It’s everyone’s favorite time of year, full of parties, gifts, LOTS of food and, of course time spent with family and friends. As you prepare to host your loved ones this year, don’t panic! We’ve got a secret weapon. Here to help you transform any size space on a budget is Design Consultant Lorraine Carter with Summit Construction.

Lorraine can make any room look like it’s straight from your Pinterest board dreams.  Right now, she’s working on planning the Summit Construction Open House on December 9th, but what she loves even more is decorating her own home for her family and friends to enjoy.

“Decorating for the holidays at my house has always been about the traditions, and most things that you see around in my home really do have sentimental meaning,” says Lorraine.

But making memories and coming up with your own traditions doesn’t have to be expensive, and you also shouldn’t feel like you have to buy everything all at once.

“When my kids were growing up, I made a point to involve them in decorating for the holidays.  Each year, we would paint ornaments together or make decorations like cardboard stars covered in tinfoil or glitter.  I also bought each of them an ornament each year, so over the years they accumulated their own meaningful decorations,” Lorraine says.

When it comes to the other decorations, it really is possible to make your home look beautiful without breaking the bank. Lorraine’s staples include:

  1. Evergreen clippings from the Christmas tree farm or lot- THEY’RE FREE, they smell great and you can use them to decorate almost everywhere. Make your own wreaths, decorate the mantle, and mix in with your lights inside and out.
  2. Candles bring an ambiance to any room. Department stores always have candles on sale, and you can try holiday scents like cinnamon, gingerbread, spruce, and peppermint.
  3. Don’t splurge on overpriced garland. You can get it from the dollar store and mix it into your tree, or your evergreen clippings.
  4. Little touches like ribbon and burlap can make a big difference. Think about areas like the staircase railings, tabletops or your fireplace mantle.
  5. If you’re in a small house or apartment, that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate. Find a small tree that fits your space and make your home festive with seasonal accent pillows or towels in your guest bathroom.

“You don’t have to go over the top to make your home feel magical at the holidays,” says Lorraine. “I never buy anything unless it’s on sale, and if you shop right after Christmas for next year, you can get some great deals.”

Want to see Lorraine’s ideas for yourself? Join us and Summit Construction at Autumn Woods on Saturday, December 9th or Sunday, December 10th for an open house, including pictures with Santa. Located at 401 Charleston Rd. right off Cedar Road, these beautiful luxury townhome condominiums are a step above the others when it comes to quality and craftsmanship.

RSVP here!