Festive
front doors
PHOTO BY JOSH MANNING
EXPERT TIPS FOR CREATING ELEGANT HOLIDAY ENTRYWAYS BY SAMANTHA GRATTON
W
hether you are inviting guests inside or aspire to create a festive view of your entryway for neighbors and passersby, your front door sets the tone for your
home’s holiday decor throughout. Decorating this prominently viewed area is also a fun way to embrace the season. “The holidays are a time that people really lean into decor and design,” says Martha Schneider, owner and principal designer of La Maison and Trellis Floral, an interior design and floral boutique in North Hills. “The design aesthetic really tells the story of the direction of what you’re going to do.” Perhaps you have yearly decorating traditions, or maybe this is your first time decking out your door. Regardless, says Ashley Whiteside, interior stylist and owner of Whiteside Art and Interiors, it’s important to keep the fundamentals of design in mind. “There are basic principles that can tie everything together,” she says. “If you are overdoing it or trying to bring together too many things, it can look jumbled, but if you have a strong foundation, it can tie everything together.” Whiteside likes to collaborate with clients by having them ask themselves this question: “If I can’t change everything, what can I change that would elevate the space?”
DIY IT Crafting a holiday wreath is a perfect do-it-yourself project. As Donna Pittman, owner of Flowers on Broad Street in Fuquay-Varina, puts it, “It’s so easy—just time-consuming.” Most designers start with ribbon. Classic reds and soft velvets are holiday favorites. Silver and gold make a statement that can be seen from a distance. For something different, Pittman says many of her clients choose forest green ribbons. A popular color palette at Lloyd & Lady Boutiques in North Raleigh is blue, white and gold, says
LET THE RIBBON BE YOUR GUIDE A popular color palette at Lloyd & Lady Boutiques is blue, white and gold, says owner Keith Lloyd, who created this wreath. “I always let my ribbons tell me what I’m going to do,” he says.
owner Keith Lloyd. “I always let my ribbons tell me what I’m going to do,” he adds. 24 | caryliving.com
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