Fresh Flowers with a Fresh Twist

capty99 — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 23:47:28 -0600

Tis’ the season of letting go of traditional reds and greens and introducing new and exciting colors and themes to enhance your home for the holiday season. Contemporary condo living and smaller living quarters no longer require tall Christmas trees, wreathes or poinsettias. Instead, take a cue from the latest interior design trends and reinvent your own holiday décor.

It is easy to get wrapped up in the nostalgia of celebrating the Christmas season, turning to the old staples like evergreens and garlands to accent
your home. However, with the blending of many cultures and more emphasis on global unity, the holiday seasons of the past are rapidly changing. Color trends and themes are used to compliment interior décor as well as meet cultural preferences and individual personalities. The retail market is all definitely meeting these challenges. With the wide array of colors used in today’s home environments, some of the hottest color trends are browns, delphinium blue, muted golds, all shades green and pink. Blacks, whites and reds with edgy themes are also high on the consumers list. The metallic colors such as bronze, copper and silver are sizzling accents.

With many consumers becoming more environmentally aware, we see lots of nature reintroduced in indoor motifs. Pinecones and natural branches, such as manzanita and curly willow, displayed in beautiful contemporary glass containers coupled with artificial snow, berries and moss bring the outdoors in. This natural look has been popularized by some of the contemporary movements in home decorating as seen in such stores as Pottery Barn, Smith and Hawkins and Crate & Barrel.

We live in a fast-paced society where time is limited and quick fixes and easy décor are in demand. Natural items in glass vessels accented with beautiful keepsake ornaments are taking over where Christmas trees once stood proudly. The once traditional poinsettia is being replaced by a selection of popular bulb gardens, like amaryllis, narcissis, tulips, early hyacinths and cyclamens. Exotic orchid plants are joined with the richness of barks, mosses, branches, rich ivies and enhanced with a touch of bling.

Fresh flowers make a great gift this season. Gift-giving ideas that reflect the green movement include glass vases with a collection of fresh amaryllises bulbs, butterfly orchids and narcissis. These are long lasting and fun to watch as the beauty of each blossom unfolds. Floral and plant gardens can be designed into beautiful centerpieces with the addition of solid carnation or rose orbs. Votive candles, pillar candles and sparkling crystals placed together can all create an intriguing holiday scene. The Flower Studio offers a multitude of gift giving ideas from the freshness of long lasting flowers, orbs, plants, standing table wreaths and succulent gardens. All can be the perfect Christmas gift for allowing that touch of nature to enhance anyone’s Christmas celebration.

Window Tinting : A Clear Solution to Going Green

capty99 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:37:40 -0600

Today’s homeowner is the most conscientious and well informed in history. Home improvement TV shows and the many Home and Garden Exhibitions are more popular than ever and educate us very well.

Building For the Future

capty99 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:08:07 -0600

By Tom Radack, co-owner, KW Bartlett Real Estate Group, Keller Williams Realty, Kyle Nunnallee, President.

Sustainable Austin : A Metropolitan City

capty99 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:58:54 -0600

By Matt Presley, CEO, Pauly Presley Realty, P2R Consulting,Elizabeth Moliter, VP Sales/Marketing and Director, Green Communities, Pauly Presley Realty, Stephen Oliver, AIA is a Principal at Casa

your Home

Fresh Flowers with a Fresh Twist

Window Tinting : A Clear Solution to Going Green

Building For the Future

Sustainable Austin : A Metropolitan City

Lofty Aspirations

Creating an Urban Style in Your Suburban Home

10 Ways to Save Energy

Water Conservation