The holidays are knocking at the door with guests not far behind. It’s a joyful but busy season of hosting and gathering. We’ve pulled together three simple DIYs to help you freshen up your home yet leave you ready to relax and enjoy all the moments that matter most.

Work Some Magic in the Dining Room

During the holidays, the dining room can become a cramped and crowded hub for hosting. For a more spacious feel, create the illusion of depth with color. A dark hue like Iron Ore can achieve this while also bringing an elevated look to the space. Paint just an accent wall or cover walls and trim with the same color to soften angles and evoke the impression of expansiveness.

A Little Love for the Trim

Refreshing trim is a simple and often-overlooked way to make an impact with little input of time or cost. To heighten the drama, go for a monochrome look using a moody shade like Mount Etna. Blending the trim, walls, and ceiling brings harmony and creates the impression of open space. Or, to keep things more simple, you could choose a darker contrasting color and paint just the trim to define borders with sharp, bold lines. Make the project even easier and simply touch up the existing color for a fresh, clean look.

Freshen Up the Fireplace

Gather round and nestle in to the cozy vibes with a quick and easy fireplace refresh. This festive focal point provides the perfect backdrop for your holiday gatherings. With a bold neutral like Pewter Green, this DIY can make a big impression year-round. It’s an easy, statement-making update that will grab the notice of family and friends.

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CANDY PALETTE

Look no further than this candy-inspired palette for a color scheme that’s sure to catch your eye(ball). Creepy crawling with painting project inspiration, it features a grab bag of bold hues guaranteed to satisfy your inner ghoul or goblin.

COOKIE PALETTE

Double-double, toil, and trouble, this paint palette features a cauldron of brooding Halloween color. No special spells are required. Simply trade your witch’s wand for a paintbrush and get your DIY project started.

APPLE PALETTE

Stuck in a web of painting project uncertainty? Never fear, the ultimate Halloween color scheme is here. Inspiration doesn’t fall far from the apple tree thanks to this palette, perfect for spaces that need sweet (and slightly spooky) style.

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Greece, is one of the most beautiful countries in the world! Whether you have had first-hand experience, or are a screen-top dreamer, you will agree that the gorgeous beaches, blue waters, and white-rimmed sand are extraordinary. This was the inspiration when Hands On Painters was engaged to paint the Five Oaks Swimming Pool diving board base in Catonsville.

Five Oaks was originally built in 1931 and was a public facility until the 1950’s when it incorporated and became Five Oaks Swimming Pool, Inc. It is one of the oldest in Baltimore with one of the last high dives in operation. The dive was transformed by using a Grecian-inspired blue. “I like taking the use of color to the next level. Nothing is wrong with a white or silver base but the blue is really striking,” states Jonathan. “I can’t imagine a better color for an outdoor summer diving board.”

Forget starched white tablecloths and muted palettes. Today, restaurants are designed to entertain, to surprise, to create Instagrammable moments — and color plays an essential role. Branding, mood, day-to-night ambiance and the personality of the chef or owner all give a restaurant its custom look. We spoke to nationally known commercial designers to discover the trends they’re creating.

Natural Materials

Natural elements like wood and slate are very popular right now, according to Hannah Weiner, interior designer at Phase Zero Design in Boston.

“The trend is to create cozy, rustic, authentic spaces that lend an almost ‘mom and pop’ feel,” she says. “The effect is created by starting with 85 percent of neutral colors — mostly black contrasted with grays and whites. Once that neutral palette is laid, pops of color are added on accent walls, banquettes, upholstery, pillows and wall décor to give the space a warm feeling.”

Muted Pastels

Tanya Spaulding, principal at Shea Design in Minneapolis, sees restaurant design color going from an industrial, dark and heavy vibe to a lighter, more colorful one.

“Designers have been using gray as a primary base for restaurants for a while now, but I’m seeing that transform into muted pastels instead,” she says. “Incorporating these colors into smaller areas, like on a private dining room wall or on pillows, provides energy and life to a space, and can easily be updated every few years for a fresh look and feel.”

Plants

Another trend restaurant designers are seeing this year is the incorporation of indoor plants.

“Biophilic design — a way to connect people in a building to nature — is very popular right now,” says Alicia Kelly, senior interior designer at Studio K in Chicago. “There’s a new emphasis on sustainability and nature, so designers are using leafy greenery, succulents, air plants and trees as essential elements.”

Beyond Trends

Restaurant designers pay attention to what’s trending in dining décor, but most focus on creating a custom experience for the brand and the space.

“We actually like to avoid trends and go with what is unexpected,” Kelly says. “It’s more about creating a mood and telling the story of a particular chef or owner. Colors create feelings and energy, so we focus on the atmosphere first, choosing colors that can evoke the mood for daytime or nighttime dining.”

Weiner agrees, noting that not all restaurants can be designed in a cookie-cutter way. “Many of our clients have strong identities already,” she says. “So our job is often to use their brand colors in a unique way to create the atmosphere they want to achieve.”