Ask A Pittsburgh Expert: How To Decorate Your Home For Thanksgiving
Donna Ryzinski has a diverse background, and just like her tips on Thanksgiving, she is a dynamic individual who provides a confident working relationship with her clients. Her versatility and myriad of experience in working with colors, design and attention to details make for a perfect fit for any interior decorating need. Donna works from home, and that gives her the advantage to make a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere so her clients can see her creativity and energy. Donna's wealth of knowledge in interior design and planning the structure of your home from room to room involves a combination of colors, furniture and accessories.
Donna Ryzinski, Allied ASID
Owner, Principal At DMR Interiors
1472 Laurel Drive
Sewickley, PA 15143
(412) 259-8279
Donna Ryzinski is a graduate of Meredith College in North Carolina for Interior Design with a minor in Studio Art, and was an award winner in the Otto Zenke Interior Design Competition in ASID of the Carolinas. Before college, her work experience began as a beauty advisor and counter manager at Belk's in North Carolina for 5 years, and then at Lancome and Chanel Cosmetics for 8 years in the Greater Raleigh area of North Carolina. As a summer design intern at Ivy Cottage, Donna was responsible for working with clients, furniture and accessories, space planning, decor and merchandise displays. Donna is the owner at DMR Interiors, and is the principal designer with three years of experience in the Pittsburgh area. Now she shares these great tips for decorating your home for Thanksgiving.
First Impressions
When first decorating for Thanksgiving, start with your front door. Greet guests with a warm and welcoming environment that will get them in the holiday mood. Start by attaching tall corn stalks, pillars, or light fixtures on either side of the front door. Add mums potted inside pumpkins, assorted large colorful gourds and a fall wreath to complete the look.
Create A Warm Welcome
The foyer of the home should be used to set the mood of the season. Remove everyday decorative items from a chest or console table in the foyer. Display assorted Thanksgiving decor including decorative turkeys, carved wooden or ceramic Pilgrims, assorted colorful gourds, small pumpkins and fiery crimson leaves gathered from outdoors. Add pumpkin scented candles to help create a warm holiday feeling.
Table Of Thanks
Start a new Thanksgiving tradition by creating a Table of Thanks. On a fall themed table runner, arrange framed photos of family, friends and mementos of life events that make you happy and grateful. Add a book where your Thanksgiving guests can write what they are thankful for. Every Thanksgiving, ask your guests to write entries in the book. It will surely become a treasured family keepsake.
Related: Ask A Pittsburgh Expert: Your Best Thanksgiving Pie Recipe
Mix It Up With Metallic
There are no rules that say you must use autumn colors in your table scape. Create a glam version of the Thanksgiving table by gathering pumpkins, apples, acorns, leaves and branches and gild them with silver or gold spray paint. Swap out orange pumpkins for mercury glass ones. Mix in silver or gold plate chargers, as well as candles of varying heights to add sparkle. Arrange your display on a silver or gold table runner to pull it all together.
The Thanksgiving Mantle
Interspersing gourds and pumpkins of varying sizes, colors and shapes with tree branches from your back yard provides a lovely display of fall color and texture. Using branches with berries and adding colorful leaves among the branches create additional interest. Another decorating idea for your mantle is to display monogrammed pumpkins. Simply carve or paint your monogram onto a pumpkin. Font shapes will determine whether your pumpkin has a traditional or contemporary feel.
Gerry Cernicky is a retired health and physical education teacher with 36 years of experience. He is a former teacher of the year and a sports writer for the Vandergrift News. He delivers podcasts, and maintains a website and blog. He currently resides in Pittsburgh. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
