Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a
Holidays Lights
Dated: 12/02/2019
Views: 59








Fitzsimmons says her approach early in her holiday lighting career was a little less refined than it would eventually become, but after a few years she’d honed a classic, elegant lighting style. Part of that evolution involved leaning into accessories like wreaths and garlands, which can give a house a more finished look.
One of the biggest faux pas Fitzsimmons sees in holiday decor? Wreaths that are too small to highlight the windows and peaks the way they could.







Net lights designed for outdoor bushes and trees can make the task of holiday lighting go faster, but Fitzsimmons warns that the result can sometimes fall flat. Often nets don’t cover entire bushes or trees. Instead, following the natural lines of yard and house elements makes for more organic and complete-looking light displays.

Homeowners who are looking to deck out their homes for the holidays but are low on time (or energy) during the hectic holiday season might consider hiring a professional designer and installer for convenience and safety. Elaborate light displays like the kind Fitzsimmons creates can include as many as 300 strings of lights (or 15,000 bulbs) along with ribbons, wreaths and other accents. “Essentially, lifestyle does not allow people to have the time to really do the type of decor that they want to do or have a display that they want to have,” she says.
More important, though, Fitzsimmons says homeowners often underestimate the danger of attempting to set up rooftop lights and other outdoor decorations themselves. Her team, for instance, routinely scales 40-foot ladders, wields 30-foot poles and hangs wreaths that can weigh 60 pounds or more. “Do not get on more than a stepladder,” she says. “Don’t risk it. Because it’s not what you do everyday.”





In talking with clients about what effect they want to achieve with their holiday lights, Fitzsimmons is careful to offer her expert eye but also to embrace the homeowners’ unique style and personality.
“Do what makes you happy. I design it based on what my clients want,” she says. “Do I have a different preference? Probably. But I say if it makes people smile, that’s the goal. If it makes you happy, that’s what this is all about.”
Mostly, Fitzsimmons encourages homeowners and fellow lighting pros to have fun with their designs and the designs all around them this time of year.
“That’s what so thrilling about what I do,” she says. “It’s not like it’s on the interior of the house and only your family gets to see it. It is there for the community to enjoy and to celebrate.”

Patricia Belaire
As a real estate broker and real estate investor, Patricia Belaire understands the importance of really listening to the wants and needs of home sellers and home buyers and providing exceptional perso....
Latest Blog Posts
Slide 1Slide 1The idea to design holiday lights professionally came to Kelly Fitzsimmons like, well, a light bulb switching on. The Chicago-area pro launched Light Up Your Holidays nearly
Christmas Eve 1914, Denver ColoradoA young family gathers around the fireplace to celebrate and share in gift giving. Everyone tries real hard but sadly there’s a blue tone in everyone’s smile
1. Use fresh greeneryWreaths, garlands, and arrangements filled with winter foliage go hand in hand with any holiday decor. Johnson suggests using real greenery in your floral displays or