11th Day of Pinterest Christmas

Its day 11 and we want to share with you a unique way to wrap your gifts this year. Follow these steps to create a accordion pleated gift!

 Step 1: Gather necessary supplies...including a gift to wrap.

 Step 2: Fold the paper almost in half. Leave about an 1/2 and inch left. Unfold paper and repeat with other side.

 This will create a center strip. This is the strip you will work from to create the pleats.

 Step 3: Turn the paper over so you have the backside facing up. Starting on one side create accordion pleats coming out towards the edge on the paper. Make 3. Tape down to secure and repeat on the other side.

 Step 4: Now you have a unique and special paper all ready to wrap that gift for your unique and special person.

10th Day of Pinterset Christmas

On the 10th day we share with you a far less expensive way to include a dashing wreath. If you ever walk into your local craft store or home decor store, wreaths are typically $50 or more, BUT if you have a few extra trimmings lying around after your tree has been decorated, you can create your own wonderful masterpiece.

9th Day of Christmas

8th Day of Pinterest Christmas

Oh how I love a good chalkboard. They have been all the rage this year and are a perfect way to express the feelings of the season, from the whimsical, to the magical, from the love to the joy. Chose your favorite description word hang it outside your door or accent it will some trimmings and you will have a lovely decoration piece. 

7th Day of Pinterest Christmas

Recycled Luminary
Here's an idea of how to breathe yule tide cheer into those empty formula cans.  Formula is often the gift that keeps on giving.  But instead of spit up, this time, the gift you'll receive is the warm flicker of a tea candle and twinkling stars.
 

1st...  Remove the label from the can.
2nd...  Draw your desired design.
3rd...  Carefully cut the design away using a utility knife.  Caution: Exacto knives might not be stable enough to cut through the cardboard of the can.

4th...  Place a tea or votive candle inside and...  Trah­lah!  Burn on your front porch or in a line on your sidewalk Christmas Eve.  Santa will find you better!

6th Day of Pinterest Christmas

On this 6th day we share with you an easy and simple idea. How many times to you receive cards, or gift bags, with great images? A great way to preserve that memory or turn them into a beautiful piece of art is by framing them. Over the years I have saved these gems with vintage Santa images. They completely capture the joy of the season and are a simple way to add to the holiday spirit! Here are some of my favorites.

5th Day of Pinterest Christmas

Staircase Chandelier Refresh With a Zest For Christmas.
Embellish simple Hobby Lobby burlap shades with a bit of beaded trim for a little bit of glam.
Marry your chandelier to the rest of your Christmas décor with a few ornaments on decorative
hooks and voila! The whole look is so merry and bright!

4th Day of Pinterest Christmas

Rockin' around the Christmas tree! On this the 4th day of our Pinterest Christmas contest we share with you this unique and magical tree, totally outside the box. With bird cages, ribbons, and household decor, this wonderful tree creates magic for its home!

3rd Day of Pinterest Christmas

To follow up from yesterday here are some pics of the tree we had to pleasure of decorating for our wonderful friend Wendy.

2nd Day of Pinterest Christmas

The Grande Design has been spoiled by our wonderful clients and customers who are and have become our friends.  It's been our pleasure to deck you halls!  One of the opportunities we had a to slather the Christmas spirit around was in the home of Wendy Kendall.  Wendy has a lovely collection of Christmas décor.  We added deco-mesh and yule tide cheer was delivered down the chimney with care...  Okay I get it, the clichés are getting out of hand.  Take some time to browse the pics; and next year, if you have the fixin's or not...  Let The Grande Design deck your halls for rates that won't break your pocket book.  Thanks Wendy & merry Christmas!

1st Day of Pinterest Christmas

Chalk- banner! The chalkboard trend is in full swing and creating a chalk-banner is a simple and easy way to incorporate that trend this holiday season. Use it to display a sentimental saying or quote to capture the feeling of the season.

Special thanks to our dear friend Liz who created this simple yet beautiful piece.
Want to be entered to win a "Design Box" valued at $100? Just repin this last picture on Pinterest and you'll be entered.  Repin all twelve days and you'll have 12 chances to win!

12 Days of Christmas Pinterest Contest

Its time for our 12 Days of Christmas Pinterest Contest. For the next 12 days on Pinterest we will be pinning designs that capture the feelings of the season. Repin those holiday pins for a chance to win a Room Design Box valued at $100! Each pin you repin is an entry to win! Bonus follow The Grande Design on Pinterest for an extra entry!

5 Easy Steps to a FABULOUS Christmas Tree

 Decorating a Christmas tree can be daunting! But there are some tricks and easy steps to elevate that burden, after all the holidays are suppose to be "stress-free" right?! I love a natural tree but I know many use artifical ones, either way these steps work for both.

So to prep, set up your naked tree, secure it in the stand and get ready to trim a fabulous tree!

 

Step 1: Stringing the lights. Three things to keep in mind. First just going around in a spiral formation will leave lots of gaps and holes, not to mention the sparkle will be less than desired. So make sure to zig zag in towards the trunk and back out as you go around. Second don't be afraid of the lights, the more the merrier I say. I tend to use anywhere between 6-8 strands on a 7ft tree. And third keep the lights on as you decorate. This will help as you build to keep the whole picture in mind. 

Step 2: Add your garland. I like to use a minimum of two different sized garlands, whether it be ribbon, deco mesh, banners or popcorn string. It is also a eye catching to have the garland go vertical instead of horizontal. Twist it, turn it, tuck it and bend it. This is an easy step to be creative with as the garland is a great filler and foundation.

 Step 3: Now its time to add to pizzaz. Extra large ornaments. These are what make the tree pop. Don't go overboard with this step, it will take away from their excitement. I use 5-8 of various types throughout the whole tree. Eek look its starting to come together, just two more steps.

Step 4: Small ornaments. These are your classic round globes, or nostalgic ornaments. Cluster them for a more dramatic affect.

 Step 5: Last but not lest, add some garnish. This is the finishing touch...okay maybe the topper is the finishing touch, but the garnish is the unexpected wow that completes the trimming. Lots of people forget about adding garnish but it can truly change the whole look, completing it.

And here it is. Your fabulous tree in 5 easy steps! We here at The Grande Design all hope you have a wonderful holiday season this year.