Holiday Mood Lighting Lessons from Twilight

Credit 

I was at a Christmas party last weekend hosted by one of my dearest friends Tami Rode, (below). During the evening, I was having a conversation with a guest about Christmas trees and she said "I love mine so much I cry when it comes down in January". 

Maria Killam & Tami Rode

And in that moment, I realized that it's because a Christmas tree suddenly becomes this beacon of atmosphere, in everyone’s home. And the whole time that tree is up over the holidays, it doesn’t matter if you still haven’t found the perfect lamp for that corner. For 2 – 4 weeks, you don’t need one.

Source

I also suddenly understood why sometimes Christmas lights are seen in bedrooms. In the past, I see the straggly looking string of lights hanging haphazardly--in a movie set for example--like Bella's in her bedroom in Twilight. . . (above) and I think why?

Source

So now, I get it, it makes total sense! So please, if buying new lights is intimidating for you (trust me I know, every single client that hires me to decorate their home rarely has enough lighting and is always surprised and delighted with the effect of 4-5 new lamps has in a living room) you have my permission to hang a string of white lights in your bedroom.  My new opinion is that it's quite the designer look indeed. And you can even buy these (below) from The Pottery Barn to last year round if you like the fuzz!

Yesterday, when I had a conversation with my mother (she's 64) who is too tired from taking care of my 83 year old dad with Parkinsons to put up a tree I rushed out to Abbotsford in the late afternoon and made it happen (below):

My mom loves pink and turquoise and she must have coloured lights on her tree!

I also grabbed a string of leftover white lights (of course mine are white) that I had in my Christmas box and hung them up in my Dad's bedroom (he spends most of his days in bed now).

Photo by Maria Killam

When they were hanging just like this (above) my Dad said, "Leave it like that, I like it". I said "Don't you want me to at least hang them so they frame the window?  “No”,  he said “I like it just like that.”

So there you have it, a real live example proving that ambient lighting = happy :)  So get some however you can, especially after Christmas, it will make me (and you) happy.

If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me for on-line or in-person consultations.


Related posts:

The Enchanting World of Atmosphere
The 5 Accessories Everyone should Have in their Home
Embrace the Dark Side of your House; Lighting 101
3 Things I Learned about Design while Decorating for my Mother

New to this Blog? Click here ; Follow me on Facebook and Twitter; Become a True Colour Expert