Last-minute Holiday Decorating Secrets

amaryllis holiday decor

Designer & TV Personality Libby Langdon's Last-minute Holiday Decorating Secrets: Fast & Festive  

"December already?!  Suddenly it's the busiest time of the year and you are out of time but still want a home that feels festive and special for the holidays.  These are a few of my favorite last-minute design fixes to bring warm and welcoming holiday style to your home this season." Libby

Libby Langdon, designer, author and television personality known for her stylish and inviting design expertise shares last-minute holiday decor secrets from her clients'  and own home. 

The Holiday's are so busy and jam packed with things to do, so when it comes to flowers I like to keep it easy and elegant. 

Rather than trying to maintain real flowers throughout the season, display red silk Amaryllis (I got mine from Ikea!) in tall glass cylinders. Use miniature pinecones or moss at the base to camouflage the stalks. Wrap each vase with all sorts of ribbon combinations... from burlap to grosgrain!

An inexpensive, simple and stylish accent that creates height on consoles, buffet tables and wherever you need a cheerful, chic kick of color!

Libby Langdon Ball Ornament silver Mantlescape

For the fastest, most fabulous holiday decor, simply fill your favorite vessels with ornaments!  Even bargain drugstore ornaments look special and sparkly when displayed together.  For extra impact, use several like material containers in one area featuring ornaments in a single color theme.  Multiple clear glass hurricanes and vases shining with all white ornaments or several shiny bowls brimming with various shades and sizes of green Christmas balls look elegant and modern...in minutes!  

Libby Langdon Holiday Throw Pillow

A fun and fast holiday design fix are seasonal throw pillows.  There are so many fun styles and patterns that will work with each color scheme in your home, which gives you the chance to change up your regular day-to-day pillows with a cheerful message you wouldn't use throughout the rest of the year!  Stock up at the end of the season when they are on sale! 

Snake faux or real garland greenery down the center of your table for an instant, unexpected runner!  There are so many affordable options that already have berries and pinecones attached...no assembly required!  Or use greenery trimmed from your Christmas tree or yard and add in shiny ornaments, pinecones, candleholders, holly berries and ribbon and you've created a stunning tablescape design that you can leave out in between meals for everyday style throughout the season!

Spray paint is Christmas in a can!  For less than five dollars you can bring holiday shine to items you collect in your yard!  Give leaves and pinecones a coat of metallic color and incorporate them into your tabletop, railing and mantlepiece decor and floral displays. For a gorgeous garland embellishment, alternate sprayed and natural magnolia leaves in a rosette, add ribbon to the center and attach at the back with florist wire and attach to garlands.  Spray magnolia leaves or larger shrub leaves gold and tuck around varied height votives and hurricanes along with gold spray painted pinecones and arrange on a mantle, console or buffet table.  Attach a gold spray painted leaf to a name tag with ribbon for a holiday dinner place card.  Let your imagination run wild -- silver and gold make your season stylish and bright!

Happy Holidays & Happy Decorating!!

fashionado