These are some of the items I’m using for holiday décor this year — they’re my faves. Hopefully you can also find something for decking your halls! This year, I kept things simple. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably only use a third of your décor. After all, it’s the little things that make the biggest statement when decorating your home for the holidays. Of course, your tree is the star … so make that fabulous! I found the most beautiful glass balls (see below) to add to our tree, and along with special family ornaments, they nicely compliment the beaded garland and pinecones.
Once you’ve set the stage with your tree, you can add other festive touches here and there. Bowls of pinecones, small “tabletop” faux trees, accents of vintage ribbon tied around vases or candles, beautiful wrapping paper for presents under the tree, new hand towels at the ready for bar clean up … you get the idea. Switch out a few things and your home will feel ready!
Clouz Houz Tip: One of the easiest things you can do to make your home feel festive is use cut fresh greenery. Mix it in with faux stems for arrangements all around the house. This helps the faux look more real, AND you don’t have to worry about the entire arrangement drying out and looking horrible by Christmas!
Next week on the blog, I’ll be sharing more tips and pics for the holidays, as well as ways you can bring little festive touches to your home this holiday season.
1
8' Faux Tree
This is our first year with a faux tree, and we must admit, it's pretty nice! No debating about the tree being too small or too big, or straightening it in the stand, or untangling and adding lights, etc. What a major production! This year, it took me all of 30 minutes to assemble and fluff the branches -- gotta love that. We purchased this pre-lit, 8' King Noble Fir and it's very realistic. I do miss the smell of a fresh tree, but we added plenty of fresh cut cedar throughout the house ... and besides, that's what candles are for!
2
Faux Wreath with rope
This wreath is soooooo good for the price! I added a few clippings of real cedar and pine to each one to fill it out a bit, but otherwise it's realistic and cute. Hang it in a window, over a bed, or in a bathroom for a festive touch.
3
Buffalo Check Wrapping Paper
I'm all about wrapping pretty packages! I typically try to find a color palette that I also want to use for under the tree. This year, I went with navy and white buffalo check paper from the Amber Interiors Collection for Etsy. I also used mustard yellow velvet ribbon, and brown butcher paper with navy velvet ribbon. And, I found the cutest little green pine sprays from Amazon to add to each package's bow.
4
Iridescent Glass Ornaments
These ornaments are the perfect addition to our Winter Wonderland-vibe tree!I wanted something that was subtle but pretty with the white lights. This set comes in varying shades of white, light brown and the prettiest blush color. I ordered two sets, and they really don't disappoint.
5
Tabletop Tree with Lights
This tree is the perfect size for tabletop. We installed it on the table in our office/dining room, and it's so pretty when lit up! It also looks great in a basket with nothing else. It's all about simple greens and white lights in this case.
6
Tree Collar
In years past, we have wrapped the base of our tree in a blanket or tree skirt. But, this year, we finally decided to try a tree collar. This one is simple yet gorgeous, and we're really happy with it.
7
Kitchen Dish Towel
I bought a couple of these kitchen dish towels to have on hand at our bar and sink area. They come in handy, and don't feel so holiday-ish that you couldn't extend their use beyond the holidays. I could see also using them for wrapping a bottle of champagne as a holiday party hostess gift!
8
Mohair Throw Blanket
This blanket is super soft and cozy. It comes in a beautiful green as well, but I chose the charcoal grey since I knew it would go the distance beyond the holidays. These blankets are the perfect accompaniment for curling in by the fire and watching a good Christmas movie.
I used this ribbon everywhere, from wrapping packages to tying bows on wreaths. It's the perfect weight, and easy to tie. And, I LOVE choosing a color that is a bit out of the "norm." Although this reads somewhat gold, it gives a more current look to an old time, traditional holiday color.
10
Beaded Garland
We love the natural quality this garland added to our tree! It would also look equally beautiful strung on a mantle with garland. I used the natural color (which is now sold out), but the brown color is really pretty as well. In fact, I may have to snag some to add to the garland I strung on our living room fireplace.
Last week I shared one small piece of this project- the dry bar replacing the old built-in desk. Today I wanted to show you how that decision fits into the bigger picture.
The existing space had great bones, but our clients weren’t feeling the palette anymore. Bright white cabinetry, cool gray finishes, and a collection of individual elements that didn’t really relate to one another. Our goal was to give it more warmth, more character, and a stronger sense of identity.
One of my favorite additions is the breakfast nook. Rather than filling the corner with another standard table and chairs, we’re designing a built-in banquette that feels intentional and inviting.
Throughout the kitchen, we’re layering in richer materials, softer tones, and moments of contrast that make the room feel collected instead of builder-basic.
The goal is for everything (from the cabinetry to the breakfast nook to the new dry bar) to feel like it belongs together rather than feeling like separate updates.
A good renovation shouldn’t feel like you replaced everything. It should feel like you uncovered the version of the home that was always meant to be there. I can’t wait to watch Meadowridge Revival come to life!!
Seems crazy for me to say this because I love summer... but I think I’m starting to crave fall.🤎
The sweaters, a fire going, slower mornings, being a little more cocooned at home. Maybe that’s what has me thinking about how much the smallest things in a home can change the way a day feels.
Not the big renovation decisions. The mug you always reach for. A lamp that makes the room feel extra ozy at night. The old chair in the corner that somehow gets better every time someone sits in it..
None of it has to be important (or expensive) to make everyday life feel a little more special. I think you just have to notice what does.
Videography: @bozemanmediadesign
But before I get ahead of myself... are we ready for fall yet?
I can usually tell within the first few minutes of meeting someone what kind of client they’re going to be. Not because of their style. Not because of the size of their house. It’s in the way they talk about their home. Sometimes they’ll apologize for it before we even walk in. “I know it’s kind of all over the place,” or, “We’ve lived with this for years.” And almost every time, I find myself thinking the same thing: Your home isn’t the problem. It’s just waiting for someone to make a few confident decisions.
I think people assume interior design is about having better taste than everyone else. It isn’t. It’s pattern recognition. After twenty years of walking through homes, I don’t see a room the same way most people do anymore. I’m noticing what your eye keeps getting stuck on. Where the proportions feel off. Why one side of the room feels heavier than the other. Which thing is quietly throwing everything else out of balance.
Those aren’t things most homeowners should have to know. That’s what we’re here for. And honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of this job. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out or don’t know where to start with your project... message me, I’d love to chat!
A week later, I’m still thinking about why these five ideas stood out to me in the first place. Not because they feel especially “trendy.” Actually, the opposite. Each one feels like a small return to something homes have always needed: softness, character, usefulness, and a little less perfection.
After designing homes for more than two decades, I’ve realized I’m much less interested in what’s new than I am in what still feels good years later. The best ideas usually aren’t loud. They’re the ones that add another layer and make a home feel more personal over time.
I shared the full Design Board Pinnings edit last week on Between The Layers (link in bio), including how I’d use each idea, where I’d source it, and the pieces I’d actually choose.
I always say the best rooms aren’t the ones that feel perfect-they’re the ones that make you want to stay awhile.
This room has become exactly that. Morning coffee, evening happy hour, football games, reading, hanging with family... it’s already getting lived in the way we hoped it would.
Comment ‘EDIT’ and we’ll send it straight to your inbox when it goes live this evening.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between something that’s simply trending... and something that actually changes the way a home feels. This month I keep coming back to vintage textiles over oversized artwork.
Bathrooms that feel more like living rooms than bathrooms. Why I think plug-in sconces are one of the most underrated design tricks. Cherry red (in the smallest doses❤️). And why I’ll almost always tell a client to invest in a beautiful faucet before a trendy finish somewhere else.
These are the conversations we’ve been having in the studio. The screenshots I’ve been saving. The products sitting in my cart. The little ideas that slowly find their way into client projects and eventually into our own home.
I’ll dive much deeper into all of it in today’s edition of Between the Layers, along with my favorite sources, products, and the “why” behind each one.
Clouz Houz Tip: One of the easiest things you can do to make your home feel festive is use cut fresh greenery. Mix it in with faux stems for arrangements all around the house. This helps the faux look more real, AND you don’t have to worry about the entire arrangement drying out and looking horrible by Christmas!
