Decorating & Design
November 19, 2021
How Designers Decorate Their Homes For The Holidays
‘Tis the season for mulled wine bubbling on the stove, the smell of fresh evergreens wafting in the air and delicate snowflakes dancing in the sky! There are so many ways to celebrate this special season — and one of our favorites is decking the halls. We asked a handful of designers to give us a sneak peek inside their homes dressed for the holidays. Some even some even shared their most treasured traditions and memories!
From holiday-inspired tablescapes and mantels, to tree ornaments and menorahs, scroll down to discover these designer-approved holiday decorating ideas.
Nyla Free – Calgary
“The designer in me likes to change up our Christmas decor year after year. We have our mainstay items, and traditional pieces that come out each year, however the color scheme, and overall vibe tends to change. Last year was our first Christmas post renovation, and I embraced it to its fullest. Three trees, live greens along all the railings, and wreaths on every window (even some on pantry cabinets!). I loved it so much I think this year will be a repeat performance.”
Jessica Waks – Toronto
“I love decorating for Hanukkah because the shimmering metallics and different shades of blue complement my home’s color scheme perfectly. I always incorporate traditional items like dreidels and Hanukkah gelt (foil-wrapped gold coins) into my decor — it looks so festive! A show-stopping menorah in brass or gold is always the centrepiece. Chag Sameach!”
Gillian Segal – Vancouver
“Opt for lower arrangements and lower candles (or very slim tall tapered candles that don’t impact your ability to share conversation). To create that festive holiday feeling, focus more on the season than the actual holiday. Use rich merlot colors, or bring in the orange from something other than pumpkins (orange citrus on branches can be beautiful and feels more sophisticated). I also love the use of feathers – like a pheasant feather used as a decorative item with napkins.”
Jenifer Green – New York
“A successful tablescape starts with a cohesive plan that considers color, size and composition. I love using a variety of heights of candles and candlesticks. I love to incorporate the warm tones of brass holders with classic cream tapers and pillars. I prefer the natural characteristics of a rustic wood surface over a table cloth. Be original. A personal touch is always extra special, like handwritten placeholder cards or an individual votive for each place setting. Simple elements with rich textures and colors go a long way.”
Nicole Salceda – San Francisco
“Minimalistic and organic is not only a common theme in our home projects but also can be applied to Christmas decorating. Luxe ribbon in neutral tones, wood garland and a few pretty ornaments is all you need to create a beautiful tree this holiday season!”
Lauren Meichtry – Manhattan Beach, CA
“A common mistake I see is the “more is more” mentality when it comes to Christmas decor. Unless you’re signing up to be featured on the Great Christmas Light Fight, I think your home should just be sprinkled with holiday decor. Less is most definitely more.”
Sarah Walker — Toronto
“Our holiday decor was inspired by the simple beauty of nature. Boughs of green and sculptural branches take center stage in every nook and cranny of the house. Our favorite traditions include a decadent meal of chateaubriand on Christmas Eve. My two boys then open one gift of their choosing by the fire and everyone opens and dons their Christmas jammies for games and movies.”
Ruqiya Imtiaz-Uddin — Sugar Land, Texas
“I love any excuse to create special moments throughout my home. I have early memories of my mother doing the same, whether it was notes on our lunch bags or an elaborately-cooked Pakistani meal styled perfectly on the table with the aroma of incense filling the air — she always has a way of elevating the ordinary. For me, the holidays are no exception: I enjoy filling my home with eucalyptus, pine and evergreens, along with an array of woody scents.”
Nike Onile — Toronto
“‘Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to accomplish something big, that we fail to notice the little things that give life its magic.’ Though not necessarily related to Christmas, this quote reminds me that it’s in the little things — time spent and love shared with family — that the brilliant parts of life happens. In my family, all of our holidays are done pot-luck style and Christmas is no exception. What I love about this tradition is the sum of our parts always end up making this incredibly brilliant meal. It reminds me that I too am a part of a sum; in my beautiful family.”
Jillian Harris — Kelowna, British Columbia
“When it comes to holiday decor, I like to invest in quality items that I can use year after year. While doing so can be a bit of an investment upfront, it saves money in the long run and helps keep items out of the landfill! I generally like to stick to neutral colors, such as whites and creams, and incorporate a pop of red into the mix for a classic nostalgic feel. In my opinion, red is a quintessential holiday color, and I find it so easy to add into your home with pillows, throws, slipcovers, napkins and more!”
Aly Velji — Calgary
“Our holiday style definitely has a lot of mid-century inspiration. We live in a house that was built in 1959 (we call it our Brady Bunch House), so we love all the kitsch, bright colors and unexpected elements. My husband, Jason, and I have a tradition of watching Love Actually every year at some point in our pyjamas, opening up our gifts and just being together. With leading such busy lives, sometimes it is nice to just stop and do nothing!”
Brenda Danso — Toronto
“This year’s holiday decor was inspired by nature. We spend a lot of time in this room, so using earth colors makes it feel serene and complements the existing color palette. To create this neutral look, consider adding natural greenery, pine cones, branches, neutral plaids and bringing more of the outdoors in.”
Marianna Tomlenovich — Coquitlam, British Columbia
“Our Christmas decor is timeless and elegant. We chose a real white-flocked noble tree to tie in perfectly with our black and white home. On the tree is a curated mix of newer and handed down vintage glass ornaments from previous generations. Inspired by our two daughters’ favorite color, we added a soft pink-colored silk garland for a little pop of color. Having a real Christmas tree is an absolute must for our family. Every year, we look forward to going out to the nursery and finding that one perfect tree for our home.”
Sun Ah Brock — Montreal
“I used buffalo plaid napkins, a jute runner and artificial greenery (you’d never guess!) for my holiday table setting. The paperwhite bulbs and cedar branches look so real, so I didn’t hesitate to use them in abundance to create a festive look that will last the entire holiday season. Placing ornaments on the plates really adds a festive touch, even when the colors are more muted and neutral.”
Kelly Anderson — Fredericton
“I keep everything in my home simple and natural, and that includes holiday decorations. I actually grew up on a Christmas tree farm as a kid, so I’ve always loved going outside to find greenery, cones and berry branches to bring in. It feels organic and fresh — and smells so good!”