By Jamie Trudell
SPECIAL TO HOMES PLUS
WAUKESHA – Say goodbye to the same
old red and green. This year, Christmas
connoisseurs will be filling their homes
with eye-popping color schemes and spark-
ly trimmings. It’s all about making a state-
ment, and doing it on the cheap.
Betsy Hoke is the owner of Sturgeon
Interiors and a certified remodeler. Her
interior planning and design company has
been serving Milwaukee’s north shore for
the past 30 years, though she has come into
ownership more recently.
As a remodeling consultant, Hoke helps
clients make selections for their remodel-
ing and new construction projects. Aside
from assisting with interior decorations
for a living, Hoke is also an avid Christmas
decorator in her own home. She noted that
she is more traditional in her style, but her
clients often ask her for advice on new
trends and themed decorating.
During the upcoming holiday season,
families will be
doing away with
lackluster shades
and opting for col-
ors that stand out
and make a state-
ment. Hoke
explains that bright
fabrics are popular
right now and peo-
ple will be carrying
over that eye-pop-
ping punch into
their decorating.
For a colorful and
trendy twist, try an
artificial tree in an
unconventional
shade, such as pur-
ple. You can use
this in place of your standard tree or as a
fun addition.
One of the biggest trends this year is
incorporating all things shiny into your
holiday décor for a touch of glamour even
on a limited budget.
“Right now, there’s a lot of mirrored fur-
niture and crystal chandeliers, so there’s a
lot more glitz, and people want to carry
that through in their decorating,” Hoke
said.
The result is flashy décor that transi-
tions well throughout the Christmas festiv-
ities and into the New Year’s celebrations.
To dazzle without overspending, try some
glittery ornaments or sparkly silver gar-
land. You can also add shimmery tinsel to
your tree for a showy effect.
Hoke said that she is often asked about
the best way to display a collection, such
as Santa figurines or miniature angel stat-
ues. Clients have asked whether it’s better
to group all of the items together or spread
them throughout the house, and Hoke
noted that displaying them in one place
makes for a stronger effect.
“A collection always makes more of an
impact if it’s grouped together,” Hoke
explained.
Use a bookcase or even a large end table
to proudly display your treasured items. A
bright tablecloth or ribbons will help draw
even more attention to the collection.
When you’re looking at decorating the
exterior of your home, Hoke suggests
spreading your chosen theme or color
scheme around the house. You can do this
by tying bows to lampposts or wrapping
garland around columns or windows.
During these still-tough economic times,
many consumers want to know how they
can decorate for the holidays without
HOMES PLUS
NOVEMBER 2011
4
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MARILYN BURNS G.R.I.
- Broker Assoc.
- Assoc. Vice President
262-441-0348
mburns@shorewest.com
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Bright colors and
glitzy décor spruce up
this holiday season
Submitted photo
See Bright colors/Page 5
