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Krystin Leigh Smith has loved home design since she was a child; she used to find herself inspired by the ambience her mother created in their home on a shoestring budget. Now that she works as a prop stylist for film and TV, she’s often required to shop for 10 hours at a time, a routine that has allowed her to develop a keen eye for quality and what is useful when decorating a home. She notes, “I’m a lot more thoughtful about how I shop. I take time to pick out what works for me.” These skills became the foundation for her new home decor business, Hacienda, a company fuelled by her passion for making design accessible to everyone.
Smith carefully curates each item in her shop. She incorporates new, vintage and antique items into her offerings, and she also features the work of many local designers and artisans.
When discussing decorating for the holiday season, Smith points out that she prefers the term “winter decor” because the pieces she chooses for her customers create a warm and cozy vibe that will buoy them through the colder months, not just until the end of the year.
Here are her top tips for bringing winter decor to life:
- Keep it classic:
Smith advises investing in key pieces you know you will love and use for years to come. “Something needs to speak to you rather than just fill a space,” she explains. “Choose versatile items that can be used in multiple ways, in multiple spaces throughout your home.”
- Lighting is key:
When creating a warm vibe, be mindful of the lighting in your space and “Think beyond a typical string of lights,” says Smith. A beautiful candle on a reflective surface, like a brass plate or tray, can instantly give a room a fresh and inviting ambience.
- Think about textures and scents:
When planning your home decor for the season, keep in mind what brings you comfort. What textures make you feel most relaxed and at ease? Do you enjoy scented candles or prefer something more organic? “Texture and smell can be key elements of creating the winter decor vibe.”
- Choose nature as a collaborator:
Smith encourages everyone to go foraging and see what inspires them on a walk through the woods. Beautiful pine cones, greenery or dried flowers can be found at this time of year, and they provide a free, one-of-a-kind way to dress up your space.
- Look for inspiration everywhere:
Smith advises taking note of what brings you joy or attracts you to someone else’s space. Perhaps you are watching a movie and you enjoy the apartment that is featured. “Take note of what you like, whether it’s the colour, texture, shapes or lighting, and use them as jumping-off points for your own space.”
When asked about her favourite items in the Hacienda shop right now, Smith couldn’t choose just one, so she curated three just for The Dance Current’s audience.
For more tips and holiday gift ideas for your space and those of the people you love, you can find Hacienda at shophacienda.com and on Instagram @shophacienda.
To win a $50 gift card to Hacienda, follow them on Instagram, take a photo of your space that’s been decorated using Smith’s tips and use the hashtag #homeisyourhaven. A winner will be announced on Dec. 18, 2021. Please see @shophacienda for more details.
The Dance Current would like to gratefully acknowledge the support of Hacienda as our design sponsor.
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