After the wreaths, the mistletoe, and the boughs of holly come down, what are you left with" Walls and doors with random holes from nails and tacks, the bane of many a real estate broker. How to get back to pristine walls" For advice, I turned to Albert Ridge of Ridge Painting in NYC. Albert, who grew up in County Galway, Ireland, and is known in my northern neck of the city as the most meticulous house painter around. “Covering up imperfections is all about the art of disguise,” says Albert. Here are his tips.

Above: A DIY cotton garland made by our own Justine Hand: See A Winter White Bough.
1. Remove nails gently.
Try first with your hands before getting out a hammer or pliers.

Above: One of our longstanding favorites for hanging light artwork and decorations: black-headed metal pushpins from Brook Farm General Store are easy to remove without leaving much of a trace. 2. Assess the damage.
If it’s a pin-size hole on a white wall, you can likely get away with simply covering it up with a touch of filler or paint applied with a Q-tip. (For paint tips, see below.) But if the hole is noticeable, you have to plug it. Albert recommends spackling or caulk or Elmer’s Wood Glue, and you can use your finger to work it in and then level it. Some people use white toothpaste; Albert says, “Don’t go there. You need a material that adheres and doesn’t crack.”

Above: Useful to have on hand: DAP Patch Stick Spackling ...