"Christmas balls, a level, and patience"

Decorating one's home for the holidays does not require great expense  - if one thinks creatively. Washington, D.C. designer David H. Mitchell told readers of Southern Accents to "[u]se what you love. Select a color scheme to continue throughout the house." (He uses gold and white with bits of red.) "You can stumble onto good design this time of year if you keep a lookout." Mitchell cites Pier One, Pottery Barn and ethnic shops as sources of unique options, as well as craft stores like Michael's. "Think outside the box," advises Mitchell. He certainly thought outside the box when he removed art from his walls and replaced it with 668 gold and white glass balls. While Mitchell claims that anyone can create a similar installation - "all you need," he says, "are Christmas balls, a level, and patience" - he also offers examples of very easy ways to add festive touches to every room of one's home. Red tulips or amaryllis provide holiday color, as do tabletop trees and wreaths hung above a sofa or a desk. L.L. Bean's classic Hudson Bay Point wool blanket instantly wraps a bed in candy-colored stripes. The simplest tablescape featuring berries in a glass bottle evokes winter's beauty. 

Washington, D.C. designer David Mitchell "used 668 Christmas balls to create this holiday installation that replaces framed artwork."

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

 Washington, D.C. designer David Mitchell "used 668 Christmas balls to create this holiday installation that replaces framed artwork."

 Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

"Designer David Mitchell replaced photographs with a wreath and added gold pillows and a bowl of Christmas balls for celebratory touches." 

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

Designer David Mitchell's "desk is given a dose of holiday decor."

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003).  

"A tabletop tree allows for more entertaining space."

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) .  

"Wreaths and packages get glamorous with gold ribbon."  

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003). 

"Winter is depicted in miniature beneath a glass dome." 

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003). 

"A bowl of wheat and a Japanese pot continue the study on texture and color." 

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

"A simply dressed bird and decorative ball add touches of beauty."

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

"Gifts need not wait below the tree. A few beside the bed get things started on Christmas morning."

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

"Mitchell's chosen palette is both cool and inviting. Adding seasonal flowers and wrapped gifts brings holiday color to the bedroom." 

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

"Pillows accented with red reindeer continue the Christmas theme." 

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) . 

"Red ribbon and tulips turn the chest of drawers into a festive part of the design."

Interior design by David H. Mitchell.

Photography by Keith Scott Morton.

"Counting on Christmas" by Leslie Dunne Sadler.

Southern Accents (November - December 2003) .

What are some everyday items that have inspired your holiday decor?