Archive | December, 2011

Eight Decorative Nights

I have a soft spot for the “J Team” considering that one for my very first do-ovah’s was in the home featured at the end of THIS music video! (starting at 2:49) Ok…so it’s a total dance party and MK Design isn’t really featured but for reals…a Do-Ovah happened!  Sorry, back to Hanukkah or is it Chanukah, either way, let’s face it…how awesome is a holiday that may or may not use a silent C!

This year I got my first call to decorate someone’s home for the eight nights of eight lights.  Her seven year old daughter was feeling deprived of holiday cheer and since she had never decorated for the holiday before, she had no idea where to begin.  We jumped in the car, popped a little Adam Sandler into the tape deck, then strolled the aisles of Home Goods for some festive blue and silver.   I wanted to steer clear of any traditional holiday decoration for fear of being goyish (Yup…new word for me) so we decided to create a winter wonderland atmosphere instead.

We bought a package of blue and silver ornaments, silver pine cones, and some glass snowflakes to adorn the entry to her family room.  She already had some glass figurines that we used to incorporate into the winter wonderland theme.

A silver bowl filled with the ornaments and pinecones is just enough!

We flanked the mantel with two snow covered trees in silver pots.  We added the blue beads, some blue and sliver glittery butterflies, some dazzling dragonflies, and topped it off with a glitzy owl.  We even found a string of lights with silver balls attached…the perfect Hanukkah bush!  And what’s Hanukkah without some gelt, dreidels, and a menorah.

Mazel Tov to THAT sparkle!

We also adorned the mantel with some silver snowflake garland.  What a great way to display holiday cards as they arrive!  Who’s your baleboste now?!?

It’s so cozy…don’t you just want to curl up and light the menorah?!?

If you are a chosen one celebrating this week, I hope this gave you a little inspiration.  Enjoy those nights with your family and friends and give the dreidel a spin for me!

SHALOM

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It’s an MK Christmas

I love finding new ways to use old holiday decorations!  My mom was getting rid of this little piece of “Country Christmas” and I snatched it out of her donation bin.

With a little spray paint and some new decorations I whipped this baby into a “brand” spankin’ new tree for MK Design World Headquarters.

Now that’s what I call branding!

Do you decorate your office?  I’d love to see how you use your company logo to enhance your holiday decor.

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Five Festive Fideas

I’m a sucker for countdowns anytime of year, but especially THIS time of year!  Now this isn’t the Best of MK Design 2011 (um…blog idea….yes please!) but, here are the TOP FIVE decorations that I love in my own home this year.

5. Mirror, Mirror, on the Table

For my dining room tablescape, I love the look of mirrors under flowers or candles.  I purchased these for about $5 a few years back and have certainly gotten a ton of use out of them.  I may change the colors and the scene, but I always love the dimension it adds!

4. What’s Old is New Again

While shopping a thrift store after being completely inspired from Mr. Goodwill Hunting (Thanks Nate Berkus) I came across this beautiful oval vanity mirror dressing table tray.  My mom has one of these, and of course, rush in childhood memories of a little girl sampling all her scents and searching through trinket boxes of treasure….I digress!  Let’s just say for $2.95 I had to have it.  And just when you think you can’t dress up a candelabra, throw it on this vintage tray with some glass ornaments, some fresh sprigs of holly, and it’s even fancier! (Full Disclosure: I have 2 young boys. They are 4 & 7 and, as amazing as they are, they are two young boys.  I know I probably should have lit the candles for the photo…but I’m real…and in real life that would NEVER happen. Open flame behind a couch spells disaster in the making, just sayin’.  Back to the countdown! )

3. Brimfield Find

Vintage boxes were all over Brimfield last fall, and when I saw this one, I knew EXACTLY were I was putting it.  The only problem was, September was SO FAR away from December (OK, it’s really not, but try buying a fabulous new pair of shoes and not wearing them for two months…ya with me!?)  Anyhoo, Brimfield was a highlight of my year, so clearly it just HAD to be included!

2. Let It Snow

I am all about the indoor blizzard!  Seriously, that fake snow stuff isn’t just for a big mall store trees.  Pick up a bag and I’m guessing you’ll have a hard time putting it down.  It adds such a beautiful layer to your Christmas Tree and, quite frankly, it’s super fun to apply.  I like to call it “Hucking Handfulls”!  Even the biggest Grinch’s heart will grow three sizes while throwing handfuls of snow onto their tree.  Oh, and don’t worry too much about the mess, I like to think that the snow looks prettier than the pine needles that inevitably drop.

Here we are at my number one favorite decoration this year…DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

1. Pretty Little Lanterns

I bought almost 50 mason jars and filled them with epsom salt then added votives and lined the stonewall along walkway to my front door.  They look so purtty as the epsom salt snow glistens with the twinkle of the candles.  Such an easy and inexpensive way to add just a little more sparkle to your holiday!

What are your favorite decorations this year?  Post pictures to my facebook page…I’d love to see what festive things you are up to!

 

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