Designer Molly Wood gives advice on how to easily make your home feel festive.<\/b>
\nTransforming your home into holiday central can seem like an overwhelming task when you consider the expanse of d\u00e9cor trends out thereon Instagram. You start thinking about floral arrangements, tablescapes, mantels, wreaths and pretty soon there is too much to do and not enough time to do it.
To help you ease into holiday prep, we spoke to Molly Wood of Molly Wood Garden Design in Costa Mesa for advice on how to add festive style to your home without the stress.
\u201cAt the end of the day, if someone stands back and loves what they\u2019ve created, that\u2019s all that matters. The number one rule is that decorating is supposed to be fun,\u201d said Wood.
These six tips from a local expert will get you started and help you find the joy in your party planning.
1. Simplify the space
\u201cI would first do a general de-cluttering of your house because you\u2019re going to be bringing more items into the space,\u201d said Wood. By clearing some of your everyday d\u00e9cor, you can create a blank backdrop that will highlight your holiday goods.
2. Choose 3-4 places to focus your d\u00e9cor
\u201cCreate more impact by choosing focal points like the entry table, kitchen island or mantel,\u201d said Wood. Make the task of decorating more manageable by selecting a few areas that will set the mood without overwhelming your existing interior design.
3. Include elements of nature
\u201cOne of my must-haves is fresh greens. I always like to bring some sort of natural element into the story,\u201d said Wood. Some of her go-tos include magnolia leaves, eucalyptus, dark greens, succulents, air plants and dried star pods because they have a long shelf-life and still look good when dried.
4. Say \u2018yes\u2019 to candles
\u201cI like to bring out the Beeswax candles because it is a time for decadence. They smell good and burn clean,\u201d said Wood. She also suggests displaying candles of varying heights and shapes\u2014 Think tall taper candles next to wide pillar candles.
5. Play up one color
\u201cWhen you focus on one color it really becomes impactful. The hardest thing to do in all of design is editing, so maybe choose either red or green,\u201d said Wood. The primary color can be balanced with a secondary color like gold, silver or black to make the traditional color pop.
6. Make the most out of your centerpiece
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have a few things that hold the table when nothing is there,\u201d said Wood. She suggests a multilayered centerpiece with sections you can move off the table once the surface is set for a meal.<\/p>\n

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