Decorating with Wallpaper
By Jaima Brown

(ARA) - In every sense of the word, Americans are coming home for the holidays. By all accounts, we're dreaming of a gentler holiday season this year -- less hustle and more hearth. Entertaining at home is taking precedence over grand events, and families are rediscovering the pleasures of making their own decorations and gifts.

Given a few easy-to-assemble materials and a little time, this homeward focus can prove to become one of the most memorable and enjoyable holiday seasons ever. Is less more? Yes indeed and here are six perfectly plaid ideas for proving that point.

They are set forth in a dining room dressed for success at Christmas and throughout the new year with complementary red plaid and rose patterns from the new Kenilworth collection by the Patricia Kent Studios division of S.A. Maxwell Co. Red is not only the color of Christmas, but also the warmest color in the palette and the leading home fashion hue right now. All the decorations and gifts are made from wallpaper leftovers -- as thrifty as they are satisfying to make.

Run with Roses

Cut two strips of the die-cut red rose border exactly the length of a plain white or cream-colored tablecloth and place them, back-to-back, with the sculptured edge on the outside, right down the center of the table. For a centerpiece, line a square or rectangular box that is about four inches deep with plastic. Wrap the outside of the box with red plaid wallpaper from Kenilworth that is perfectly color-coordinated with the rose table runner. Stuff the box with an abundance of roses, all clipped to a uniform height that allows their blossoms to stand just above the rim of the box. This American beauty centerpiece captures the eye without blocking guests' eye contact. Silk or paper roses will do, but only real ones blanket the table in a glorious rosy fragrance.

Be Seated

Place cards help put guests at ease the moment they come to the table. Cut a 6 1/2 by 3-inch rectangle of plaid wallpaper and fold it in half, plaid side out. Then trim about a half inch from one end with pinking shears, and write a guest's name -- in red, green or gold ink -- on the white area. You can punch a hole in each nametag and tie it with ribbon or raffia around a napkin on each plate or around a wine glass at each place setting.

Add Light

Votive candles, like the low centerpiece, warm and decorate the table without interfering with conversation. Measure a length of plaid wallpaper, long enough and high enough to encircle a round or square glass for each guest. Punch the paper with a few holes for a twinkle-effect and wrap the glasses. Insert a tea light in each one and light up.

Rosy Reflection

Christmas is all about gilding the lily, so why not add to the décor by outlining the inside edge of a gold-frame mirror with Kenilworth's die-cut border? Place the straight edge against the frame's inside edge, and cut a 90-degree angle at each corner for a mitered look. Finish it off with a bow of beautiful gold ribbon at the top.

Hang with Care

Make a template of a Christmas stocking and trace the outline on some pieces of plaid, and some pieces of the rose-pattern wallpaper. Glue pairs of the wallpaper cutouts together along the edge, or stitch them together with thin gold thread. Fill each one with a rose or a dried hydrangea blossom, or even a candy cane, and hang them along the mantel or simply pile them into a beautiful basket and hand one to every visitor who knocks on your door.

Scatter with Stars

To create a star, make accordion folds in a rectangle of wallpaper, then fold the paper in half and tie it tight at the center with a piece of red, green or gold ribbon. Fan out the "accordion" on either side of the ribbon until the two ends meet to form a circle. Tape the edges together, and then cut between each pleat. These can be made in sizes ranging from tiny ornaments to a wreath and hung at random throughout the house.

A Christmas Bonus

Leftover wallpaper makes the best possible wrapping paper -- sturdy, yet beautiful and not limited to the standard wrapping-paper sizes. For a truly personal present, you might create a CD of your favorite holiday music. Insert a square of wallpaper inside the CD box as your personal "signature" and reminder of this happy holiday season.

Wrapped in plaid, it's a perfect way to say: Welcome to our home for the holidays! 
To find the nearest retailer carrying Kenilworth, by the Patricia Kent Studios division of S.A. Maxwell Co., call (847) 932-3700 or visit www.samaxwell.com. Courtesy of ARA Content

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