I love the holiday season. Which one, you ask? All of them! I enjoy the special traditions and time with family, I love the great food and gatherings around a table, and of course, decor is so important to me. It’s one of my favorite things to create a welcoming space to celebrate special memories with my loved ones. But, holiday decor can be known as a bit cheesy. It conjures up images of huge inflatable pumpkins or oversized Christmas gifts in your lawn (if that’s your thing, go for it and love it!), which aren’t my style. I’ve learned a few things over the years about decorating while still staying true to my neutral, polished aesthetic:
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-Halloween is just around the corner, and although I don’t always decorate specifically for the holiday, I do love a moody/dark theme for the halloween season. Think black, navy, gold, and even hints of burgundy to create something that feels “moody” but still elegant. Shimmery gold charger plates, burgundy candles or linens…these can all work together without feeling like you threw some skeletons or black cats on the dining room table ;) If you don’t want to celebrate Halloween or decorate in black and orange, you can simply choose to mark the autumn season with rich jewel tones and pretty textures.
-It starts with the entryway: Your entryway is the first impression, and can set the stage for your party or gathering. Although we are still dealing with Coronavirus, it is still special to mark the holidays with your immediate family, with things like pretty wreaths, candles, or banners on the door. I like the look of the newer wooden circle signs, for something different than a wreath. If you don’t love changing your decor for every season or holiday, consider a neutral wreath that you can tuck little touches into for Christmas or easter, to make it simpler for yourself.
Don’t forget the bathroom: You don’t have to deck out your whole bathroom, but it’s really nice to add some small touch of festivity in your guest or main bathroom. At Christmastime, a tiny tree (opt for real plants or something that doesn’t look fake) with twinkle lights, and some vintage style hand towels make it subtle but sweet. You can really add a small touch of decor to your bathroom for any holiday (even Fourth of July) with things like star candles, twinkle lights, interchangeable rugs or hand towels, and little wooden signs. These things are easy to customize and change up, and they add personality without looking cluttered. Remember that less is more, and it’s okay if you only add a very subtle bit of holiday spark!
Cream and white can be festive, too: You don’t have to use tons of color if you always gravitate towards soft neutrals. For a lovely thanksgiving table, layer hues of cream, brown, and white for a really classy table (aim for textures like linen, cotton, and even burlap to add interest). You can add wooden candle holders, and greenery and, the tablescape can even be duplicated at Christmastime with some added touches. A neutral styled table can be the starting ground for any holiday, so it’s ideal to keep all those basics on hand, and then build on them when you need to.
Happy decorating!