When it comes to decorating for the fall and winter holidays, Lynne Wickham says it’s the little things that make the difference.    

“You don’t need to go overboard,” she suggested. “For fall, try a pumpkin centerpiece, turkey salt and pepper shakers and accent with colors of the harvest.”    

The owner of Wickham Interiors in downtown Crystal Lake has been decorating spaces for nearly 30 years. Her firm services residential and commercial clients with inter-
ior design, decorating services and consulting.    

Autumn signifies a busy time for Wickham and her staff of seven. Autumn decorating begins in early October and Wickham Interiors is chock-full of inspirations from place settings to wreaths to accents.    

“Indoor wreaths above the fireplace or wreaths as a centerpiece laid flat on a table with a hurricane candle holder inside are simple ways to decorate for the holidays,” she offered.    

Christmastime is no doubt Wickham’s busiest season. In fact, the store shuts down for two days to decorate the main floor and lower level with all the trimmings of Christmas, including themed trees, wreaths, florals (particularly poinsettias), Santa figurines, angels and nativity scenes. A visit to Wickham Interiors is a great way to see all the latest trends firsthand and start planning for the holidays.      

The store’s themed trees not only serve as inspirations to customers, but help organize the unique ornaments and accents, which make for great gifts.    

“Our Christmas season kicks off with our open house on November 5,” she says. “We pride ourselves on our trees throughout the store, which, in the past, have included themes such as fantasy, Irish, wedding, miniature, snowmen/Santa, religious, pets, occupation/transportation, bird/wildlife, ‘girlie’ and sports.”    

Trend-wise, Wickham suggests glittery florals and candles to jazz up holiday interiors. Personalization is very popular now, and new this year to Wickham Interiors are Santa paintings with inscriptions of children and/or grandchildren’s names.    

Colors this season include traditional red, green and gold, as well as green and white, which transition nicely into spring, Wickham said.

The Wickham Difference
The Wickham magic is made in the studio toward the back of the store where interior design clients can flip through fabric samples and color swatches. Whether they’re in the market to reupholster a sofa or want a complete floor-to-ceiling overhaul of a room or floor of their home — Wickham has them covered.    

Wickham also has something you can’t find in a swatch book — a licensed staff, above-and-beyond service and a passion for listening to clients. Listening is a trademark of Wickham Interiors’ M.O., according to Jennifer Jost, senior marketing director and Wickham’s daughter. “If you listen carefully, you know the right questions to ask,” Jost said. “Listening is the first and most important step.”   

“You have to find out how clients want to live to understand their design needs,” Wickham added. “You have to understand how they want to function within a space before you can determine if you’re going for a traditional or contemporary look — or a combination.”    

Wickham Interiors’ projects over the decades have run the gamut, but one strategy rings true for all — developing comfortable spaces for the client.    

“We specialize in creating comfortable spaces people want to come home to,” she said. “In the case of Home State Bank in Crystal Lake and a number of other commercial projects, we designed a place people want to come to work and do business.” n

>> For more information, stop by the store at 67 N. Williams St. in downtown Crystal Lake, call 815-455-6202 or visit www.wickhaminteriors.com.

Sidebar: Tree Decorating 101
Wickham is a tree decorating connoisseur and said she believes trees should “create depth, fun and interest.”

She suggests:
•    Adding larger ornaments first then small figurines toward the ends of branches.
•    Putting bigger reflective balls inside of the tree — “It makes everything look
    so shiny.”
•    Bending ornament hooks so they’re shorter and don’t hang so far below limbs.
•    Never hanging ornaments from the bottom row of branches.
•    Using a big bow around the base of tree toppers, particularly stars and finials so
    there’s no awkward space. Generally angels’ skirts add enough interest that a bow
    is not required with them.
•    Dividing the tree vertically into several triangle-shaped sections and lighting
    section by section. “It’s a tedious process, but it forces lights deep into the tree and creates a stunning effect,” Wickham said.