* Effective January 1, 2024, I am officially retired! * My blog remains accessible online to share my decades of experience with readers who find inspiration, ideas, tips, tricks, and resources here in the many blog posts I've written since 2000. Thank you all for your support & encouragement, and don't forget to have fun with disPLAY!!!

Deb's Top 10 Ornament DisPLAY Ideas


My TOP TEN Ornament DisPLAY
tm Tips:

1. Turn a fan trellis (wood or wire) upside down – voila! A Christmas tree!
Hang ornaments in between the supports.

2. Use wire wreath forms horizontally in graduated sizes to create a hanging ‘tree’ shape.
Dangle ornaments and ribbons from both the outside and inside edges – even lights!

3. Fill tall glass vases and wide bowls with unbreakable ornaments (fabric, wood, resin) for a contemporary look.
4. Bring nature in: Big bare branches can sweep down from the ceiling to hold an array of twirling items.
Paint black for Halloween, then flock white for Christmas and winter seasons!

5. Hang wire wreath forms on the wall in a line, then display ornaments of one color on each –
create a rainbow! Great way to top a wall of hooks with ornaments on it.

6. Get Sweet! Pop pastel or bright ornaments into cupcake tins with paper liners, sundae and candy dishes,
and even into real ice cream cones propped up in a juice glass!
Try ice cream tubs, egg cartons, jewelry boxes…think outside the proverbial ornament box.

7. Fill up a real sink – or bathtub! – with white poly batting, then nestle clear, white, and iridescent balls on top like bubbles!
‘Float’ a few above using fishing line. (Great way to highlight bath gift items)

8. Old windows and French doors, sans glass panes,
can be hinged together to form a freestanding screen.
Hang ornaments in each pane with ribbon. This forms a great backdrop for a vignette.

9. Don’t forget to use NON-ornaments on your trees, wreaths, tabletops, and mantel displays:
teacups, plates, purses, books, toys, garden supplies, sachets, art, lamps, etc.
Inspire your customers to use their personality to decorate!

10. Tree toppers are best displayed on mantels or in centerpieces –
slip them into tall glass cylinder vases or slide them over a taper candle in a candlestick for stability.
And on trees, use unique things like chandeliers, angel wings, giant snowflakes, etc. as toppers!

'Fast, Cheap & Easy' Display Trees

This post appears today on my DIY Decorating blog HOMEWARDfound...
and since the idea began with my retail display work, I thought I'd also share it here.

Years ago, in the course of my retail visual merchandising career,
 I created a Christmas Ornament Display Tree using a wire tomato cage.
It was a last-minute solution on a budget - and it worked.

Many years after that, I was asked by a well-known winery to create something
simple . easy. contemporary . and CHEAP
for their Holiday retail displays in their wine shop.
And I created the wire trees all over again:
See those and learn HOW to make them after the jump....

Top Holiday Posts

 My stats are telling me that ALL of the current search results sending viewers here are for
 Retail Holiday Display ideas... 
so I've compiled a list of my posts on those subjects for easy access. Enjoy!

 Display Basics can be found in my videos on YouTube
Find links to them in my 'Videos' tab up above


Forward-Thinking Design

I stumbled across this image that I snapped at the Seattle Gift Show back in 2009...
it's the Lollia booth, located on the Skybridge between the North and South halls of the Washington State Convention Center.

I love everything about this booth design and displays. Everything.

It perfectly fits the feminine nature of the product line and the brand image. It reflects the burgeoning (even in 2009) style of using reclaimed materials in displays. The tight color palette is crisp and clear and does not distract from the products. The curvy table legs and chandeliers and wallpaper motif again reflect the brand's feminine aspect. And chandeliers? HELLO? In 2009, they were just about the hottest design motif in Christendom. There's light to draw you in. There's a spaciousness that allows everything to be seen at a glance - but enough detail to draw you closer. Nothing is jarring or distracting - your eye goes EXACTLY where they want it to go: dead center.

Perfection. And forward-thinking, because this tradeshow booth display would work just as well today as it did five years ago. And it could be replicated in every store that carries these products. That's good design.


Clever Display Prop: Vintage Sink

Today on my seasonal home decorating blog HOMEWARDfoundDecor.com,
I shared one of my fave tips for creating a versatile decor item.
Since it also works like a charm as a display fixture in a store or show booth, 
I thought you might like to see it as well.

Yeah, it's a vintage sink. But it has a SECRET...
Now THAT is 'Fast, Cheap & EASY'TM!

For more ideas using vintage sinks as display props,
and the fun story of how I came up with this prop idea, visit the post here.

Published: BROADWAY+THRESHER Magazine

Broadway+Thresher Magazine July/August 2013
I am pleased to have contributed editorial content to this brand new lifestyle publication.
My story 'To Plant A City' features award-winning independent filmmaker Tyler Faires,
as he documents the growing Locavore food movement in Northern California.

You can view the story and my interview with Tyler here

 BROADWAY+THRESHER GIVEAWAY:
The magazine is giving away two copies of Tyler's award-winning film 'To Plant a City',
provided by Tyler - ENTER HERE
 
Visit BROADWAY+THRESHER here
Order a print copy of Issue I here
Subscribe here