Bringing the Christmas spirit into your home

Krysta Anderson, Gleaner Writer

Christmas is almost here, and many Jamaican families are looking to up the ante when it comes to their home decor. Whether they decide to be traditional in choosing a festive look or they prefer to throw out the old and carry in the new, this is indeed the season for giving, so why not give your house a facelift by sprucing things up with accentuating household pieces?

Simple and subtle enhance-ments can make very bold statements in home renovations. According to merchandising manager of Courts Jamaica, Debbie Rowe, some persons drift towards incorporating festive feel into their home, utilising colours such as red, green, gold, and silver.

She noted, however, "Quite a few individuals in recent times have decided to shy away from tradition and tap into innovation instead, upgrading their furniture or household items, or finding pieces that will fit into and improve the overall look and feel of their homes."

Rowe took us inside Courts Liguanea to view the Ashley gallery collection, and carried us into the wonderful world of interior designing, revealing some insightful tips readers can use when putting a creative twist on home decor this Christmas.

Have an accent

Theme plays an integral role in a
household, Rowe pointed out. Variety can spice up any room, but for the
living room and bedroom, look no further as cute and cosy accent pillows
might be just what you are looking for.

Playing around with
print, textures and patterns, as well as mixing and matching different
colours could be the remedy for curing a neutral room, and pillows can
do so much, not only with the colour, but dimension and even
sophistication. Be sure, she highlighted, that these accent pillows do
not clash in colour, but either match or complimentarily contrast, with
little to no colour, already falling within your decor.

"It should speak directly to the individual or the family's personality," she said.

AFTER: To carry the Ashley Cliry living room suite from drab to fab, accessories such as a colourful throw, patterned rug, white ruffled accent cushions, flower pot, white lamp, a glass night table, musician statues, and decorative jars were added.


Light it up

Lighting is very important in setting the right ambience to a room and giving it style as well. It is probably time to throw out that old table lamp that has been sitting on the side table in the living room and replace it with a new more creative one. An average bedroom, Rowe revealed, can be given a new sexy look with a sleek table lamp.

Accessorise me

Individuals can infuse colour into their lives by integrating minor household accessories to give a major change to their living room. Rowe stated that those craving for a change can creatively draw from decorative urns, vases, even plants. Plants are ideal for the living room area because they are soothing, appealing to the eyes and, they also improve the air.

Floor it

An area rug will make the most drastic change to a living room or bedroom. The rug can either add colour, shade, texture or pattern, based on the theme of the room, transforming it from drab to absolutely fab, says Rowe. And depending on the space, an individual can choose to go small, light, big, or heavy, whichever his or her heart desires.



Picture this framed

Framed pictures or paintings add elegance and truly showcase their personality. Landscape and oil paintings look great in just about any room - bedroom, kitchen and living room - and a painting may be what is needed to carry the room from ordinary to chic.

You may choose to go for something exotic, artistic or playful. A photo of a famous person, a motivational quote or a destination spot would suffice. Sentimental family moments can also be framed and put on display.

If it is that these frames need to be changed, Rowe said it is best to discard the old frames and bring in new ones that really help in capturing those special photographic moments.

These small changes can make such a big difference to living rooms, kitchens and bedrooms, without having to worry about making that permanent commitment.

All the furniture and household items on display can be found at Courts Liguanea and Courts Montego Bay.

krysta.anderson @gleanerjm.com