Love of decorating
People fall into two categories this time of year: those who love to decorate and those who don’t want to be bothered.
Diane Hereford loves to decorate. For years she has decorated her own home and, in partnership with her sister, made decorations she sold to neighbors and others in her community.
Two years ago Hereford decorated her son’s office. Jim Hereford is the CEO of NextSentry Corp., which shares the 11th floor of the historic Paulsen Building in downtown Spokane. That effort didn’t go unnoticed.
Lisa Dowers, building manager, asked Hereford if she would consider decorating the entire building. Hereford agreed and started shopping.
“It was fun because it was their money,” Hereford says. “I was like a kid in a candy store.”
“We love having her do this for us,” Dowers says. “She has wonderful ideas, and she is so creative.”
This year Hereford selected a primary color, Christmas red, as a theme and applied it liberally. Red bows anchor oversize wreaths and yards of garland.
Red ribbons, poinsettia blooms and sprigs of berries decorate the 14-foot artificial fir tree on the main floor.
A group of Victorian carolers stands beside the tree, and a train circles the base. Garlands are swagged from the stairs and over the large mirrors that hang on the walls.
The main lobby is anchored by an elaborate, and very large, floral arrangement made by Hereford.
“I found the planter first and then had a good time looking for things to put in it,” Hereford says.
“And I have to say I’m happy with the way it turned out.”
Arches of garlands frame the ornate panels over the elevators, and potted poinsettias sit on the floor.
It takes Hereford three days to decorate the building, parts of which are almost 100 years old, and another three days to take everything down. The decorations are stored in a large room at the Paulsen Building.
Taking on such a large decorating project hasn’t dimmed Hereford’s enthusiasm for decking out her own home. She and her husband, Ed, are living in an apartment while they build a new home in the Spokane area.
“I love to decorate, and I don’t get tired of it,” Hereford says. “I love it.”