Home décor stylist Joanie Ballard offers just the right inspiration for entertaining this holiday season. Setting a mood of light and cheer with the glow of French dripless candles, the elegance of crisp table linens and the fragrance of freshly cut evergreens, she suggests that dining at home can be the focal point of countless family celebrations.  With todays shopper in mind, she offers ways to entertain with style–without spending a lot of cash.

For over 12 years, Joanie and Robert Ballards popular shop and gallery, R.H. Ballard Art, Rug & Home in Washington, Virginia, has been a destination for anyone who appreciates the art of gracious living. Joanie often demonstrates, not only in her shop but also her home, the creative art of table setting. In this photo, she created quiet ambiance for formal dining with a subtle, contemporary, tone-on-tone French Jacquard tablecloth, and then brought in a punch of color from nature in the napkins, playing off the green drinking glasses and other holiday greenery. The effect is very soothing and beautiful with colors of green and yellow. There are also many occasions for using the numerous choices of warm and festively-colored table linens at the Ballard shop.

R. H. Ballard specializes in offering a wide selection of easy-care Le Jacquard Francìais tablecloths.  Add inexpensive mercury glass votives and finials that beam with lots of light and give the table a sparkling glow or tall, white candles and Voila! Let the celebration begin!  Joanies experience as a fabric librarian for Brunschwig & Fils (the famous French fabric firm), began a life-long love affair with home design that is reflected throughout the extraordinary shop. A honeymoon trip to Paris where she discovered Le Jacquard Francais textiles, cliched her obsession with all things European and particularly French.

New to Ballards this holiday season is a wide selection of locally-sourced food items, including Virginia Chutney Companys cranberry, spicy plum or hot peach chutneys, their custom Ballard Blend Coffee roasted by Central Coffee Roasters, Foster Harris House Ginger Scone Mix created by Chef John McPherson, and most recently, freshly baked goods from Red Truck Bakery of Warrenton, VA.  Other, internationally-sourced food items are available as well as stylish serving ware, and sought-after and beautiful books on entertaining and European home decor.

Visiting R.H. Ballards can be a one-stop Christmas shopping experience offering everything from home décor items to unique silk scarves, elegant purses, jewelry and more for ladies, men’s apothecary and shaving items, specialty books, exquisite stationery.  R.H. Ballards fine art gallery features art from contemporary and modern masters, such as original lithographs from Chagall and Matisse, and many of Rappahannock Countys own fine artists, as well as exquisite handmade rugs from around the world. It is a unique and inspiring experience for all the senses.

For creative design ideas and the latest new on new products being offered and events hosted by the Ballards at their shop, join Joan on her blog and visit rhballard.com.

Photo By Molly M. Peterson, Photographer