Seasonal Accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
Many US households decorate right after Thanksgiving, in late November, and take decorations down in early January. Real trees last about four to five weeks indoors with regular watering, so buy one in late November or early December if you want it fresh through the holidays. Cut the trunk fresh before setting it in water.
Lean on texture rather than novelty: wool throws, dried grasses, branches, amber glass and candles in rust, ochre and olive. These tones carry naturally through Thanksgiving and into winter. Swapping pillow covers and adding a seasonal arrangement of stems changes a room's mood without anything themed. Pumpkins in muted tones look refined.
Measure from floor to ceiling and subtract the height of the stand and topper, usually leaving 8–12 inches below the ceiling. Check the width too: a 7-foot tree can be 4–5 feet wide at the base. Slim or pencil trees suit smaller rooms and tight corners. Leave room to walk around it.
Choose a palette of two or three colors and one or two materials, such as fresh greenery, brass and glass, and repeat them through the house. Focus decorations in a few places, like the mantel, dining table and front door, rather than spreading small items everywhere. Restraint looks more refined.


























































































