that change each year and the same approach can be taken when using a folding wooden ladder as a tree. There’s no hand and fast rule that says your Christmas tree has to be an actual tree. Just be careful climbing the ladder while decorating and follow the same safety rules you would when using the ladder to do projects around your home.