MODERN VIBE

December 21, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

By KIM COOK

Holiday home decorating gets updated looks

For the trendy, there’s a lot from which to choose.

For habitual home decorators, the holiday season is like, well, Christmas. Creativity runs happily amok as rooms become set pieces for a few weeks.

And while conventional trims and colors remain popular, some people take the opportunity to use more daring hues and accessories.

Marketers have responded with fresh new imagery, prints and colors — “presenting traditional ornamentation in a contemporary way,” according to Phil Lancaster, senior merchandising director for the Atlanta-based home furnishings retailer Ballard Designs.

A decade ago, the idea of jet-black garlands, pink wreaths or turquoise tablescapes for Christmas dinner would have been a tough sell. But more and more, people are accepting a more avant-garde color palette and decorative options.

Holiday issues of shelter and lifestyle magazines offer ideas that run the gamut from effervescent pink and white to serene arrangements of winter greenery, artificial snow and bare branches.

Red and green? Still Christmas’ No. 1 color mix, but now it might be the tree that’s red — Holidaydecorationsdirect.com has a 7-footer for $631.95 — and the lights that are green.

In fact, the blatantly artificial tree is enjoying a popularity not seen since the 1960s. Is it part of our renewed affection for all things midcentury? Whatever is driving the trend, expect to see lavender, teal, chartreuse and even fuchsia trees this season, with garlands to match.

Create a sparkly winter wonderland with West Elm’s ivory sequined tree skirt ($59), embossed stockings ($22) and a silvery manzanita branch to hold tapers ($99).

With metallics remaining a strong trend, consider lustrous mercury glass birds with a copper finish (West Elm, $16-24), silvered bark-covered pillar candles (Pottery Barn, $16-34) and glittery tree topiaries (Pottery Barn, $19-39).

Minimalists will be pleased with a fresh cedar alphabet wreath (Ballard Designs, $35, on sale for $28), and Amenity’s soft stockings with a branch motif (Design Public, $55).

Kick up the merriment with a cheetah-print tree skirt, dotted personalized stockings, and coordinating gift-box stocking holders, in fresh cranberry, chartreuse and ivory (all Ballard Designs, $28-$129).

2Modern.com stocks dVider’s removable wall decals in intriguing modern silhouettes of Christmas trees, stars and reindeers that would work well in a hallway or small powder room ($36-42).