holiday decorating

We all love to decorate our homes for the holidays in a way that reflects our personal style; and every year, it’s nice to fill in and add to what we already use with a few fresh, new finds. Over the years of my career as an art director and photographer, I’ve had to style many photo shoots, so it’s fun when I get the time and opportunity to style my own home.

I stick with an airy palette of white, gold, greys and shades of green when decorating for Christmas. I also love the juxtaposition of mixing metals and luxurious textures like velvet, fur, and wool with organic elements like cedarwood, magnolia leaves, succulents, seeded eucalyptus, pears, artichokes and herbs. Try using a chunky wool or fur throw as a tree skirt instead of the typical store bought ones. One year I used a few yards of velvet fabric as a tree skirt. And, you can never have too many pretty, flickering candles in woodsy scents. Don’t forget to load up on white tealights for mercury glass votives and tapers for timeless wooden candlesticks like these and these!

Each year I purchase a live tree, garland, wreath and paper white flowers, because I love the softness and smell of fresh greenery in the house. I prefer to support local nurseries, like Collier’s in Birmingham, but since there’s not one near where I live now in Franklin, I purchased some at Costco.) In addition to using garland on the stair banisters, lay it across your dining table as a runner with mercury glass votives and taper candles scattered throughout. Given that decorations only stay up for about 45 days, and I don’t do after Christmas sales to buy ahead for the next year, I try to find new looks that are affordable. It might be just to add Christmas spirit in another room of the house like a playroom or study. Here are my picks for simple “freshen ups” and “fill-ins” to holiday decor this season. Hope you find a bit of inspiration for your own home. Cheers!

XO,
Heather