Pick a Color Theme

August 1

When decorating for the designer holiday look, pick just two colors and use the theme throughout the house. Of course, red and green or white make a good choice or any color with gold, white, or silver. Ivory and brushed gold are especially elegant. If you are adventurous, add a third color. Try sage green, ivory, and pewter or forest green, burgundy, and gold. Simplest of all: Go monochromatic with just one primary color everywhere. Add variations in hue from light to deep in the same color family. Use it on ornaments, ribbon, table linens, floral arrangements. The possibilities are endless.

Crystal Clear

May 2

In 1764 King Louis XV of France allowed a glass factory to open in the town of Baccarat. It was founded by Prince Bishop Cardinal Louis-Joseph de Laval-Montmorency and has become one of the world’s great creators of crystal chandeliers, paperweights, and decanters. One of the strongest production areas is for crystal perfume bottles, where it produces over 4000 crystal bottles per day. Each year, Baccarat introduces a crystal Christmas ornament with a simple design that is popular among collectors and most recently, a colored glass butterfly.