Thought for the day...Are you a SPANNER or a PLANNER?

ARE YOU A SPANNER?

If you're a SPANNER then you're continually throwing one into the mix. You worry about all of the things that might go wrong that you feel you can't do anything about. You're likely to be:

- reactive

- feel like the victim

- spend a lot of time worrying

- blame and accuse other people for the problems

- put off doing things for as long as possible

- fail to take action

ARE YOU A PLANNER?

If you're a PLANNER then you create and follow up on a plan of action to tackle problems. You focus on the things that you can do that might have a positive influence on the situation. You're likely to:

- take action

- be proactive

- feel in control of the situation

- be seen as leaders and strong people

Sometimes the difference between what is in our control and what is not is obvious. But often it's not clear, and it's this ability to distinguish that highlights whether you're a Spanner or a Planner.

From: The Mind Gym (http://www.themindgym.com/)

Share your thoughts with me today,

Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

E-Mail: gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk

Website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Praise Indeed...Our Recommendations

I thought I'd share with you some of the lovely comments we've received for our professional interior design services:

- "Thank you sooo much for all your wonderful help and support - you have made a huge difference to our lives."

- "My bedroom is amazing! It's everything I wanted! Thanks so much for your advice."

- "I just wanted to thank you for all your time, inspiration and efforts in giving me such a beautiful home. Each room most definitely has the WOW factor."

- "Gwendoline's ideas for interiors are always fresh."

- "Thank you for all your invaluable advice and help on the course, you made it fun and interesting."

- "Thank you for your help and guidance."

- "I just thought I would tell you that some very nice things were said about you at the meeting today and I really can't tell you who said them as it seemed that someone started and everyone joined in, but you were highly praised."

Receiving many comments such as these affirms our love and passion for interior design, and also highlights the strength of relationships that we create with our clients.

We design fantastic and refreshing interiors and design courses that have such a positive result on our client's lives.

If you'd like to find out more about how we can create your stylish dream property in 2010 then just give us a call today,
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

E-Mail: gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk
Website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Pure Kitchens

Today I met with Andrew Woodbridge at Pure Kitchens (http://www.purekitchens.org.uk/) based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire.


The designer Italian kitchens and friendly expert service make this a treasure trove in the City.


I'm excited to showcase one of my client's Pure Kitchens with you next year. Their kitchen looks fabulous already but it's going to be stunning once the accessories and final styling are complete.


Kitchens are a major cost item and the hub of the home so if you get a little lost or uncertain making your decision then just give us a call and we'll give you our expert opinion.


Why not pop in today to check out Pure Kitchens for yourself then let me know your views,
Gwendoline.


GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS


tel: 07841 519802


E-Mail: gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk
Website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Gallery Rouge

Today I met with Kuldip Chohan, the director of Gallery Rouge (www.galleryrouge.co.uk) based in St. Albans.

I particularly loved the simplicity of Martha Winter's artwork that's very impactive whilst also being subtle and stylish. You should go and check it out as the website pictures don't do her artwork true justice.

Kerry Darlington's work reminds me of Blackpool rock, happy times!

If you prefer atmospheric work then you should checkout Philip Gray for more traditional beach scapes and Paresh Nrshinga for striking contempory artwork.

I definitely enjoyed my visit to the gallery today and you I recommend you make the time to pop in when you're next in St. Albans City.

Of course, if you need some guidance on which artwork would best compliment your fabulous interior then just contact me today:

Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS

Tel: 07841 519802

E-Mail: gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk
Website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Thought for the day...Are you a daydream believer?

Did you know that, according to US research, you can live approximately 6.7 years longer by being a little more creative?

Being creative isn’t just about hands on techniques such as knitting or sticky-backed plastic, it also relates to movement and music such as a good old boogie at the Xmas works do!

It’s anything that frees up your mind to think.

In one of my previous thoughts for the day I asked if you think about thinking. This isn’t as crazy as it sounds because you need to give your mind space to think and prepare for those creative thoughts.

This morning I went running to clear my thoughts and declutter my mind of the endless Christmas list that I need to achieve in the next few days.

Sure we’re all busy people but sometimes it takes just a few minutes to clear your mind and create that space for inspirational thoughts and ideas that will kick start you into positive action.

If you find it difficult to clear your mind then maybe you need to become a daydream believer?

It’s a way of dipping into your unconscious mind to make space for those creative thoughts, produce some original ideas, link together thoughts and ideas as well as make sense of concepts.

There are 3 ways of getting into this state of reverie (www.themindgym.com):

1) RELAX

This is where you quieten your mind and stop conscious thinking. The focus should be concentrated on your breathing.

For example, this is an exercise I used with my children when they were younger and had been excitedly charging around all day:

Imaging filling up an imaginary jug with the air that you breathe in. Make sure that you take deep breaths from the pit of your stomach so that the jug is filled to the very top.

Imaging emptying the imaginary jug of the air as you breathe out. Make sure that you exhale slowly and empty your lungs completely.

Breathe in deeply – hold for a second – breathe out deeply – wait for a second….

As your breathing slows your focus heightens and you experience a sense of relaxation.

2) VISUALISE A SPECIAL LOCATION

This is a visualised setting where you can relax and think clearly, somewhere you feel comfortable and safe. It can be a real place or imagined.

For example, this is visualisation that I use with my son when he has trouble sleeping because his head is buzzing with thoughts:

Imagine you’re on a soft sandy beach with the waves gently lapping and the sun shining down. There’s a boat in the distance that gets nearer with every in breath.

As the boat reaches the beach you get up and pick up a box that’s just next to you – it’s a box of your worries – and you put it into the boat. There may be a few boxes of varying sizes so you put them all into the boat.

As you sit back down on the beach you watch the boat get further and further away with every out breath. It gets smaller and smaller, your worries get smaller and smaller, until the boat disappears off the horizon.

You lie down on the soft supporting sand with the sun warming your heart and gently drift into a state of total relaxation.

3) INTRODUCE A CREATIVE GUIDE

This is someone that we trust, value and respect. It is someone that is wise and original. It can be a real person or an imaginary friend. Our creative guide may respond to us verbally, give us an object or show us an image.

For me, my creative guide is the people that I interact with each day. This may be friends and family or someone in my online social network group.

I’ve always felt like a sponge and have a great thirst for knowledge. I love quirky things, new ideas and taking myself ‘out of the box’. I’m a fan of self-development and have always loved the psychology of life.

All of these 3 processes require us to use all of our senses to bring ideas to life as much as possible. By using sight, sound, touch, smell and taste we make the experience richer and more engaging.

Be more creative and live approximately 6.7 years longer.

Share your thoughts with me today,
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS

Tel: 07841 519802

e-mail: Gwendoline@ga-interiors.co.uk
website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Newsletter...1QJan2010 A Year Of Optimism

Here are some of the features we're highlighting in our first quarter 2010 newsletter:

- Interior Design Trends for Spring 2010

- Interior Design seminars and workshops for the creative mind

- Social Networking seminar for the business mind

- Exciting new initiative with Collinsons Estate Agents

- Listen to us on Radio Verulam

Make sure you're on our distribution list, visit our website (www.ga-interiors.co.uk) to sign yourself up today.

Have a great Xmas and a well earnt rest - there's a busy year ahead!
Enjoy,
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS

Tel: 07841 519802

website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Thought for the day...If you can't convince them, confuse them!

DISARMING THE ENEMY

So there's a crisis, a disagreement, a fight? How do you cope with other people's Satir categories?

Sure, levellers are great - they'll keep their heads, stay in touch with their hearts, talk things through to win-win conclusion. But how do you handle the other, less user-friendly personality sub-patterns?

The thing is to realise the signs that a person is feeling bad. They may be stressed. They may feel under siege. They may want help.

So it just won't work if you add more negative emotion to the pot. Criticism, sarcasm, mockery or shouting will simply give the other person more to feel bad about - and they'll just up the ante-placating, blaming, distracting or cutting off at the neck.

Instead, you need to lower the threat level and allow things to chill.

If you can't convince them, confuse them. (American President Harry S. Truman recommending a distractor approach).

From: What makes people tick?
By: Susan Quilliam

Crazy Bear: Fitzrovia, London

Yesterday I went to the Crazy Bear bar (http://www.crazybeargroup.co.uk/) in Fitzrovia, London for some festive drinks!

It's a luscious location for a small gathering and the decor is fab. I particularly loved the cream and chrome stools and shattered glass tables in the bar alongside the mirrored walls and floors with a waterfall hand basin in the hidden cloakrooms.

Overall, it was a very intimate designer space that was ideal for some 1-2-1 time with my loving husband.

Check it out and let me know what you think,

Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

Website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Courses for 2010

After constant requests from our clients, we're putting together our own workshops for 2010.

We appreciate your admiration of our knowledge and skills so we're taking your needs on board to bring you informal and fun learning sessions in creative learning environments.

We'll be publishing our workshop list in our January newsletter so make sure you're signed up: www.ga-interiors.co.uk.

All of our individual designer workshops will be exclusively small groups so that we can maximise our time with you and your learning needs.

We're so excited to be working closely with you again so please make sure you book up early after the release date.

Gwendoline
Creative Director
GA Interiors

Tel: 07841 519802

Thought for the day...come crowding in upon your latter-day senses

Richard Ford
US Author

"construed...home just seems a provisional claim, a designation you make upon a place, not one it makes on you.

A certain set of buildings, a glimpsed, smudged window-view across a schoolyard, a musty aroma snifffed behind a garage when you were a child, all of which come crowding in upon your latter-day senses.

Those are pungent things and vivid, even consoling"

From: an urge for going (Harpers, Feb 1992)

Thought for The Day...Take Time For Others

Yesterday in my blog "Thought for the day... Tomorrow is more important than today" I said:

"When you wake up tomorrow really listen to the first person that speaks to you. Give them your time and effort, but most importantly your ear! Listen to what they're saying and try to understand their non-verbal messages."

This morning I gave my daughter my added attention and she rewarded me with a suprise note tucked in my handbag. It was totally beautiful and said, "I don't think I could ever put you into words - your loving, kind, happy, joyfull, peaceful, nice, pink and many more but you're more than words."

My day has been extra special. I hope yours was too.
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DESIGNER
GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

Website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Poll...What's your Interior Style for 2010?

Why not take my latest poll (http://polls.linkedin.com/p/69192/utmpb):

WHAT'S YOUR INTERIOR STYLE FOR 2010?

- Stylish
- Glamorous
- Elegant
- Charismatic
- Eclectic

My aim is to find out how the credit crunch is affecting our interior design decisions. Do you want to get away from it all with a glamorous interior or are you mixing things up with an Eclectic mix?

Let me know your views: My aim is to find out how ther credit crunch is affecting our interior design decisions. Do you want to get away from it all with a glamorous interior or are you mixing things up with an Eclectic mix?

Let me know your view: My aim is to find out how ther credit crunch is affecting our interior design decisions. Do you want to get away from it all with a glamorous interior or are you mixing things up with an Eclectic mix?

Let me know your views and remember to add your vote to my poll: http://polls.linkedin.com/p/69192/utmpb

Radio Verulam...Tracks of Your Life

I'm listening to my selected songs for my radio interview tomorrow with Radio Verulam (www.radioverulam.com). I'm so excited as I've such a varied selection of music that I just love, love, love!

Here's just a taster of the artists:

- Alesha Dixon
- Basement Jaxx
- Champs United
- Frank Sinatra
- Haircut 100
- Jennifer Lopez
- Katie Melua
- Kylie Minogue
- Lady Gaga
- Mika
- Queen
- Sonique
- Sister Sledge
- Yazz

My 'Tracks Of Your Life' is going to be aired in January 2010 so I'll keep you posted on the date when you can hear why I've chosen my favourite tracks.

Why don't you put your Top Ten Tracks together as it's such great fun and brings back fond memories.

Why not drop me a note with your favourite selection as I'd love to find out what's been your inspiration in life.

Have Fun,
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Christmas Grotto

Another busy weekend of fun and frolics!


Here are some snaps from the school Christmas Grotto that I designed into Santa's Sweet Shop with hundreds of hanging lollipops!




You wouldn't believe how a classroom can be transformed with a gazebo, some black fabric, twinkly lights and hundreds of lollipops.

Don't fret though, Father Christmas did make an appearance on the day but he was seeing to those cheeky elves when I took the pics!

Thought for the day...Tomorrow is more important than today!

When you wake up tomorrow really listen to the first person that speaks to you. Give them your time and effort, but most importantly your ear! Listen to what they're saying and try to understand their non-verbal messages.

See how this affects the rest of your day. Does it make you more aware of your surroundings? Does it make you more considerate? Does it make you feel closer to that person?

Why not drop me a note and let me know. I'll let you know tomorrow how it affects my day.
Enjoy your day,
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DESIGNER
GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

Website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Interior Design... Ann Maurice (House Doctor)

At GA Interiors of course we're professionally trained and experienced interior designers BUT did you know that we're also professionally trained by celebrity interior designer Ann Maurice (Channel 5's House Doctor, http://www.housedoctor.co.uk/).



You may ask why we undertook such training on top of our professional interior design training?


Being specifically trained by Ann Maurice gives us the skills, knowledge and level of experience to maximise our interior design skills and training in a quick makeover scenario.


In the current economy, this skill is ever more necessary when a client, either residential or commercial, sells their property and has a limited budget to maximise their property for sale.


For showhomes we're able to create pockets of interest to hook in the potential buyers.


For residential homes, we're able to maximise existing furniture and accessories to appeal to that all important buyer.


Only today we were speaking to one of our clients (Mrs De Rivaz) who commented that our advice and styling techniques made their property sell much quicker because we created great curb appeal to attract their buyers through the door, gave their home a sense of space and purpose so that buyers knew exactly how each rooom could be used and, added the 'WOW' factor so that the oohs and aahs extended beyond the modern kitchen.


For Mr and Mrs De Rivaz, we created a property that appealed to their potential buyers, we call it BUYER APPEAL!


It's too obvious these days to put the coffee on and have bread baking in the oven but there are styling techniques that we use to create subliminal messages for that all important buyer to pick up on.


If you're planning on putting your property on the market in January 2010 then now is the time to prepare for it.


CALL US TODAY for your personal consultation with one of our creative designers who are also a CONSULTANT on ANN MAURICE's network:


Don't worry if you're not local or even within the UK as we also offer a postal or internet service - just give us a call to find out more.


Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS


tel: 07841 519802


website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors
facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Thought for the day... Architecture is a vehicle for the telling of stories

#84: ARCHITECTURE IS AN EXERCISE IN NARRATIVE

"Architecture is a vehicle for the telling of stories, a canvas for relaying societal myths, a stage for the theatre of everyday life."

from: 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School
by: Matthew Frederick

Course...1st Steps In Interior Design

Have you ever fancied a taster session in interior design?

Maybe you're planning changes to your own home and would like a few top tips, or perhaps you're thinking of going into the interior design industry? Maybe you have a flair for design and would like to expand your knowledge and decorate the homes of your friends and family?

In collaboration with Oaklands College, we teach an informal First Steps In Interior Design course. It's a 6 week, once a week, leisure course that commences Thursday 28th January 2010 at the St Albans Campus.

You'll gain basic interior design knowledge of all the main areas such as:

- Colour Theory & Psychology

- Design Inspiration & Style

- Mood Board

- Space Planning

- Furniture Layout

- Flooring options

- Lighting options

- Wall treatments

- Window treatments

- Styling techniques

It's a great leisure course where we incorporate our industry knowledge with hands on experience and a lot of fun.

Our aim is for you to gain practical knowledge so that, by the end of the six weeks, you are able to create a design scheme even at a basic level.

If you're interested in finding out more about the course or booking a place then please contact Oakland's Direct Enrolment line on 01727 737373 (http://www.oaklands.ac.uk/)

We hope to see you there and remember, if January's course is fully booked then we do other sessions at Borehamwood and Welwyn Garden City throughout the year,
Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

website: http://www.ga-interiors.co.uk/
facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors
twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Xmas Styling...Flavourz Restaurant

CHRISTMAS 2009

FLAVOURZ RESTAURANT & BAR

Last year we were commissioned to style Flavourz restaurant (http://www.flavourz.co.uk/) for Christmas 2008 - we created a very modern design based around a gold, red and black colour scheme.

This year we were asked to take the basis that we created last year and make it even more glamorous, opulent and sparkly.

Flavourz restaurant and bar is a fusion of cultures and successfully combines food from Mexico, Italy, China and India in a buffet type format - it sounds crazy but the concept really works and the food is delicious.

We wanted to encompass this fusion of cultures in our Christmas designer styling and created a very exuberant design scheme that is certainly not for the faint hearted:

TREE IN RESTAURANT:

TREE IN BAR:

The colour scheme of red, gold and purple echoes the corporate colours of the Flavourz branding.

Altogether another successful design and a very happy client.

Just give us a call to discuss your personal requirements:

Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk

linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors

facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors

twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors

Thought for the day...Science works with chunks and bits and pieces of things!

"Science works with chunks and bits and pieces of things with the continuity presumed, and the artist works only with the continuities of things with the chunks and bits and pieces presumed."

by ROBERT PIRSIG

How To...DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE

2009 CHRISTMAS DECORATING TRENDS

Are you one of those people whose decorations are bursting from the box with excitement to be displayed in all their finery and glory the first day of December? Or is the thought of decorating a total nightmare and you’ll leave it until the very last minute.

For many people, like me, decorating a Christmas tree is an absolute pleasure but for others it’s a total challenge - all that mess, all that time and all for one day!

To help you out this year, here are my top tips for styling your tree in the quickest way with minimal fuss. That’s not to say your tree will be any less glamorous because we all love opulence during these festive times.


TIP 1: DECIDE ON YOUR STYLE

Before you decide on the style of decorations for your Christmas tree, you should firstly decide in which room it’s going to go. Your tree can then compliment the interior design and size of your room.

Having the tree compliment and co-ordinate the room will maximise the tree’s effect and flatter the room.

If it’s a traditional room - your decorations would be homely.

If it’s a contemporary room – your decorations would be modern.

If it’s a cottage – your decorations would be scaled down to size.

If it’s a mansion – your decorations would be large and impressive.

For 2009 there are 4 main trends (http://www.christmasworld.messefrankfurt.com/):

AIRY

Airy is characterized by lightness and transparency with glass vases, baubles and crystal a must. A white or silver tree would look stunning with airy decorations.

The emphasis is on simple structures and pure lines.

COMFORT

Comfort revolves around nature, from natural wood ornaments to animals such as deer’s, stags and hedgehogs. A traditional green tree would compliment beautifully this natural theme.

SWEET

Sweet is fantastically kitsch with feminine décor, pink floral patterns and a multicolour palette. Decorations revolve around plastic, varnish and porcelain, alongside tulle and satin ribbons.

How inspiring is this trend! It’s a dream come true for all of us big kids and totally out of the ordinary and expected!

I’m incorporating the sweet trend into the school grotto that I‘m designing this year.

Imagine the children’s faces when they enter a grotto and arrive in sweet heaven – droplets of lollipops hanging everywhere from sugar candy ribbons, and they also get to take a lollipop home! Pure bliss.

OBSESSION

Obsession is glamour and glitz for Christmas, pure Hollywood! It’s a mix of curved lines with ornate objects, luxurious silk and sumptuous velvet.

A black tree would look stunning, and you could even up end it for a total quirky designer look.


TIP 2: DECIDE ON YOUR COLOUR SCHEME

As with anything in interior design, a strong colour scheme is fundamental to a great look.

As with tip 1, the colour scheme of the decorations should compliment the interior of the room in which it’s going to be placed. This will not only maximise the tree itself but also the overall glamour and style of the room.

Looking at the colour scheme for each of the trends for 2009:

AIRY - The lightness and transparency of the Airy trend is complimented with translucent colours of chalky pastels ranging from buttercream and dusty pink to powder blue and soft grey, all on a base of snowy white.

COMFORT - This natural trend is complimented with touches of ruby red or marmalade orange to enliven the decor.

SWEET - A sweetie extravaganza is created with a milky palette that extends from sand, aqua and turquoise to violet, lime and slate grey.

OBSESSION - Glamour and glitz is fashioned with Quartz pink and rich mauve complimented with mahogany, aubergine, violet and gold. It’s a mix of metallic opulence and the latest high street fashion colours.


TIP 3: DECIDE ON YOUR TREE

A major decision is real or fake tree?

This is a personal decision that is usually made from deciding whether you want a coloured or a green tree and then whether you want to be environmentally friendly with a tree from a sustainable forest or a fake tree that will last for years.

If you want an instant tree then you could opt for a fake tree that has lights or fibre optics for added effect and ease.

TIP 4: ADD THE LIGHTS

Once you have decided upon the tree, your colour scheme and preferred look and feel for the festive season, it’s time to add the lights!

Remember to test the lights before you put them on the tree as it’s so much easier to find a faulty bulb when it’s not wound around a Christmas tree!

This is generally the tricky bit my top tip is to put on some Xmas music, grab a pair of extra hands to help you and, most importantly, take your time.

You are one side of the tree and your helper is the other side of the tree so that you can pass the lights to and from each other.

Start at the bottom of the tree and unwind the lights around the tree working your way up towards the top.

Remember to test the lights again once you have them in place. If you have adjustable lights with a variety of settings then decide how you want them to flicker and shine.

Review the lights before you add any further decorations. Ensure that they shine evenly on the tree and make any adjustments before going onto the next step.

TIP 5: ADD THE STRANDS

Once the lights are up and working, it’s time to add strands of decorations. This may include strands of balls or strands of tinsel or strands of paper chains.

Wind the strands around the tree starting from the top of the tree to the bottom of the tree. I love to loop the strands as I work so that they casually drape and add an additional element of interest to the tree.

As strands generally come in specific lengths, remember to create a continuous flow from one length to the next.

TIP 6: ADD THE SPECIAL DECORATIONS

You may be some special decorations that you’ve had since childhood, or maybe they were a special gift or are one-off pieces.

These need to be added to the tree so that they are in key positions and can be easily seen.

When adding these decorations, remember that the tree is generally seen from at least two angles. As you add each piece of decoration, move about and view the tree from all angles.

Here are some decorations (http://www.johnlewis.com/) that compliment the Xmas trends for 2009:

AIRY:

COMFORT:

SWEET:

OBSESSION:

TIP 7: ADD THE BAUBLES

Once your special or favourite decorations have been added, it’s time to add the baubles.

Start adding the baubles with the largest first and the smallest last. As with the special decorations, remember to view the tree from all angles as you add the baubles.

TIP 8: ADD THE TREE TOPPING

The final decoration to add is the tree topping.

The tree topping should match your style, eg: a star for a modern design scheme and a fairy for a traditional design scheme.

TIP 9: ENJOY YOUR EFFORTS

Remember to take time out to appreciate your efforts.

I'd love to see pictures of your efforts and remember, if you get stuck then just give us a call and we'll bring our magic to your festivities.

Have Fun,

Gwendoline.

GWENDOLINE ALDERTON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

GA INTERIORS

tel: 07841 519802

website: www.ga-interiors.co.uk

linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/gainteriors

facebook: www.facebook.com/gainteriors

twitter: www.twitter.com/ga_interiors