6. Bows and Ribbon
There’s just something endearingly sweet and classic about a bow on Christmas.
Whether they’re used as an accent or a focal point, you’ll find bows and ribbon on many trees today.
Bows can be a more cost effective alternative to ornaments and garland, as they just require a bit of ribbon. You can create them from any color, size or style ribbon, making them an easy and simple way to express your creativity.
This is one trend that I’m partial to myself, and have used on all of my trees.
5. Tinsel Christmas Trees
Here’s a trend that you’ve probably noticed on your social media feed recently…
Dating back to the 1600s and made popular in the 1950s, tinsel has had a resurgence over the past couple years.
Traditionally, tinsel was used to reflect candlelight on the tree, making it appear more vibrant and magical. Thankfully, we’ve left the real candles in the past, but many are hopping back on the tinsel train.
Whether you cover your tree or use it as an accent, tinsel is one way to add glam and nostalgia.
4. Flocked Christmas Trees
Dreaming of a white Christmas? A flocked tree may be for you.
Flocked trees gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s, and they’ve recently become more common on social media. These trees add an elegant style and a snowy, wintery feel to Christmas celebrations.
The white branches allows serves as a neutral background to tree decor, allowing ornaments and garlands to pop.
Over the years, the technology and techniques for flocking artificial trees have evolved, resulting in various styles and designs of flocked Christmas trees available today.
3. Sparse and Minimalist Trees
Gaining popularity in recent years, sparse and minimalist trees are the antithesis to the lush, full trees that have traditionally reigned supreme.
Reminiscent of Scandinavian style, these modest trees look as if they could have just been cut down from the backyard. They provide a fresh look and a departure from the conventional fuller trees.
Sparse branches also make decorating the tree simple and easy. There’s no need for an abundance of ornaments and garlands to fill it out (though you can go there, if so inclined).
There’s something sweet and charming about these simple, unfussy trees. They can stand on their own beautifully without looking unfinished or incomplete.
2. Vintage Inspired Christmas
The holidays are a time for nostalgia and old family traditions. Growing up, our tree was full of handmade clay, paper and wood ornaments—each one with a story.
While our tree typically follows a specific theme, I always leave room for some “fun” ornaments that my daughter chooses and helps place on the tree.
There’s something charming and nostalgic about mismatched ornaments collected throughout the years. Reminiscing on the good old days will never go out of style, so go ahead and embrace those sentimental homemade ornaments.
There aren’t many rules with this decorating style, so let the kids get involved and just have fun! You can’t overdo it, so pull all of the ornaments out of storage and load up that tree.
1. Warm Neutrals
The neutral home aesthetic has carried over into holiday decor, and there’s no sign of it slowing down. Shades of gold, brown and ivory are mixed with organic textures to achieve this popular look.
Get the look with wood bead garlands, velvet ribbon, paper ornaments, and natural woven textures in a muted, earthy palette.
If you want a tree that’s simple yet sophisticated with a warm and cozy feel—neutral trees have got it covered.
We look forward to sharing the 2023 Cookie Book with you this holiday season.
The 2023 We Energies Cookie Book celebrates Wisconsin first responders. You’ll find recipes from police, firefighters and EMTs and stories of their service to our communities.
There’s even a little something for your favorite K-9.
Most know cheese and beer are synonymous with Wisconsin culture — and some might argue the game sheepshead is in those ranks as well.
Though the trump card game is lesser-known outside of the state, it's a family tradition for many Wisconsinites. Milwaukee's common council even made a proclamation in 1983 that sheepshead was the official game of the city.
How did Sheepshead gain such a hold here? Click here for more on the game's history...
Where is the Third Ward?
The Third Ward is bordered by Lake Michigan to the east, the Milwaukee River to the west and south, and East Clybourn Street to the north. The neighborhood is just south of downtown.
That said, neighborhood boundaries are subjective. The border of the Historic Third Ward Business Improvement District extends west across the river to North Second Street — even though the river is widely viewed as the western border. READ MORE
Looking to host (or attend!) the perfect Thanksgiving dinner?
Whether you're going for classics like turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, or are looking for ways to shake up your routine (vegetarian Thanksgiving, anyone?), we've got all the tips, tricks, and recipes you'll need, from pie to cocktails, with all the most epic sides in between...
The Season is winding down, but there's still time...
Apple picking season is nearing the end and most farmers markets close the end of October. But, these two (2) venues are still open through the end of November. So, take advantage of them and plan to visit in the next few weeks.
Make your holiday extra festive with a Thanksgiving table setting that is as thoughtfully planned and lovingly executed as your menu. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or planning an intimate meal with family, taking a bit of extra time to set the Thanksgiving table with candles, flowers, cloth napkins, place cards, or a seasonal centerpiece will elevate the occasion and make your gathering more memorable.
Get inspired with these Thanksgiving table settings in a range of decor styles from traditional to modern, with ideas for every budget and mood. READ MORE
Simple updates will keep your decor fresh between October and Thanksgiving.
"Pumpkins on the porch are great October through November; they set such a festive and cozy tone for guests entering your home", says designer Mimi Meacham, who heads into fall decorating mode once the start of school craziness begins wearing off. She recommends waiting until October 1 before putting out live pumpkins. Pumpkins typically only last for a few months, and there's nothing worse than having to toss rotting gourds before Halloween because you put them out too early. Plus, pumpkins do better in cooler temperatures.
Happy Halloween
Textiles are another easy way to introduce an autumnal touch and color scheme in small doses. "As fall approaches, swap out any summer textiles for warmer tones and cozier fabrics for those chilly autumn days," McKay says. "Subdued reds, earthy and rusty hues, and golden tones will set the stage for the cooler months."
If you prefer a neutral color palette, she suggests going for a Nordic retreat look. "Find some heavier neutral knit blankets and cushions, sheepskins, candles, and woven pieces for a cozy fall atmosphere," she says.
Designer Stephanie Perez O'Boyle agrees with this one-step-at-a-time approach. Slowly transition your interior from summer to fall by making small changes throughout the early fall season. "The easiest place to start is your tabletop," Perez O'Boyle says. "A summer table can easily be changed over to fall with a simple refresh that doesn’t break the bank."
2. Take the Layering Approach
Interior stylist Emily Henderson suggests easing into fall decorating by taking the layering approach. Instead of waiting until October and then bringing out every piece of fall decor you own to give your home a complete makeover, this method is a way to pace yourself, stay intentional, and make the decorating process more enjoyable. "You can add a wreath to your door and switch out some pillows or throws," she says. "Then maybe a few weeks later add some pumpkins and other fall decor."
6 Expert Tips Can Help You Plan Ahead
The return of the pumpkin spice latte can only signify one thing—fall is just around the corner. With that comes the great debate about when to start pulling out the pumpkin decorations. There are two camps when it comes to seasonal decorating: Those on team 'it's never too early,' and those who adhere to a strict 'wait until October' rule.
This year, the first official day of fall lands on September 23rd, but you don't have to wait to deck the halls with pumpkins, leaves, and scarecrows. If you're already itching for the warmth and coziness that your favorite autumnal pieces add, we're sharing how to seamlessly begin transitioning from summer to fall.
As summer winds down, we asked interior designers and stylists to share tips and tricks for getting started on autumn decor. They also weigh in on the age-old question of when to start decorating for fall. (Spoiler alert: It's whenever you want!)
1. Start Outside
You don't have to jump headfirst into fall decorating all at once. Interior designer Ami McKay recommends starting with the exterior of your home. "As summer winds down, you may notice your outdoor plants need some TLC, whether it be your vegetable garden or flowers, so take some time to tidy those up for fall," she says. Then, arrange any potted plants that still look good around the front door or on the deck.
To seamlessly transition your outdoor space from one season to another, McKay recommends incorporating plants that have year-round appeal. "Whenever you plan your landscaping, think about potted and in-ground plants that look good in the fall and winter as well as the warmer months and ones that bloom at different times throughout the year.
Both interior and fashion designers are agreeing on the color for this year, HONEY.
The fashion industry is calling it honeycomb, which is a more saturated offshoot of honey.
This fall color is luscious!
Honey and its softer and more muted tones are perfect for fall! Bee honey can be a pale, almost transparent gold and as dark as a golden amber color.
Think about the golden-yellow leaves on autumn trees, the color of freshly cut barley fields, and the caramel in candy. Honey is a warm color that works with so many other colors.
Be sure to add it to your fall color palette this year.
DIY pumpkin displays, lanterns and more cozy touches to delight everyone in the neighborhood.
With autumn comes cooler weather and the chance to lean into all things cozy with budget-friendly fall decorations. There's everything from DIY fall crafts and grapevine wreaths to creative carved pumpkin ideas.
But while you might only be set on decorating your interior for autumn, don't forget about upgrading your outdoor space. You can instantly boost your home's curb appeal with fall porch decor.
6. Metal finishes
A gray scheme finished with metallic accents in gun metal or silver is great for industrial decor, but if you're trying to make a cool gray room look warmer, then warmer metal finishes will work best.
Incorporate metals such as gold, silver, copper, or brass to add warmth and glamour to a gray room. These metals can reflect light and create some shine and dimension in the space. You can use them for lamps, mirrors, trays, vases, or hardware.
So there you have it! 6 ideas to warm the greys without having to get the paintbrush out!
5. Colors to use with grey
Use warm-toned colors such as blush pink, mustard yellow, maroon, or caramel to add some warmth and contrast to the cool gray.
Opposite colors, such as gray and yellow, can sit in perfect harmony together, and will work as one to create a well-balanced scheme rich with both warm and cool elements.
4. Use highly layered textured finishes
A simple way to make a room feel more warm, cozy and inviting is to dress the space with lots of layered texture.
This can be anything from soft pillows, throws and rugs, to decorating a room with an eclectic mix of materials and colors.
It’s not a new trend to have houseplants of course, but they can sometimes be forgotten as a great way to bring natural color and form into a space. If you don’t have lots of space, try grouping small succulents together, they have gorgeous subtle tones in them.
Combining green and gray together makes for a refreshing and sophisticated color pairing, and dressing a cool gray room with a collection of the best indoor plants is a quick and easy way to make the space feel more warm, inviting and relaxing.
2. Warm toned lighting
One of the easiest changes you can do to make your room feel cozier is to make sure your bulbs are warm in tone. Natural light will of course affect the feel of a room. If it’s north facing or doesn’t have much natural light, a room will feel naturally cooler, so a grey wall may feel even greyer.
But once that daylight has gone and you are relying on artificial light, make sure you have a few table and floor lamps to instantly create warm spots in the room.
Wicker, jute and rattan are all on trend right now. The natural warm tones will help to soften things up.
Adding warming wooden tones into a cool gray scheme is a great way to make a room feel more inviting. A timeless natural material, wood can not only connect us with the outside world by bringing the beauty of the outdoors, indoors, it can be used across so many different elements in interior design; from wooden flooring, furniture and accessories, to wood ceiling ideas, wall paneling ideas and more.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/cb2homepage-692fe29964314b4797cdb2ab33f40597.jpg)
You’ve probably noticed that all the magazines are filled with the latest trend towards warm, earthy tones, inspired by nature. The beauty of decorating with gray is that it is a wonderfully adaptable, neutral shade that can be paired with pretty much anything. So when looking into ways you can make a cool gray room look warmer, it makes things easier when updating an existing gray scheme with fresh accent colors, cozy textures and warming finishes.
Our next 6 blog posts will share ways you can change things up a bit, using the latest trends without having to start from scratch.
12. Implement a hobby room.
If the home already has a guest room, empty nesters may opt to turn a child’s former bedroom into a room for themselves. For crafters who have plenty of bobs and bits, a dedicated hobby room frees up storage space elsewhere. The same goes for book enthusiasts, music lovers, photographers, collectors, and other hobbyists.
Having a space to unpack your hobby helps ensure you actually participate in the hobby. In a newly child-free home, empty nesters now have more time to do other things they enjoy. Add the shelves, lights, or desk space you need to truly make the most of your extra free time.
11. Redo the existing bathrooms.
It’s likely been a while since the bathrooms in the home had a makeover. Though some empty nesters may have upgraded their master bathroom at some point, the other bathrooms in the home may have become a bit outdated.
Once the kids are out of the house and there isn’t anyone using the guest bathrooms, it’s the perfect time for a renovation. Small changes, like new light fixtures or towel bars, make a difference, but some homeowners gut the entire room, adding new tile, tub, dual showerheads, vanity, and mirrors. It’s easier to redo multiple bathrooms at once, as you can buy supplies like tile in bulk to ensure all the bathrooms match throughout your home.
10. Invest in new appliances.
Even if they’re not redoing the entire kitchen or laundry room, empty nesters are happy to upgrade their appliances to more modern versions. Over the years, they’ve likely accumulated a hodgepodge of appliances, holding onto the items that still work while the kids are at home.
Now that there is less worry about somebody misusing the appliances, empty nesters may feel more confident in upgrading their washer and dryer, dishwasher, fridge and stove. They may also want to add or replace their garbage disposal, espresso machine, stand mixers, and other smaller kitchen appliances in colors and designs that give their homes a more cohesive feel.
9. Replace flooring.
Over time, kids can do a number on the floors from dropping heavy items, making messy spills, or using the wrong cleaning agent. This doesn’t apply to just specialty flooring; it goes for all types, including hardwood, carpet, tile, and vinyl.
Once a home becomes an adult-only domain, empty nesters may be inclined to finally replace their flooring that’s outdated or just worn out from age. Homeowners can finally invest in modern flooring that will be taken care of properly and add to the home’s value.
8. Repaint interior walls.
After the kids are gone, empty nesters feel like it’s finally safe to paint their walls. Not only does having kids around make it more complicated to paint, but over the years those kids have left their mark in the way of chipped paint and smudges throughout the house.
Empty nesters have likely lived with the same color on their walls for a long time, and they’re looking forward to the makeover a new paint color brings. A fresh application of paint is a straightforward DIY that can make a home look entirely different and symbolize a new phase of life.
7. Create a cozy guest room
Now that you’re an empty nester, you have a spare bedroom. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel and turn the space into something entirely different; a lot of empty nesters opt to keep it as a guest room that their kids can use when they come home to visit.
This common renovation usually sees a refresh to the walls, new bedding, perhaps a different bedroom set, updated bedside tables and lamps, and some thoughtful additions for guests, like extra robes and slippers in the closet.
6. Freshen up the living room décor.
In a home that’s raised children, a living room can have a lot of memories. After all, it’s one of the rooms where families spend the most time together. Parents who want their money to stretch a bit further may put off updating a room that gets so much love because of all the shenanigans that occur there.
However once the kids are on to their next chapter, parents can finally feel free to reinvent this space around a new theme or color scheme with new art, plants, window coverings, rugs, and even updated electronics.
5. Add an entertainment or home theater room.
Empty nesters have worked hard for many years raising their kids, and they deserve a space to chill out for movie night or watch the game. Several of these folks prioritize adding or enhancing their home theater, giving it a dedicated space away from other noise in the home, say, in the basement.
This renovation could be a small change, like swapping out the television for a better one or getting a new surround sound system. For more ambitious homeowners, purchasing plush theater seating or even adding a popcorn bar in the corner of the room creates the right atmosphere for movie marathons. Hard-core film buffs may also opt to add acoustic foam paneling to their walls, so they can enjoy a true home theater experience.
4. Upgrade the kitchen.
The kitchen always serves as a gathering space, but with teens and young adults around, your counters are just as often sat upon as used for food prep. Whether you have dents in the fridge, burn marks on the counter, or a cupboard door that’s on its last legs from being slammed shut too many times, this is the ideal time to give your kitchen some love as one of your first projects.
Reface the cabinets, change the light fixtures, install the under mount sink you like, or do a complete overhaul, including new counter tops and tile back splash.
3. Add a home gym.
Bedrooms are not the only rooms that kids occupy. Once they’re out of the house, the basement or rumpus room becomes fair game for renovation. These rooms become excellent areas to set up a home gym. Having a dedicated workout space may prompt you to get in your morning run on the treadmill, lift weights, or join an online yoga class.
Start by removing all the unnecessary clutter from the room, then add the gym equipment you need, from free weights to cardio machines to a television on the wall so you can follow along with virtual workouts.
Many empty nesters still have years of working ahead of them, and remote working is on the rise. According to Forbes, 25% of all professional jobs in North America are fully remote, with that number expected to increase next year.
After the little birds fly the nest, they leave behind space that can be transformed into a roomy office. Add an ergonomic desk, comfy chair, and the tools necessary for your job—not to mention a convenient snack fridge—and you have a nice work space that will serve you to retirement.
1. Upgrade the furniture.
Now that your kids are no longer around to spill, put their feet on the furniture, or roughhouse, a world of new design options opens up. The furniture pieces you have when the kids are around need to put up with a lot. For this reason, many family homes tend to have darker couches made of washable fabrics to hide imperfections and spill-proof tables and chairs to make clean-up easy, rather than more upscale options.
Parents who have avoided buying premium furniture can now invest in the pieces and materials they’re drawn to, as opposed to what looks “good enough” and tolerates years of misuse. From high-end kitchen barstools to solid wood tables to pristine living room seating, empty nesters look forward to revamping
