Celebrity Style
See How HGTV Stars Chip & Joanna Gaines Decorate For The Holidays
Published on November 18, 2016
It should come as no surprise that HGTV alums Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip have an easygoing attitude about holiday decorating. After all, with so many projects on the go it’s hard to imagine how they find time to trim the tree at all! Just like the homes featured on their show, Fixer Upper, Joanna embraces rustic finishes, natural touches and a timeless palette with her festive decor. “Whether you are decorating big or a little, remember the wonder of this beautiful season starts in our hearts and in our homes. Enjoy the celebration!” she says. Take a peak inside The Magnolia House to see how these two talented Texans decorate their beloved rental home for the holidays.
“Any place where I can add Christmas greenery I do; I probably go overboard with it. There’s nothing like holiday greenery in your space to help cozy up your home!” says Joanna. A delicate arrangement of greenery and berries is the perfect addition to this shiplap-filled bathroom.
In this upstairs kitchen, Joanna added a pair of small wreaths on either side of the window and a small tree in one corner.
A vintage-inspired pillow from Magnolia Home adds a “Holly Jolly” message to the dining area.
On top of the kitchen’s table lies a vignette of greenery and glittery florals. “A little trick I do every year is mix fresh greenery with faux. You can get Christmas tree pickings free at any place that sells fresh trees,” says Joanna.
The dining room’s black and white scheme gets a healthy addition of red and green come the holidays. “I love to drape faux garland around all of my chandeliers,” says Joanna.
Setting the dining table for the holidays is something Joanna always looks forward to. “I get to pull out all of my antique dishes, vintage cups, and napkin rings — most of which I got for under five bucks a piece. Over the years I’ve collected these items or as Chip would say ‘hoarded’ them. It’s so fun to see all these mix-matched pieces come together on the table to celebrate this season of thankfulness!” says Joanna.
The timeless red and green scheme continues in this bedroom with wreaths, a miniature tree and stripey stockings that look like candy canes.
“Cozy things up by adding a few lit, unscented candles to your space and create centerpieces that take less than ten minutes to assemble,” recommends Joanna. Her bottlebrush trees are right on trend, too!
The Gaines family must get their fair share of holiday cards. Instead of reserving them for the main living area, spreading a few throughout the house is a nice idea. Or, as Joanna does here, consider tearing out a couple of pages from an old book and writing sweet holiday wishes in red.
Adorable candy-colored houses sprinkled with snow are a pretty addition to a young girl’s bedroom. With two daughters of her own, Emmie Kay and Ella Rose, Joanna sure knows what little girls would love most.
These metal trays suspended from the ceiling can be redecorated with the same sweet holiday houses and a dash of greenery come Christmas.
“I’ve been listening to Christmas music since October and I still haven’t had enough of it,” jokes Joanna. “I’m one of those people. I want to savor every taste, sound and smell of Christmas.” Even in the kitchen a touch of holiday whimsy can be found on the windowsill and on a chalkboard next to the sink.
“One of my favorite things to do for a holiday table is bring the outside in,” says Joanna. She can’t resist bringing the outdoors in with evergreen garlands either!
The living room is the pièce de résistance of Joanna’s holiday decorating, complete with a vintage-inspired metal ‘Merry Christmas’ sign (available for purchase through Magnolia Home!).
Metal ‘Mistletoe’ buckets filled with birch logs can be found throughout the house. “I’m normally one of the crazies that likes to have stuff up by November 1 so I can enjoy it longer,” jokes Joanna. “I love how Christmas decor makes a home feel so warm and cozy.”
“I also love a Christmas tree that displays years of memories and sweet moments as a family,” adds Joanna. And when it comes to ensuring your home is ready for holiday gatherings it helps to start decorating well ahead of time. “Don’t over commit yourself by redecorating your entire living room the day before your gathering,” says Joanna. “And remember perfection is not the goal. Celebrating each other and this holiday is the point of the gathering.”
“I love the simplicity of a wreath and how it adds texture and dimension to the walls,” says Joanna. Not every room needs to be decked out from head to toe. Having a few relatively undecorated spaces can be your refuge from the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
In a small space like a bedroom, sticking to one color is a smart strategy. Here Joanna embraced shades of green with a pompom garland and swapped out nightstands in favor of a pair of mini Christmas trees.
For a larger bedroom in an open-concept space, it’s easier to spread the holiday decor around without overwhelming. Just remember, bedrooms should still feel serene and calming.
“We all need to remember to take pit stops, especially this month and next, since we are all scrambling to get everything done before Christmas,” says Joanna. “Enjoy this beautiful season and don’t let busyness rob you of the very things that bring you wonder. May your hearts and homes be merry and bright. Merry Christmas!”
All images courtesy of Magnolia Market