Maximize your festive style, even in a small space! Get inspired by this cozy, modern apartment decorated for Christmas with a chic color palette of charcoal grey, sparkling silver, and pops of vibrant red. Discover smart decorating tips, DIY ideas, and product links to create a stylish and inviting holiday home, perfect for urban living.

Small Apartment Christmas

in Gray, Red and Silver

DIY: Faux Mercury Glass Votive

This project is perfect for a small apartment because it adds a ton of sophisticated, reflective sparkle without taking up space. It’s an easy way to get a high-end, vintage silver look for pennies, and it pairs beautifully with grey and red.

What You'll Need:

• Glass Jars or Votives: (Recycled jam jars, candle holders from the dollar store, etc.)

• Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint: (This specific paint is key to getting the "mirror" effect.)

• Spray Bottle

• 1 part White Vinegar, 1 part Water

• Paper Towels

• Optional: Red velvet ribbon or twine, and battery-operated tea lights.

Instructions:

1. Prep Your Station: Work in a well-ventilated area (outside is best) and lay down newspaper. Clean your glass jars thoroughly and let them dry. Mix your vinegar and water in the spray bottle.

2. Spray the Glass: Lightly spray one thin coat of the Looking Glass paint on the inside of the jar.

3. Spritz the "Aging" Solution: Immediately, while the paint is still wet, spritz the inside of the jar with your vinegar-water solution. You will see the paint start to bead and mottle. This is what creates the "mercury glass" effect.

4. Blot Gently: After about 30 seconds, take a wadded-up paper towel and gently blot the inside. Don't wipe or rub! This blotting creates the textured, aged look.

5. Repeat and Layer: Let the first coat dry for a few minutes. Repeat the process—a light spray of paint, a spritz of vinegar, and a gentle blot—2 to 3 more times until you reach your desired level of silver. Remember, you wantsome of the clear glass to peek through.

6. Let It Dry: Let the votives dry completely for at least an hour.

7. Add the Finishing Touches: Once dry, tie a simple red velvet ribbon or twine around the rim for that perfect pop of color. Place a battery-operated tea light inside (the flame from a real candle can sometimes damage the paint finish) and watch it glow!

These votives look stunning grouped on a coffee table, lined up on a windowsill, or tucked into a bookshelf.