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Deck The Halls & Garlands Galore

Dec 2018

Sinkology is proud to present Kristan Allen, our design expert and guest blogger who runs the @FarmhouseRedefined Instagram. Kristan is here to share some design ideas and inspiration around designing your home around your Sinkology sink.


I’m not sure how it snuck up on me, but December is here…which means it’s officially time to deck the halls!  I love decorating for Christmas…I always start super early so I can take my time and enjoy every second of festivizing my home.  Who’s with me? 

Staircase with garland and pillows

Aside from the trees and collection of ornaments we’ve amassed over the years, there is one other thing that is always a staple in my holiday décor: garland.  I try to add sprigs of greenery throughout the house because it adds instant cheer, it brings nature indoors (a must for me in my year-round decorating) annnnnd it can last straight through to the new year (another must for me – I love when I can get more mileage out of décor)!

After years of using real garlands, I started getting tired of cleaning up all the needles.  So I decided to try faux garland and haven’t looked back!  There are so many great options out there now that look realistic and will last for years to come.  My go-to is Ballard Designs’ Angel Pine Garland.  It comes in a longer length and its slimmer profile makes it very versatile – whether you’re draping it over a head board, hanging it from your banister or tucking it onto a shelf! 

My first step is always to map out where I want to put my garland and then figure out the lengths I need.  If you’re using faux garland, you’ll only have to do this once!  Don’t forget that you can always cut faux garland to fit smaller spaces.  One length of garland was plenty for my top book shelves because I cut a large piece into several smaller ones. 

I tend to prefer a slimmer profile garland just because I find them to be more versatile. But sometimes, you want something a little heftier! One of my favorite tricks is adding stems to garland to give it a fuller, more natural look.

I took some inexpensive silk eucalyptus bunches, cut them into individual stems and added them to my garlands. I don’t even wire them in…I hang the garland and then just start arranging eucalyptus stems in the pine! I love this looser look because it adds fullness, texture and color!

I also love to add bows…I’m a sucker for ribbon and collect spools and spools of it throughout the year. This gives me a good opportunity to use some of it, right? I’ve learned that it’s easier to make your bows in advance and then attach them with wire wherever you want them.

staircase wrapped with garland I typically use wired ribbon so the ribbon loops keep their shape.  But with these silk striped bows, I used unwired ribbon for a more relaxed look.  I went with a neutral color palette so I can keep these garlands up well beyond the Christmas season.  They just transition to “winter” décor!  How do you use garland throughout the season?  Do you prefer fresh or faux?  I’d love to hear your ideas because I still have a few more halls to deck over the next couple of weeks!


If you have any additional questions during your search for the perfect copper, fireclay farmhouse sink or granite sink, our Sinkologists are here to help. Contact us or follow us on FacebookHouzzPinterest, or Instagram for more helpful tips and design ideas.