Holiday decorating

I seem to be talking about color lately.

When you think of this time of year, red and green come to mind.

There is something about seeing all of the decorations up WAY too early every year (I swear I saw some up right after Halloween this year) that makes me want to do the exactly opposite. I do holiday decorating for client’s homes…I see the red and green everywhere I go from the bank to restaurants to every retail store. (Don’t even get me started on the music blaring either!)

I wouldn’t exactly call myself a Grinch, but there is something about all of the commercialism that just ruins the holiday excitement for me.

This year, I decided to do something a bit different and much more me.

Who says you HAVE to use red and green?

It just so happened that The San Francisco Chronicle was interested in the way that I decorated as well. You can check out this story HERE and see how three different designers decorated their spaces for the holidays. Each one is different and unique in its own way.

What do you do to decorate your place?

Do you stick with the red and green or do you own thing?

Whatever your holiday traditions are- wishing you a wonderful rest of the year and looking forward to a great 2012!

Here were some of my tips from the article:

For Grant K. Gibson, holiday decor is synonymous with a classic but organic and refined look. Instead of decorating with a traditional tree that takes up space, Gibson prefers to outfit his apartment in Pacific Heights with a tablescape framed by hanging boxwood wreaths, vintage silver ornaments from the Alameda flea market strung with raffia from magnolia branches in urns in varying heights, and stacked boxes wrapped in crisp white paper and tied with simple black ribbons.

"I live in a small apartment and don't have a lot of room for a big tree," says Gibson, who was named one of Elle Decor's "5 up-and-coming designers to watch" earlier this year and whose work has graced the pages of publications including House Beautiful.

"I like to keep the look classical and timeless but with a twist, using a juxtaposition of different textures and layers so it's not so one-dimensional. This is relaxed, approachable, doesn't seem overly commercial, and allows plenty of room for entertaining."

Gift-wrapping tips:

Consider unexpected materials. "I like to use Chinese newspaper from Chinatown and twine for wrapping gifts. It is a very humble and simple way to add interest."

"Use one type of paper to wrap gifts. It ties everything together and makes it consistent. It doesn't look so busy and cluttered."

"I send cards and give gifts after the first of the year. It makes it extra special, and this way it's not jumbled together with all of the other cards and presents."

San Francisco sources:

Sue Fisher King (3067 Sacramento St., S.F., suefisherking.com). "It's the perfect place to buy anything for the holidays. I love the scented candles, linens and jewelry there. It's my favorite store in the city, and I send everyone there from out of town."

The Ribbonerie (3695 Sacramento St., S.F., ribbonerie.com). "They have a great selection of grosgrain and velvet ribbons."

Trader Joe's (traderjoes.com). "I get bunches of white roses here as well as pomegranates."

Green Apple Books (506 Clement St., S.F., greenapplebooks.com). "I'm there just about every weekend. Vintage books make such great gifts."

Traditions:

"We do our holiday celebration on Christmas Eve. I cook for days and always have everyone over to open presents. I like to give mason jars with bing cherries, half a cup of brown sugar and bourbon. I love how the cherries turn the bourbon a deep, dark shade of burgundy. It makes a great drink as is on the rocks, or you can mix it and make a Manhattan with bitters and vermouth.