For as long as I can remember, the holiday season has been my very favorite time of year. The time spent with loved ones, excitement of giving and receiving gifts, and magical feeling in the air have always made it a treasured occasion, and now that my wedding anniversary and both sons’ birthdays fall between Thanksgiving and Christmas…well, let’s just say that I am feeling downright jolly these days!
I suppose it goes without saying, then, that helping clients get their homes ready for holiday celebrations is an absolute joy for me. Maybe it’s all the glitter and sparkle, maybe it’s the happy memories of helping my mom decorate my childhood home, maybe it’s the looks on the faces of a family seeing their home lit up with the soft glow of twinkling lights! Whatever it is, I get so much enjoyment out of holiday decor and truly believe that even without a professional decorator, anyone can put together a truly beautiful space to enjoy throughout the season.
Choosing a decor scheme can definitely feel overwhelming when the stores are brimming with garlands, ornaments, lights, bows…etc. etc. etc.! I always advise my clients to narrow things down by choosing an overall color and/or material they love and building from there. For example, the family whose lovely home is shown in these photos wanted a preppy, New England vibe to match their personal style. Together we selected this red and black plaid fabric and pearls to guide our decor scheme.
Christmas decor is largely centered around lovely greenery, so selecting a tree and style of garland that you love will set the tone for the rest of your decor. If you are able to invest in high-quality garland, I definitely recommend doing so! Your family will enjoy it for years, and it will make everything else you choose seem more expensive. The one here on the banister and the one over the mantle both have battery-powered LED lights built in, so it adds that magical twinkling glow without extra cords and clutter. And, as with all design, it’s all about the layering and textures here! We used the ribbon, pinecones, and red magnolia stems to create a look with depth.
You can see how the same plaid ribbon makes an appearance throughout the decor scheme for a consistent look. I especially love adding ribbon on a Christmas tree. This allows you to hang all of the special ornaments that your kids made or were passed down to you and still maintain a cohesive feel by keeping the look tied together throughout the home.
I also love to leave some room for fresh greenery whenever possible! There’s nothing like the aroma of pine filling your home to really put everyone in the holiday spirit. Here, I added it to the chandelier for a simple but special touch.
One important thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want your year-round decor to compete with your special holiday items. Definitely plan to temporarily store any of your usual accessories that don’t coordinate with the rest of your scheme.
And, on the flip side, anything that does work can absolutely be included. My client had various books in her holiday color scheme around her home so we decided to use them to display some of her favorite holiday pieces!
Seeing as Christmas is the coziest of holidays, you should absolutely plan to include your cozy blankets and candles into your holiday decor! I love swapping out pillows for fun seasonal ones, and this family’s faux fur throw happened to integrate perfectly into the overall look.
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and I look forward to helping you with your design needs in the new year!
XOXO,
Carolyn