By Patricia Hart McMillan
As visual merchandising director for a large Dallas home furnishings store, my criteria for seasonal store decorating was 3-E’s: Efficient, Economical, Effective.
Always on the lookout for ideas that would add Christmas mood, I found the lighting department – especially the chandelier section – a challenge. As I worked on my Fall 2024 book, Christmas at Designers’ Homes Across America, 2d Edition, I noticed the chandelier in interior designer Keith Carrington’s home. Aha! A perfect “3-E” design idea for a retail chandelier section. Could there be more great ideas in my other Christmas decorating books?
There were a number of ideas, but what excited me was Keith’s and other top interior designers “magic wand” — ribbon! What could be easier to work with? After all, no special skills are required. The price for ribbons range in cost to suit any budget, and ribbon is reusable! It also comes in a plethora of Christmas colors (lots of traditional reds and greens, plus all other colors), patterns (plaids, stripes, florals), and finishes (slick satin, ribbed grosgrain, velvet). Widths vary from very narrow to the wide widths needed for large scale. Simply cut the ribbon length to suit the lamp or fixture. Designer tip: Ribbon with wired edges makes decorative shaping quick and easy.
These easy to copy design ideas may inspire your own.
