Decorating & Design
How Lynda Reeves Decorates For The Holidays
Updated on November 17, 2023
Lynda Reeves shares her new take on holiday decorating.
At House & Home Christmas comes in August. And then for months after that, there are TV segments to tape, studio vignettes to set up and holiday events to prep for. By December 24th, I’m done — I don’t want to see another pine bough, bit of ribbon, holly or ball of any kind! But then there’s still Christmas at home, which I love and can’t ignore. For years, I’ve relied on the same no-fuss formula of table decorations and red candles. No one complained and it was nice but, after a decade, I must change it up.
Using the modern art at home as the inspiration for a fresh take and calling in help from florist Todd Caldwell at Emblem made it easy. I promise you, these are straightforward ideas that you can use to customize your own style. It took me a day to buy supplies and fuss and be crafty. (OK, full disclosure, our craft stylist helped me by making samples of crackers that were amazing!) Now setting the table on December 24th will be simple.
My best tip is to consider your rooms, your china and the things you already have before you pick a new theme. You may like the look of a “Kinfolk Christmas” on the pages of magazines, but kraft paper and pinecones may not bring much style to a classic city house. Here’s what worked for me.
I keep it simple and all-green with very little other color except for the chartreuse velvet ribbon; the ribbon color varies from year to year. I don’t like too much going on with exterior lights or decorations. Archie, our bearded collie, seems to agree!
I prefer a swag of pine to a wreath because it hangs better.
For the urns, it’s always winter greenery and natural bits like pinecones and berries. This is a traditional house and the elements are great, so why mess with it?
Todd (pictured) taught me this. Fill a vase or pot with greens to create a base. I like to mix pine, salal, spruce and holly, or any red berries. Then pop in a few roses with large heads. My color mix is red, orange and hot pink. Sometimes I add a celery shade like green hydrangea for contrast. Change the water every day and, eventually, when the roses die, replace them. The greens will go on much longer.
In the front hall, Todd used a favorite old Chinese export pot. He placed a plastic container inside and filled it with a classic combo of roses and evergreens.
This is a super simple yet beautifully elegant wrap. You create bundles by wrapping any gift in either tissue or a remnant of solid-colored fabric.
Chose a shade that will complement the silk gauze that’s going on top. For the gauze layer, cut a generous square of fabric and tie it up in a bundle. Thick kraft paper tags tied on with leather laces are the perfect combination with the silk gauze.
Click here for the full instructions.
Brass-colored metal ornaments hang from the doorknobs around the house. They’re filled with sachets.
On the table I’ve used colorful elements that play off the mobile and other art.
The placemats are by Chilewich in rose gold, the plates are stone-colored and very simple, and the combination of Waterford crystal champagne flutes, stemless rose-colored tumblers and fabulous blue-and-white painted water glasses is playful and fun. The napkins in chartreuse linen are an old set that I treasure for the amazing color that’s so hard to find. The handmade crackers are the finishing touch.
Christmas crackers are the best because they make great table decorations and you can personalize them by filling them with wonderful treats. You can either use store-bought ones and just swap out the contents, or you can make your own. It’s so easy that you won’t regret trying this.
It’s what’s inside that counts. Write custom fortunes. Fold up lottery tickets or gift certificates to anything. I like to give movie vouchers from Cineplex that are always a hit. Key rings, iPhone earbuds, lip gloss, a beautiful pen, and there’s always jewelry! This is a wonderful project for kids.
Click here for the full instructions.
Donna Griffith
House & Home November 2019
Lynda Reeves