Christmas Decor that
Matches Your Home
STORY & PHOTOS BY COURTNEY WARREN
NEWS FLASH:
You don’t have to decorate for Christmas with red and green.
Now, for some of you this is old news. But for others, this revelation is completely liberating. I mean, red and green is what Christmas
is “supposed” to be, right? Your grandma, maybe even your mom TOLD you so. Or at least they never had any other combo. From the cross stitch red stockings on the mantel to the red and green Christmas tree place settings on the table, the message was: don’t mess with traditional Christmas colors. But that was then, and this is now. Friends, go ahead and hit the reset button, because you absolutely can
decorate for the holidays with colors that coordinate with -even amplify -the decor style you already have going in your home…only with more Christmas sparkle! So if you are no longer intimidated by venturing out on holiday color choices, I’m giving you personal
permission now to explore new options for seasonal decor. Here are some tips and examples from a favorite client’s home to show you how to pull out the stops and create your most fabulous and welcoming Christmas decor ever.
1. Start with the right tree.
My unswerving counsel about the Christmas tree, folks, is “go big or go home.” Once you’ve chosen colors that optimize your
home’s decor and you’ve picked your tree, you’ll want to use oversized ornaments and completely fill your tree with an extravagant
variety of shapes, sizes, and textures. A good rule of thumb is: if you can see much of the tree, you don’t have enough ornaments!
To achieve an over-the-top look that coordinated with my client’s home decor, we used a scheme of rose gold, copper, and
silver. Glass finials, bulbs, and ball ornaments fill every inch for this gorgeous tree. Don’t forget the ribbon, especially the big, wide,
glitzy ribbon–it’s my holiday secret weapon. I love the wide metallic mesh ribbon that curls and swirls around and between large ornaments. Wide satin ribbons are another option–metallic plaids or a black and white awning stripe, as well as shimmering organdy,
rich velvets, and beaded anything.
“By the way, I typically advise clients an alternative to the lonely star at the top of the tree and opt instead for a knock-your-socks-off topper. Don’t be shy about large clusters of shiny, sparkly, be-ribboned elements of all kinds that crown your tree in the lavishmanner it deserves.”
2. Match your gift wrap to your holiday decor.
Do you want a true designer touch? Consider gift wrap color. Would you conjure up fabulous blush and metallic trees and then
place red or green packages under them? Of course not! For my client, we procured rose gold and metallic silver paper in solids
to maximize the look of the trees in this home and allow them to shine. This is a small simple detail that makes a huge impact on the look of the overall room. Now, this doesn’t mean that humble kraft paper need not ever apply. For example, if your home’s decor says “vintage cottage” or “classic farmhouse” or even “modernist minimal” and you love subtle colors of nature, artisanal objects, and wood tones, your tree will of course reflect that aesthetic. So have fun embellishing it with lots of your natural or woodland theme and then match your papers to your tree. Wrap those packages in brown kraft paper and insert a sprig of rosemary in the twine bow with my blessing. For more fun, have the kids decorate the paper!
3. Make it magical
There’s never a better time to bring a dazzling, unexpected element to your interiors than during the holidays. Whether it’s a 10-foot tree, a colossal wreath of shimmering glass balls, or an extravagantly sized floral creation on your table, dive in and style like a boss. In this home, we brought in a stunning life-size sleigh bedecked with garlands of rose gold and silver ornaments and then filled it with wrapped gifts. The kids in this household are convinced they live in a fairyland–or the North Pole. Go ahead, be inspired to create something truly
elaborate and unforgettable in your home. It is the most wonderful time of the year
4. Embrace non-traditional colors
I’ve given you permission to forego red and green in favor of the colors that are already in your home. Navy? Grey and white? Blush and bashful? How exciting to create a holiday theme in your favorite colors! Just add some greenery (which could be white or metallic) and some glitzy accents and you’re halfway there.
In my client’s home, blush tones and mixed metallics were already in play. Her festive decor is an extension of that theme, but of course amped up with more shine and glamor. And why have just ONE tree if you can have more? I like to carry the joy (and color scheme) throughout the house and having multiple trees is one trick I use to accomplish that. The holidays mean food and gathering around the table, so these special days are a perfect opportunity to set a festive spread with plenty of sparkle. In this elegant dining room, the black notes are a striking counterpoint to the crisp whites and warm blush tones. To bring in the winter wonderland, we didn’t spare the wow factor: plenty of mixed metals, from rose gold to champagne to silver. For a centerpiece, shimmery fruits dazzle in large footed silver bowls surrounded by silver and pearl stylized Christmas trees. All the reflective surfaces bounce the light around the room. Imagine the candles lit–this is a room meant for a party!
I love the gold magnolia leaf chargers under the striking geometric black and white plates. (Gasp! Black and white for Christmas?? Oh, yes, ma’m!) We finished off this sophisticated setting with rose gold flatware and an extra-large gold jingle bell tied with a delicate organdy ribbon. This gorgeous place setting could be serving cold microwave pizza and still look like a five-star restaurant.
2020 has been a crazy year, right?
If the prospect of decorating for the holidays brings out only a sigh or a groan, it may be time to shake up your approach. Set those boxes of old, tired things aside for donation. Go out on a limb by looking around your house and asking yourself, “What do I really like?” When you’ve answered that question, you’re on your way to creating a vibrant new holiday look in your home. It may be red and green–but then again, it might not! And that personal touch is what will make your holiday decor special!
