Decorators' tips for window design contest

For nearly 30 years, decorating has been part of these Elgin women's lives.

Gina Lempa works as an independent sales representative, selling silk flowers, ribbons, baskets, glassware and other home decor items. Her friend Pat Quillman, former owner of the antique and gift store Pat's Pickin's, spent years putting up Christmas trees and displays at banks. Today, she works as a tour guide for Students to the Theater, a group that exposes high school pupils to musicals and plays.

But both women know a lot about designing window displays -- from those promoting flowers and jewelry to others that display lingerie.

"Window display is something I've done in the past," said Lempa, who lives on the city's east side. "It's still a natural thing for me to do."

They must get their eye for detail from their mothers. Lempa's mom, Lucille Goben, worked for years in the gift-wrap department at the old Spiess Department store in downtown Elgin. And Quillman's mom, Marietta McMasters, ran the store's jewelry counter.

A few days ago, Lempa and Quillman spread their knowledge about design and details to guide people in the right direction when it comes to the Window Wonderland competition.

The ninth annual Window Wonderland, held by the Downtown Neighborhood Association, is the unofficial start to Elgin's holiday season.

Each year, families, businesses and organizations sign up to design a window in downtown Elgin, using a winter theme.

This year's focus is, "Holidays from the Past, Present and Future."

Decorating begins now through Nov. 30. On Dec. 1, a panel of judges will scrutinize all of the windows based on appeal and creativity.

Between Dec. 1 and New Year's Eve, you can vote for your favorite windows at various downtown locations.

Winners will be announced in early January.

In case you missed their chat, here are a few tips you can use when you start designing your window:

• Stick to larger details in your window that are easily noticed from a distance. "If you had a table and you wanted small items … like glasses or small toys, it would be nice but that wouldn't be your main focus," Lempa says.

• Pick a theme and stick with it, to prevent yourself from doing too much, Quillman said. For example, if you're interested in showing Christmas past, use antiques and other vintage items to emphasize that theme.

• Use bright or bold colors to catch people's attention right away. "Often times you want to use bright or bold colors so people can see them from the street and sidewalk," Lempa said.

_ When you start putting your window together, be sure to use items that are actually sold at your business, since one of the goals is to draw people inside, Quillman said. "It's really not good to have things that are not for sale," she said. "It doesn't bring good will."

• Don't load your window with too much clutter -- keep it clean and simple.

• It may seem like a no brainer, but start with a clean canvas -- wash your window before you do anything else with it. You don't want dirt or anything of the sort interfering with your design.