Sit by the fire

Faux fur throw, Hen House; Poodle Pouf, CB2; iPod Dock, Crosley; Pillar candles, Restoration Hardware; Starry String Lights, Restoration Hardware; Pine garland; Serving tray, Target

 After moving into a new apartment it's pretty much guaranteed that the boxes will remain packed and rooms will stay empty for a few weeks. It also doesn't help that we sold a good portion of our furniture before moving...mainly couches and any form of seating. While our apartment may take a bit of styling before it feels like home, I still have a strong urge to get some holiday decor set up. Rather than focus on the lack of seating in the living room and dining room I've decided to bring the comfort down to the floor. The living room is embellished with a pretty large fireplace and I am planning on taking full advantage of its stone facade and large mantel for the holiday season. An arrangement of inviting blankets and seat pads flanked with glittering lights and an abundance of large pillar candles can add that holiday glow usually reserved for coffee tables and dining room sets. Adding a lush garland to the mantel adds height to the set up, while low platters of food and wine offer a few snacks while gazing at the candle flames. Lastly, a sleek iPod dock offers the same seasonal tunes that a surround sound setup would boom through its speakers. It takes a bit of imagination but the inviting scene can easily appear equally as warm and lush as the decked out tables and couches of the standard homes.