Deck the halls
Want to turn your home into a wonderland this holiday season? Gertens is offering several free decorating workshops with ideas for creating a festive look both inside and out.
The first is a Christmas decorating workshop where visitors will learn design tips for dressing up the mantel, railings, walls and ceilings, to create a mood of glitz, retro flair or country charm. The workshop will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday and again at 1 p.m. on Nov. 23, 30 and December 7.
Another workshop, focused on holiday containers to spruce up entryways, patios and decks, will be offered at 11 a.m. Sunday, and next Saturday, Nov. 10, 17, 24 and Dec. 1, all at 11 a.m.
Workshops are free, but registration is requested at www.gertens.com/events. Gertens is located at 5500 Blaine Av., Inver Grove Heights.
British accent
If you like your shopping with a side of tea and crumpets, check out the Knightsbridge Boutique at Benilde-St. Margaret's on Saturday. The event, inspired by London's luxury retail district, will feature 65 Brit-style shops and market stalls, with items ranging from household items to clothing, accessories and jewelry, spa products and gourmet foods. Shoppers can refuel at the RoyalTea snack bar, where English treats and beverages will be available.
The boutique will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Benilde-St. Margaret's Haben Center, 2501 Hwy. 100 S., St. Louis Park. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.BSMschool.org/knightsbridge.
Holiday Ideas House
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Bachman's historic family home, where designers are putting final touches on this year's Holiday Ideas House.
The theme is "A Cozy, Contemporary Nordic Celebration," featuring light, airy spaces, fresh greens, traditional reds, metallic accents and natural driftwood. Different rooms will offer different takes on the Nordic simplicity theme, including a porch with a hot chocolate bar, a dining room with Scandinavian-patterned dishware, a sunroom with a festive holiday bar, a fairy dream bedroom, and a room with three tablescapes set for a contemporary holiday wedding, a formal black-and-white New Year's Eve party and a traditional Christmas gathering.
