Decorating & Design
November 4, 2015
Best Holiday Homes: Entrances & Hallways That Wow
Transitional spaces often aren’t the first place we think to decorate over the holidays, but they’re easy places to infuse with festive charm.
This entry, at a traditional Quebecois chalet owned by photographer Monic Richard, takes country charm to the max. A classic wreath plays beautifully with rustic wood walls, while hits of plaid — on the gifts, throw and even the red and black checked jacket – add colour and fun. A striped rug layered over stone floors gives a mod, pattern-on-pattern look.
Oversized pinecones, magnolia leaves and pretty white flowers make for a glam update on the trad garland. Set against herringbone wood floors and crisp white walls, this classic decorating move feels tailored and luxe.
For a truly festive look, add decorations in unexpected places — like this hallway. A glam DIY advent calendar is a stylish addition to a hardworking transitional space, and it’s a fun tradition for the kids. Making your own advent calendar is easy: just glue ribbon to a piece of cardboard, number tiny bags and clip to the ribbon with mini clothespins, then fill with treats.
In this light-filled nook at designer Betty Theodoropoulos’ Toronto home, graphic geometric floor tile lends a modern spin to classic holiday decorating. Gift wrap is restricted to a palette of green, white and gold, picking up on the lush hues of the paperwhites and pint-sized potted evergreens.
The beauty of this front porch comes from the contrast between the rustic console table and the home’s crisp white walls and mod black window frames. The leggy table has modern leanings, but feels purposefully undone when paired with a wooden basket of firewood.
At Sarah Richardon’s country home, classic is the keyword. The rich red door sets the tone and the textiles in this spacious front hall pick up on it, from the paisley curtains to the Scandi-inspired rug to the striped throw pillow. The panelled ceiling and walls add to the traditional feel, as do mismatched furniture, which gives the space an organic, collected vibe.
Designer Ingrid Oomen approached decorating her own home with a spare hand. Her entry is mostly unadorned, save for a simple garland made from twigs and shiny baubles. Overhead, schoolhouse-style pendant lights feel ornament-like, while a simple stained glass window is a nod to the home’s history.
Decorate your staircase with a boxwood garland, pinecones and smaller arrangements for a festive look that still feels modern. The key to adding fresh greenery to your holiday decor is abundance (skimpy garlands look a bit sad) and timing (fresh boughs won’t last the entire month, so don’t add them to your space until just before you plan to entertain).
Hanging a wreath overtop of a mirror is one of designer Grace Castaneda’s signature moves. In her Creemore, Ont. country home, the wreath is made of white felt baubles that visually reference snowballs, while a luxe ribbon elevates the entire vignette. Paperwhites are another classic Christmas move, while antler-shaped coat hooks are playful additions.
Get more holiday decorating ideas.