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Decorating ideas for great room


20 Best Great Room Design Ideas

Etch Design Group

With multiple functions in its purview, it's safe to say that your great room works overtime to make your time at home the very best it can be. So, should you do something nice for it in return? Whether you just moved into a house with this big area or want to spruce up your current space, you might be itching to make your great room, well, great.

Fortunately, you've come to the right place. Below, we're sharing 20 gorgeous great room ideas, plus a few tips from interior designers on how to unlock your space's full potential. The concepts here run the gamut from illuminating light fixtures to cool color palettes, but one thing's for sure: you're a few clicks away from giving your great room the attention it deserves.

01 of 20

Design: Christina Kim Design: Photo: Raquel Langworthy

Just because a great room is undeniably the most versatile room of the house doesn't mean it has to be devoid of personality. Instead, use this space to pay tribute to its historic roots.

"The client took part of a Vermont home from the 1800s and integrated it with a new structure," designer Christina Kim says. "Though I was not involved in the renovation part of this project, its rich history was always top of mind and we didn't want to lose that."

02 of 20

Deeply Southern Home

Want to create well-defined areas within your great room? The magic lies in how you style it. In this space, Leslie of Deeply Southern Home added two rugs to create the illusion of a designated dining and living space. Rounding out the look are two modern chandeliers, which conveniently hang right over the each area.

03 of 20

Jenn Pablo

Looking to up your great room's cozy factor? Experiment with different textiles. In this great room, designer Jenn Pablo juxtaposed soft cloths with distressed wood and rattan. Since she stuck with a neutral color palette, the space is bursting with charm without feeling over-the-top.

04 of 20

Leah O'Connell Design

Speaking of rugs, why not layer them up as Leah O'Connell did in this space? The larger rug covers plenty of ground, while the top layer gives this great room a more grounded vibe.

05 of 20

Kristin Dion

The great room is arguably the most-frequented area of any home, so why not beautify it with some great art?

"My DIY accent wall transformed our room from a big white rectangle to a cozy room for movies and board games," designer Kristin Dion shares. "I chose budget-friendly art to create a gallery wall and finished it off with two sconces I found on Amazon for $40."

7 Designers Share the Things They Always Notice in a Gallery Wall

06 of 20

Massucco Warner

Why settle for one sitting area when you can have a few in your great room? We love how West coast-based design firm Massucco Warner added several couches, armchairs, and ottomans to this airy space. Whether you want to participate in family game night or have an intimate conversation in the corner, there's room for everyone_literally.

07 of 20

Alexander Doherty Design

As this great room from New York-based designer Alexander Doherty proves, you can refresh your space without undergoing a pricey renovation. Sometimes, it can be as easy as adding a bold pop of color. The chartreuse coffee table breathes a new life into this neutral area. Speaking of which, here are more ways to decorate with the sunny shade.

08 of 20

Alexander Doherty

Want to turn your great room into a "wow" factor? Paint your space a bright hue. White might be the go-to shade for most open-concept layouts, but this blue room by Doherty is making us want to explore the rest of the color wheel.

09 of 20

Maite Granda

We don't know who needs to hear this, but your television should not be the focal point of your great room. Instead, schooch your screen one side of the space, opening up the are rest of the area for face-to-face interactions. Let this space from Maite Granda show you how it's done.

10 of 20

Reena Sotropa

When a great room is so big, it can feel a little awkward to leave a big chunk of space bare. So, why not maximize your square footage with a table and some chairs?

Though this home has a formal dining room, Canadian designer Reena Sotropa added this second set and made the great room feel more welcoming in the process. And, let's be honest: it's likely this is where her clients gather for family meals, Zoom calls, and homework help.

11 of 20

Design: M. Wilcox Design; Photo: Michael Hunter

A great room might be one, large space, but you can always break it up into smaller areas. Designer Monica Wilcox used a fireplace to create the illusion of separate spaces here, but you can always achieve the same look with a room divider or bookshelf.

12 of 20

Etch Design Group

Or, if bookshelves and room dividers aren't your thing, create the illusion of a separate space with a sectional. Let this chill great room from Etch Design Group show you how it's done.

13 of 20

Interiors by Karen B Wolf

What's black, white, and ridiculously chic all over? This great room by Karen B Wolf. This high-contrast duo is a timeless color palette that packs on the drama. To keep this space from feeling cold and sterile, the New Jersey-based designer added subtle patterns and brass accents.

14 of 20

Interiors by Karen B Wolf

Consider a symmetrical layout the design equivalent to ASMR. In this gigantic great room, Wolf split the space with coordinating sofas, console tables, and blankets. Rounding out the space is colorful pillows and a book-clad coffee table, which gives an orderly layout a quirky edge.

15 of 20

Sarah Fultz Interiors

Since the great room is where you spend most of your waking hours, shouldn't it be a reflection of your personality? Here, Sarah Fultz decked out the built-ins with framed pictures, tomes, and family trinkets.

16 of 20

Design: Katie Martinez Design; Photo: Aubrie Pick

In case you didn't get the memo, a great room should have a lot more to offer than good looks. Fortunately, designer Katie Martinez bridged the gap between form and function by adding these sleek floating shelves. The assortment of books and chopped firewood gives this great room a cozy touch.

17 of 20

Erin Williamson

Want to embrace your bold side? Mix and match patterns, just like Erin Williamson did in this space. Here, the designer offset a vintage Turkish kilim with zesty throw pillows. The white walls and neutral furniture keep the space from veering into kitschy territory.

18 of 20

Kendall Wilkinson

If you want to make your large great room feel a little cozier, consider moving your furniture. In this posh penthouse, San Francisco-based designer Kendall Wilkinson angled the sofas and armchairs facing each other to create an intimate conversation nook.

19 of 20

Design: Pure Salt Interiors; Photo: Vanessa Lentine

Most design enthusiasts know that lighting, or lack thereof, can make or break a room's vibe. But, physical light fixtures are just as important—especially in a great room.

Don't believe us? Just take a look at this space by Pure Salt Interiors. Not only does the varying pendants break up the open space, but it also draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of high ceilings.

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Rebecca Rollins

Just because a great room is the hardest working room in the entire house doesn't mean it has to be all because. Take a cue from designer Rebecca Rollins, who added a well-appointed pool table to this open space. Let the games begin!

18 Gorgeous Reading Room Ideas We Want to Steal

18 Great Room Ideas - Open Floor Plan Decorating Tips

Studio Life/Style

The great room is easily the hardest working room in the house, as its entire purpose to serve multiple key functions all in one shared space. The goal is to make everyday living just a little easier, and to make a communal space a little more enticing. As a result, they can present some extra design challenges. With more moving parts and pieces to the puzzle, great rooms are that much harder to decorate. Layout, color schemes, and scale... So if you're looking for some inspiration, keep reading for eighteen great rooms design ideas and decorating tips.

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1

Pack It All In

Alexander Design

In this beach house, designer Alexander Design made the family room feel upscale and sophisticated yet down to earth, livable, and coastal. This great room truly has it all, from a dining area to a formal hang out spot and even a pool table.

2

Give Each Zone Distinctive Qualities

SIMON UPTON

Functioning as both the formal dining and living room, it's the ultimate entertaining space. The massive blue carpet helps unify the space since it stretches from the eating zone to the living area. The darker dinning chairs and light sofa and coffee table, on the other hand, help to distinguish them from one another.

3

Spread Things Out

Leanne Ford Interiors

Leanne Ford Interiors creates separate "rooms" defined by furniture groupings to make the great room feel both cohesive and functional. Each space stands its own while also working together for a harmonious whole. The kitchen blends in and disappears into the background while the dining nook and living rooms contrast in both color and design.

4

Use the Same Colors In Different Materials

Anson Smart

Designed by Arent & Pyke, the icy gray marble material in the kitchen jumps into the living room in the form of a velvet texture-rich area rug in a similar gray hue. Then the light blush sofa beyond the kitchen is reflected in the rosy sheer curtains in the dining room. The caramel leather dining chairs add some contrast without clashing with the aforementioned cohesion.

5

Make It Family-Friendly

Studio Life/Style

For a space that is both cozy and timeless yet fun and contemporary, take note from this Studio Life/Style-designed great room. This layout is also perfect for a family since the adults can be in the kitchen while still being close to the kids.

6

Float Your Furinture

2LG Studios

This may sound obvious, but in a great room, it's usually best to float your furniture. Resist the urge to push all of your furniture up against the walls—if you create space behind the furniture, it makes the room look wider than it is and helps separate the different areas based on function. In this living room designed by 2LG Studio, the the floating sofa separates the lounge area from the kitchen and dining space.

7

Evaluate Scale

Simon Watson

You don't need a massive space to have a great room. Indeed, sometimes you have to combine your dining and living spaces in apartments. To make it work, opt for a smaller bistro table and use a banquet on the other side of the kitchen island to work on a a sette for hanging out as well as a dining seat.

8

Create Micro Levels

Dustin Askland

In an open floor plan space, make the sitting area feel like its own separate hangout zone by turning it into a sunken family room, i.e. a conversation pit. Designed by Elizabeth Roberts, this space feels like a private haven fit for big viewing parties thanks to the full carpeting and depressed flooring. The custom upholstering also speaks the warm tones of the nearby kitchen (like that gorgeous bench), as do the exposed beams, ensuring that it doesn't feel totally unconnected.

9

Use a Bright Rug

Anson Smart

Draw the eye to the spaces you want to use for entertaining instead of the working space in the kitchen. In this great room designed by Arent & Pyke, an eye-catching orange rug gets the job done.

10

Use Consistent Colors

FRANCESCO LAGNESE

Color climbs all the way up to the high rafters in this living room designed by Thomas Jayne and William Cullum. All together, the room feels traditional and formal, country chic and casual. And the color scheme is strict throughout.

11

Take It Outside

Lisa Romerein

If you have the space for an outdoor area or want to revamp the pool house, use the same principles you'd use inside and take them outdoors. It'll be the perfect place for summer entertaining.

12

Separate With a Sofa

Lauren Bamford

In a great room, layout is everything. The clean lines throughout this living room designed by Robson Rak make it hard not to feel relaxed just by looking at it. Even the detail and symmetry of the vertical window pane tracing down to the cushions of the sofa is soothing. Then the green nesting tables bring in some contrast with their rounded shape and varying heights. The white painted shiplap walls make the space feel more livable and approachable.

13

Conceal the Kitchen

Leanne Ford Interiors

A tight, neutral color scheme will ensure easy flow. If the open kitchen stands in full view of the entry and the main living areas like it does in this space designed by Leanne Ford, choose materials that won't distract and opt for integrated appliances and features.

14

Stick to the Classics

Hecker Gethrie

Here's proof that minimalism doesn't equate to stark modern interiors. Elegant, simple, and right smack dab in the middle of modern and traditional, this great room designed by Hecker Guthrie is a jack of all trades. The classic layout promotes conversation and comfort white the island extension helps transition us from the kitchen to the living space.

15

Don't Be Too Matchy-Matchy

Sara Tramp

Emily Henderson matched the throw pillows with the green cabinets in the kitchen, but that's about the only color consistency between the two "rooms." It's a great way to make sure they don't feel completely separate or incompatible but also not looking too matchy-matchy.

16

Let Art Anchor the Space

Studio Ashby

Get inspired by a statement-making piece of artwork. In this great room designed by Studio Ashby, the gorgeous abstract painting infuses the entire space with color. The rest of the neutrals throughout the room complement the painting without competing with it.

17

Share the Light

Alexander Design

One the greatest things about a great room is that it allows for shared light, especially in a wide-open loft space like this one designed by Alexander Design. Here's proof that minimalism doesn't equate to stark modern interiors. The gorgeous windows let the light pour in, adding warmth to the industrial environment.

18

Go All Out

Tom Ferguson

If you're s maximalist at heart, you don't have to play it safe in the great room with neutrals. In this one designed by Arent & Pyke, the dapper Houndstooth sofa works well with the black media credenza in the distance as well as the pendants above the dining room, while the pistachio statement wall complements the color-blocked rug.

ideas for a cozy interior - INMYROOM

You just moved into a new house, and the interior seems to you not cozy enough, and you don’t have money for quality repairs. Do you know how decorate the room? Designers believe that a cozy house is the one that smartly and beautifully designed. No matter how the room would be furnished, its empty walls can ruin the whole interior. Also, the design will appear unfinished. Therefore, a good solution would be to try to decorate it. Not at all necessary use the services of specialists, but it is better to try to do it on one's own.

Wall painting

Wall painting is considered one of the most beautiful ways to decorate a room, so it is not surprising that even in the old days masters covered the walls with unique frescoes. Also, by painting the walls, you can achieve an increase or decrease in space. Unlike those distant times, the painting technology in our time has not only remained the same, but has become even simpler. This is due to the fact that today only modern types of paints and materials are used to decorate walls.

Before starting wall painting, you need to carefully consider what exactly should be depicted on them, and make sure that the pattern is harmonious with the overall design of the room. Cosiness and harmony in the children's room will help to create large solid elements that should be very bright. While the living room is better suited large The drawing is only on one wall.

The next step is primer, putty walls, that is, preparation for the painting itself. Only after After that, you can start decorating the walls with drawings. Draw right away paints on the wall is better if you have artistic skills and you are sure you will do well. Otherwise, you can download lots of stencils from the internet. Their use is first, the stencil is applied to the wall, then circle it with a pencil or paints and only then the outline of the stencil begins.

Photos, paintings, mirrors, clocks

Another way how to beautifully decorate a room to create coziness is photos, paintings, mirrors and clocks. Previously, you could see black and white family photos on the walls, because they look very hospitable and cozy. To achieve complete harmony, you need to combine different photos, experiment with their sizes and the color scheme of the frames, because pictures that are the same in size look completely inharmonious, boring and unattractive in one row.

There are many options for the location of photos and paintings, depending on their size. Can be around one large picture to arrange many small ones. Also on the wall hang just one, but a large picture. It all depends on imagination and desires of the owner of the house. Moreover, when choosing a design, it is worth considering the atmosphere. the room they will be in. For example, the bedroom will be beautiful look romantic photos, common ones are more suitable for the living room family, and for children - cheerful, cheerful photos. Also, as room decorations should use panels, but it is worth remembering that they are better hang at eye level.

Mirror also considered a good option for decorating a room. The effect of warmth and comfort in the room is created provided that the mirror is hung so that it reflects photographs, paintings or panel. For mirrors, you should choose an interesting frame or make it independently, for example, using wooden clothespins, acrylic paints and varnish.

How to decorate a house with appliqués

The easiest, simplest and most original way to decorate a wall in a room is a pattern on the walls made from the remnants of wallpaper and stickers, that is, an appliqué. Using this method, you can create any pattern and pattern, as well as beautiful inscriptions by drawing them on a computer and carefully sticking them on the wall. But it is worth remembering that bright applications are suitable for children's rooms, and in other rooms you can use pastel colors. If you do not pick up contrasting wallpapers for the application, then the pattern may not be noticeable enough. Using this type of wall decoration, you can not only slightly change the look of the room, but also radically transform the interior of the room.

Embroidery, textiles, pillows

Another way to decorate a room with your own hands is embroidery. If you love and know how to embroider, then this will be very easy to do. With the help of embroidery, you can enliven the interior of the room and make it more harmonious, giving completeness. The location of the embroidered paintings depends only on the individual taste and desires of the owner of the house.

The easiest way how to decorate a room - these are sofa cushions. They can also be used for contrast, and to complement the color scheme of the room. Color, fabric, cushion pattern depends on the desired effect and the interior of the room. For the best result it is advisable to experiment, but, of course, do not forget about the style of your rooms.

Paper decoration ideas

Not only pillows or paintings can decorate a room. There is an affordable and easy way: use paper. What options?

Paper home decoration is an easy way to make changes to your interior. It will also serve as an excellent temporary solution, hiding a stain or dent on the wall, imperfection of the furniture.

Curtains for home decoration

Curtains play an important role in the interior of a room. Their change often drastically changes the look of the room. Now there is a huge selection of curtains for every taste, because their choice will not be a big problem, but will significantly help in changing the interior. When choosing curtains, it is worth remembering that they should be several tones brighter than the walls of the room. Also, do not forget about the retainers for curtains, which should fit the overall interior of the room.

Decorating a room with shelves

A functional and aesthetic way to decorate your home with your own hands is to use shelves. How to do it?

Do not forget two rules: for the shelves to really decorate the house, they must contrast with the wall, and the objects on them must be arranged harmoniously, without chaos.

Lighting

Lighting is a great way to decorate a room and plays one of the most important roles in decorating. Just changing the lighting will help to achieve huge results in decoration. After all, it is a large amount of light that is a frequent technique used by designers. Lots of natural soft light in your bedroom or living room will help you relax, while a cool color in your office will help you concentrate.

Plants, flowers

It is known that flowers and plants are not only the main source of oxygen, but also a beautiful and modern decoration for the room. With the help of plants, you can refresh the room, make the interior more natural and natural. But you need to use flowers in moderation and try not to overdo it, otherwise the room will look like a greenhouse. Flowers are chosen depending on the color and size of the plant. But it is worth remembering that plant species are selected not only depending on your taste, but also depending on the conditions needed by certain types of flowers. Some like a lot of moisture, others a lot of sunlight or shade, so this feature should also be taken into account.

DIY crafts

There are different ideas on the Internet to decorate a room with your own hands by creating a variety of crafts. Here are a few of them.

Circle painting

A very easy way to decorate a room with your own hands is a bubble painting. To create it, we only need a tablet, scissors, a large brush, matte decoupage glue, white acrylic paint and papyrus paper of the desired colors. First you need to paint the tablet with a layer of white paint and dry, then cut out circles of different sizes from papyrus paper and distribute them on the tablet according to your tastes. Next, glue the circles and gently smooth them with a brush. The bubble painting is ready. Also, instead of circles, you can use completely different shapes to your taste.

Images from Instagram

Paste photos from Instagram onto a square tablet using a brush and glue, after printing them out and cutting them out. It is worth considering the size of photos and a tablet. For 9 10x10 photos to fit perfectly, the base should be 30x30. You can also do without cardboard by sticking images directly on the wall using double-sided tape. The idea for decorating the room is ready.

Topographic threads

This way of decorating a room requires accuracy and patience. We will need a wooden tablet, a hammer, small nails and thread. First, we apply the desired pattern to the base. Then we put a few points into which we drive nails. Next, we tie the thread to one nail and randomly wrap it around each nail. For better results, you can repeat the process with a thread of a different color.

Video

We recommend watching these videos to help decorate the room in an original way.

tips and fun ideas for decorating a nursery, living room, small and large room

How to decorate rooms for the New Year

It's great if the details of the Christmas decoration in all your rooms will "work" together. That is, if in the living room you decorate the windows with silver snowflakes with your own hands, then choose the same color for the snowflakes in the bedroom (or the color may be different, but then it’s worth repeating the shape of the picture in order to “link” the festive design of the apartment into a single whole). Various elements are used for New Year's decoration in the rooms.

Garlands are hung on the walls, and any suitable surfaces in the form of patterns or just in one luminous line. LED curtains are also in trend.

Photo: pixabay.com

Coniferous wreaths can be placed on walls and doors.

Photo: pixabay.com

New Year's compositions are made from spruce branches, complemented by bows, cones, berries and even fresh flowers. You can put such bouquets anywhere - from a wide headboard to a mantelpiece, if you have one, of course.

Photo: pixabay.com

Snowflakes and other New Year's pattern on windows can be made of paper, as in childhood, or simply painted with a special washable paint.

Photo: pixabay.com

Balloons are multi-colored or in the same color scheme, they are hung in the form of garlands or laid out in small baskets along with fir branches.

Photo: pixabay.com

Baskets with tangerines, gingerbread and nuts will be especially good for the kitchen, but will also serve as wonderful decorations in other rooms.

Photo: pixabay.com

We place decorative pillows and bedspreads on a sofa or window sill, we can drape any surface with a bedspread. You can limit yourself to just napkins with New Year's ornaments - hang them in an artistic form or lay them on a coffee table or chest of drawers.

Photo: Element5 Digital, pexels.com

candles create a special atmosphere in the room, it is only important not to forget about safety when placing them.

Photo: pixabay.com

How to decorate a living room for the New Year

Let's start with the living room or hall - the room in which you will most likely celebrate the New Year 2024. It should be given maximum attention during the New Year's decoration of the home. First, remove everything superfluous from the room - unnecessary boxes from under the sofa, various dusty cheap souvenirs from the open shelves of cabinets, purely “everyday” things, if you suddenly have them stored there (for example, bills and receipts from a chest of drawers). Let nothing distract you or your guests from the atmosphere of the magic of New Year's Eve.

Next, we start thinking about decorations. It is important that your version of the New Year's decoration of the living room is combined as a whole with the interior of the room. There are neutral, the most suitable options for everything.

New Year's classic

Photo: pixabay.com

This is, for example, the red-golden-green gamut familiar to us from Christmas booklets. It, like nothing else, is applicable to modern city apartments and, taking into account small variations, it will wonderfully fit into an ordinary interior.

Ecostyle

Photo: Doralin Tunas, pexels.com

Suitable if your living room is decorated in minimalist and neutral colors. Natural materials and soft natural shades will perfectly play on them. Add just a few bright accents - we still have a holiday here.

How to decorate the bedroom for the New Year

To decorate the bedroom for the New Year 2024, it is recommended to choose calmer colors than for other rooms in the apartment. Still, this is the room where you relax, so the abundance of tinsel and sparkles here will be superfluous. It is better to add more greenery: hang pine branches around the bedroom, decorate the window with candles, New Year's wreaths.

If you have a mirror cabinet, you can paint the same pattern on it as on the windows. It is for the bedroom that romantic LED or New Year-themed curtains are perfect. Proper lighting in this room will generally play a leading role in creating an atmosphere: make it soft and diffuse to give the atmosphere a little mystery and magic. For this purpose, candles floating in decorative plates are good; they can also be placed on a windowsill or chest of drawers.

Another option is a country-style bedroom. The emphasis in this case is on creating comfort in the environment. More decorative pillows and do-it-yourself napkins, lay a wicker rug on the floor, and replace the usual bedspread on the bed with a homespun blanket.

How to decorate a nursery for the New Year

Photo: pixabay.com

Decorating this room for the New Year is a must with the children. For them, hanging garlands and carving snowflakes will be an exciting game that the whole family can play.

The main principle of New Year's decoration of a children's room is safety. Make sure the tree is secure and the garlands won't sparkle. It all depends on the age of your child: in the room of small children, it is better to replace glass toys with paper or fabric ones. It is not so difficult to make them on your own, again, by connecting the baby himself to the process.

Of course, you should not use candles in the design of a nursery - to create a magical flicker in the room, it is better to stop at safe garlands or electric lamps.

Children's room can be decorated in the style of Russian fairy tales or New Year's films. Hang an advent calendar on the wall: these are small bags with souvenirs, sweets and funny little things. Your son or daughter will open them one after another, as the New Year approaches.

Photo: pixabay.com

On the bed in the child's room, you can lay bed linen with New Year's drawings or a curtain.

Photo: pixabay.com

As for the Christmas tree in the nursery, don't forget about the main thing when decorating it. On the night of January 1, 2024, gifts must appear under the New Year tree. You can also put a surprise in a sock hanging on the wall or door - by the way, several socks in different places in the room will also be a great addition to decorating the interior.

How to decorate the kitchen for the New Year

No need to think that such a seemingly purely domestic room does not need decoration. It is in the kitchen that you meet the new day of 2024, which means that here, too, the interior should set you in a good mood and create an atmosphere of the upcoming holiday. Only for the kitchen it is especially important not to overdo it with the decor - after all, they also cook there, and neither tinsel nor the Christmas tree should interfere with this process.

Photo: pixabay.com

When decorating the kitchen for the New Year, it is generally advisable to use a table Christmas tree. It can be artificial, but on the eve of 2024, designers still advise choosing a natural one in a pot.

Also use applique or drawings on the windows and decorative napkins for the New Year's decoration of the kitchen with your own hands. And of course, "edible decoration": a few baskets with holiday cookies, sweets and smartly packaged lollipops. By the way, cookies can be hung on the windows on bright ribbons.

You can't ignore New Year's dishes. It is not necessary to buy a whole set with Santa Claus, small details will be enough, for example, napkin holders with Christmas deer, salt shakers in the form of Santa Claus or hot coasters with snowflakes.

Where to put the Christmas tree

Photo: pixabay.com

In the same style that you have chosen for the apartment, we decorate the Christmas tree with our own hands. It doesn't have to be a big tree in the middle of the room. Christmas trees or coniferous branches today, designers offer to put on the table in pots or vases, hang on the walls in the form of garlands and wreaths.

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