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Christmas is just around the corner, and most homes are decorated. Christmas trees are also expected to be seen since they are the most popular decor worldwide. The history goes back to evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome. The tradition continued with the Germans, bringing candlelit trees to the United States in the 1800s. Read on to learn more about the Christmas tree and its origins. 

How it all started

Even before the spread of Christianity, people regarded plants and trees that remained green all year to be remarkable. People during ancient times hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows, just like how we turn them these days. 

During winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, ancient people believed that the sun god had become sick and weak. The solstice is celebrated because this means that the sun god will become well again. The evergreens reminded them of all the other green plants and that summer would return with more blooms. 

The ancient Egyptians worshiped the god Ra. When Ra began to recover from his illness during the winter solstice, the Egyptians filled their homes with green palms, representing the triumph of life over death.  

The Romans celebrated the solstice with a feast that they called Saturnalia. This was to honor Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. The solstice is a reminder that the farms will again be green and productive. As such, their homes were decorated with boughs of evergreen. 

Christmas trees in Germany

Records have shown that Christmas trees should be credited to the Germans. During the 16th century, Christians added trees to their homes and decorated them. Many families also created pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles. People also believed that the 16th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther was the first to add lit candles to a tree. He shared this idea with his family when he erected a tree in the main room and decorated it with lighted candles. 

American Christmas trees

Christmas trees in America were only known in the 19th century when the German settlers of Pennsylvania displayed trees. As early as the mid-1700s, German immigrants already had community trees that closely resembled the Christmas trees we know today. However, the Americans did not accept Christmas trees immediately in their culture as they saw them as pagan symbols. 

It was in the 1890s that Christmas ornaments arrived in the United States from Germany. This was also the period of the rise of the popularity of Christmas trees. In contrast with the Europeans, American Christmas trees usually are tall and reach from floor to ceiling. By the 20th century, Americans decorated the trees with homemade ornaments, apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. The availability of electricity made it possible to use Christmas lights that will make the trees glow. 

Since then, Christmas trees have been mass-produced and made available to the public worldwide. For countries where evergreens are expensive, artificial trees were made available commercially along with Christmas decorations and lights. These days, almost everybody has their own Christmas tree in their homes. Others created their version of the tree using twigs and branches. 

Check out our Holiday collection and be inspired.

If you plan to have a wall decorating project soon, consider what to display on the walls. If you plan to hang eye-catching photos, choose between canvas and posters. Before deciding what to use, know the difference between canvas and poster prints. Let us take a closer look at their differences and similarities.

Posters – what are they?

The display of posters is one of the most affordable ways to spruce up your walls. The designs of the posters are usually replicas of art printed on paper. Posters come in various sizes, and the biggest can be a banner. In addition, the paper can be glossy or matte, and both can significantly impact the entire room. 

What are canvas prints?

Canvas prints are not paintings. Contrary to what many people think. These are images that are printed on canvas fabric and hung on walls. The surface texture may resemble paintings, offering the same acrylic vibe. The canvas can be in polyester, linen, cotton, jute, or hemp, depending on your preference. Once the images are printed, they are stretched on wooden frames and stapled at the back. Canvas prints have higher-quality images and carry every detail of the original photo. 

The difference…

When it comes to their origins, both poster and canvas prints are products of lithography; however, posters are closely associated with the initiation of chromolithography. Next are the materials used in both types of prints. This was mentioned above, in which posters are printed on paper and are pretty delicate compared to canvas prints. Canvas prints are sturdy, durable, and resilient. In terms of their prices, canvas prints are more costly than posters since you are using fabrics of different kinds. 

Choose what suits you

Canvas and poster prints also have their pros and cons. Canvas printing companies will promote their products and tell you theirs are better. On the other hand, posters can help create compelling walls worth flaunting on social media. There is a wide range of designs available that can transform your walls. From black and white prints to personalized posters, there are trendy designs that will complete your wall-decorating 

Black and white can create a room that is timeless and elegant. Decorating your room or space with black and white art can create a stunning and dramatic appearance that will look impressive. If you are uncomfortable or unsure about using colors, black and white are the safest hues.

Perfect shades for your interior

Using black and white in interior decorating offers any room a fresh, clean, and elegant appearance. These colors are perfect for any decorating style and are preferred by many homeowners and decorators. Many consider these colors the safest to use with different interior design styles. 

Contemporary-themed interiors usually use black and white to blend with metals. This is also true with the Country design style, as the colors may blend well with wood and other natural materials. If you want more style with black and white, add variations such as red, yellow, or purple to some areas. However, make sure that black and white would still be prominent for them to be the room’s focal point.

Why decorate with black and white prints?

Creating wall art is one of the easiest and most extraordinary ways to make any room look more fun and exciting. Wall art can likewise be the focal point of any room and space, offering various effects on the overall appearance. 

Designing wall art can be tricky, and grids are highly recommended as they are the most uncomplicated layout. In addition to these, grids are symmetrical and appealing to the eyes. Displaying black and white art can evoke a timeless classic that all ages will love. Vintage black-and-white art can make the walls look clean and allow you to add colors and other decorative items.

Displaying black and white prints can strike a balance. The black, for instance, can add a sense of elegance or sophistication. Posters with black outlines convey authority, power, formality, and class. White, on the other hand, balances black. White represents cleanliness, peace, health, and new beginnings. These colors are easy to use and blend well with any statement of the room. 

In a nutshell

Every room deserves a makeover to make it look more personal and appealing. Using black and white can add drama and sophistication to any room or space. If you want to decorate any room but are still deciding what to add, using black-and-white art is the safest and easiest way. Black and white alone or combining them with other accent colors can evoke a simple and classic statement.

Black-and-white prints can be displayed in different ways. The most common is creating a wall gallery of black-and-white images. These posters will not only add an accent to the walls. They will likewise generate an atmosphere that will bring you back in time. 

Scandinavian design style is one of the world’s most loved interior design styles. It was a movement in the 1950s, and the concept originated from the countries of the Scandinavian region. If you seek a comfortable space, the Scandinavian interior design style suits you.

The Scandinavian design style

The Scandinavian design style is a movement that started during the 1950s. It focuses on simplicity, minimalism, and functionality. The principle of the design style is that the interior and everything in it should be appealing and functional. It is also essential that the decorative items are affordable to many. 

The movement was the emergence of a Scandinavian form of social democracy. During the 1950s, there was an increase in the availability of new low-cost materials and methods for mass production. As such, materials like form-pressed wood, plastics, and anodized or enameled aluminum are typical in Scandinavian-inspired homes. 

Simplicity vs. Minimalism

Simplicity and minimalism may sound the same. Over the years, there have been debates about their differences. People think both are similar, and there are good reasons why the two words should not be used interchangeably. Strictly speaking, simplicity is the state or quality of being simple. Minimalism is any style or design in which few elements are used to create a significant impact.

Think of minimalism as a storage where all your needed belongings are stored. Some may find this living a challenge as you may need to devoid yourselves of some luxuries. Minimalism is a concept that has been developed for almost a century. The guiding principle of minimalism is “less is more.” One needs to strip off the necessary until only the core parts remain.

How to decorate with Scandinavian design style

Here are some creative ways to bring the design style to your home:

1. One of the highlights of the Scandinavian design style is a clutterless living space. Invest in furniture pieces that will stand the test of time. In most cases, the furniture pieces are multifunctional, so you need not add more. The idea is to remove an item from your rooms instead of adding more.
2. Buy only pieces that can bring joy. Style your room with only one favorite item. As such, you will appreciate the beauty of the item. 
3. Use warm, soothing colors like white, gray, and earthy tones to have attractive, well-balanced rooms.
4. Nature is vital in the Scandinavian design. Add personality to your room with linen, wool, and wood. Elements of nature can bring warmth and coziness to your home. It is common in a Scandinavian-inspired to see natural light and greenery. 
5. Decorate your walls with minimalist-inspired posters, as the colors and design can bring balance to your home. 

The walls are usually the first thing you see when entering any room. It is a necessity that they are designed and decorated correctly to add value to any home. Many homeowners are satisfied with the paint and wallpaper. However, other ingenious and innovative ways exist to make the wall look more remarkable and exciting.

Paint is the standard wall covering in many homes. The colors usually used are white, cream, yellow, and pastel. Unfortunately, staring at plainly colored walls may be dull. These days, creative and artistic designing of the walls is becoming the trend. 

You can create a compelling wall design using different materials to impress your family and friends. Here are some ideas you can use to make the walls look fun and exciting in your home. 

Add thrill with floor-to-ceiling tiles

Adding tile to your walls is one of the exciting ways to cover the walls and should be done to only one wall of the house so as not to be overwhelming. The tiles not only give beauty to the living room but also give an impression of a high ceiling. 

Give your walls some wood elements

This wall-covering project can be done by recycling or upcycling certain wood materials, such as palettes. Adding them to the walls can give a rustic appearance to the living room. 

Be innovative with stencils

Shapes and other motifs can be a focal point in the living room. This can be done by yourself, or affordable stencil materials are available in the market.

Creativity with wall decals

Wall decals are some of the affordable ways to decorate the walls. They are also easy to install and can be purchased online or in many home improvement stores.

Set the trend with prints 

Prints or posters come in many designs and are available online or in different shops. Posters can easily add style to any home and make them look appealing. Framed posters are even more interesting as the type and colors of the frames add beauty to the prints and the walls. 

Add personality with fabric

Fabric can be used to cover the entire wall, or there is also available fabric in squares that you can buy and display in astonishing patterns.

Incorporate texture for a beautiful wall appearance

Adding texture to walls can bring character to the whole room’s interior. Usually, this is done by home improvement professionals. With some imagination and resourcefulness, you can add texture to the walls with any material available, such as combs, brooms, cloth, and sponges. 

The texture of the wall likewise depends on paint, drywall mud, and machine use. These are efficient for large surfaced walls as you will have a large area to display your creativity.

Walls in any space can be helpful aesthetically and functionally. Think of it as a large blank canvas where you can employ your creativity in decorating them. In addition, decorating the walls with coverings can add value to your home, especially if you are considering selling them in the future.

Having your place is one of the most exciting things to happen. Having your apartment is a package deal that requires your attention. It includes cleaning and disinfecting the space, buying new furniture and appliances, and decorating it. 

After cleaning and placing the furniture in their respective places, the room still appears bland due to those blank walls. Blank walls can be an eyesore, especially if you need more resources, such as time and money. However, it does not have to be that way. There are affordable ways to decorate them and make the room look more appealing. 

Stunning wall accessories

Here are some decorative wall accessories that will make your wall look remarkable. Try them on and tell your walls who’s the boss:

Create a gallery of a color swatch

Print any color you choose on paper, then frame them in a grid. The shade should be large enough to be seen from afar. This is best when placed in the kids’ or craft rooms.

Large-sized photo

Blow up your photo in black and white for that classic and elegant appearance. Hang it on a wall to create a meaningful yet affordable piece of art.

Hang unused bicycles

Who says bikes are only for riding? Contemporary wood mounts are hip and can hold excellent bikes when unused—a unique style of decorating your walls with unusual accessories.

Decorate with calendars

Look for an oversized calendar from a shop and hang them on the wall. This is ideal in the office or family kitchen.

Chalkboards are not only for schools

Chalkboards are not for teaching only. This can provide a classic vibe that other decorative wall accessories cannot offer. Write something on it or draw a picture. This item can be versatile as you can change what’s written whenever you feel like it.

Decorate with green planters

This is an affordable way to spice up your walls. Use low-maintenance succulents in wall-mounted planters to enjoy the benefits of indoor plants.

Create a garden wall

A full-scale wall-mounted garden that brings life into your home. Remember to choose a wall where they can be recognized and appreciated immediately.

Modern tapestries

Remember the tapestries found in castles during the Medieval Age? The same principle, however, with a twist. You may use a beaded wall hanging with an attractive design to accentuate the furniture pieces and other decorative items.

Wooden ledge

A functional design of the wall. The wooden ledge can display framed photos, souvenirs, keepsakes, vases, and other decorative items. This is a good choice, especially if you are a person who wants to change the appearance of your house from time to time. 

Display some mirrors

Hanging mirrors always stay in style. Depending on the size of the room, you may display a mirror in your room to give you a stylish appearance. In addition, the mirror can reflect natural light and create the illusion of having a larger space. 

Considering that the kitchen is the heart of the house, decorating the walls is important. The kitchen sees a lot of action every day and we need to see a beautiful view to entice us in whatever business we have in the room. We all know that the kitchen needs to be practical, but that does not mean it can’t be stylish. Here are some practical and stylish tips on how to transform the appearance of your kitchen walls. 

What to decorate?

If you are planning to push through with this project, there are a lot of decor items that you can use to level up the walls. For instance, use wallpaper on the end wall in a lively print to give the room a focal point. Creating a focal point helps to draw the eye in and create a visual resting point, making the kitchen feel bigger. You can use different colors for the wallpaper, but many experts prefer to use the color green to give a comfortable feeling. 

Put up some floating shelves to create a stylish display

Add a couple of narrow floating shelves o your walls to give the room useful storage and display space. Choose wooden shelves to complement the color of the kitchen cabinetry and paint the wall behind in a calm and neutral shade for a muted backdrop. Just be sure not to overload the shelves. 

Use two colors

Paint the bottom portion of the wall with a dark shade to create an impact and a bold backdrop that will make your furniture and appliances pop. Paint the upper part of the wall with a lighter shade. Moreover, the two colors will also add a horizontal line to your wall, creating a feeling of a larger space. 

Bring the color of summer to the kitchen

Yellow is the color of happiness, optimism, and happiness. Match the color of the wall and the backsplash for a kitchen that is bright like the sunshine. If the kitchen is small, you may choose to extend the color of the paint from the worktop to the ceiling to give the room a feeling of height. Moreover, the color of the paint will complement the wooden floating shelves. 

Mix and match the backsplash design

Adding a hint of pattern can elevate a plain-colored kitchen wall. All you need is a single row of patterned tiles to create a narrow backsplash instead of the full version. Keep the cost down by using mismatched tiles. Get geometric designs in different patterns and colors, but be sure that the sizes are the same.

Add trendy prints

In an open-space plan, there might be some problems when you decorate it with a cohesive scheme. Your home needs to be multifunctional and spacious, with clearly defined zones. Usually, the dining room is adjacent to the kitchen and it is recommended to add a bold piece of poster to the walls beside the table. This will easily add color and texture to the entire interior design. Add another poster theme in the kitchen to clearly define the area apart from the dining room. At artdesign.ph, there are various designs to choose from, such as abstract, black and white, graphic, nature, and photography.

The hotel and restaurant industry has been a great help in boosting the Philippine economy for the past few decades. The industry has changed significantly, and new trends and styles are essential to meet customers’ needs. Some restaurants need to have updated interior decor. The good news is there are many convenient ways to boost your restaurant’s interior to make it look enticing for customers. 

Here are some easy and creative ways that you can use to decorate your business establishment:

Use a new color scheme

Painting the walls is one of the cheapest and most convenient ways to transform the appearance of the customers’ dining area. Adding a new color scheme can give your guests a memorable dining experience. You can do this DIY-style without wasting time doing a total renovation. Choosing a suitable color scheme before starting the project is essential. Proper planning is still the key to achieving your goal. 

Try to use an accent wall to enhance a particular wall and contrast the other neutral-colored walls. The accent wall will give your restaurant a more trendy appearance. 

Add plants to the dining area

Plants in your home and garden can bring life to your space. However, not all customers in your restaurants may be into them. Natural plants are costly to maintain and sometimes may trigger allergies in your customers. Moreover, some plants may have fragrances that may collide with the aroma of your dishes. If you want to use natural plants, go for succulents and cacti. They are easy to maintain and do not release any odor. If you choose to decorate with artificial plants, choose realistic-looking ones. 

Decorate the walls with art pieces

Hanging wall artwork can give your restaurant an artsy and contemporary look. There are different themes you can choose from. From abstract art to typography, your restaurant will have a fun and welcoming vibe that your guests will love. 

Tablecloths are history

In the past, tablecloths give an impression of elegance and fine dining. That concept is a thing of the past. Many restaurants these days use wooden tables suitable for a rustic or minimalist theme that you often see on social media. In addition, tablecloths are costly to maintain since you have to replace them for every customer who uses the table. You can use cloth napkins to give that elegant feeling to your customers. 

Use the proper lighting

Changing the lighting and the amount of light can significantly impact your restaurant. Remember that more light can give your space a welcoming ambiance, while dimmer light can give it a romantic and intimate feeling. You can use mood lighting, recessed lights, and pendant lamps to achieve the desired vibe in your restaurant. Natural light can be adjusted with curtains or blinds. 

Update the tableware and serving ware

Tablewares and serving wares can affect your customers’ perception of your restaurant. The review can be poor if you’re using plates with scratches or chips. Be clever in changing tableware. Choose melamine since it is durable, affordable, and mimics expensive dinnerware.