Janet Butler 
Our homes are expressions of more than just color and style; at this time of year they’re also expressions of holiday wishes and the warmth we hope our guests feel when they come to visit. Here are a bevy of colorful suggestions on how to get that “warm” Christmas feeling all through your house. In the tropics, or want to be there? Put starfish on your wreath, hang them from your chandelier, or grace your front porch with them. Even when it’s cold, a white loveseat on your porch, trimmed with red-and-white pillows and an afghan, is splendid; indoors, a red-and-yellow checkered tablecloth is a nice color change from too much green. Love silver and blue? Do a whole tree in lights and ornaments, wrap presents, and dress your table in those colors. Pink and blue can be Christmassy, too — with pearls or glitter to make them shine!
Tall red amaryllis in glass containers, fat red candles on a tray interspersed with greens, red sparkly ornaments on your table, cranberry-colored glassware, and candy-striped rugs, stockings, and stair decorations bring instant cheer to a white background. Love gold? Pull out the stops: gold-edged glasses, golden ornaments, and gold ribbon on a fireplace-mantel garland are simple yet striking. How about bells? Silver or gold bells can hang from doorways, chandeliers, or trees — or be the stars themselves in a group on a tiered cake platter. And reliable red and green can still be “fresh” in wall hangings, mantelpiece trims, pillows, or tableware, dressed with pompoms or tassels. The only limits are your imagination, so take these ideas and be inspired!
