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.
Running a small business can sometimes feel like you’re talking into a dark hole. You pour so much into creating, sharing, photographing, writing—and you never really know who’s on the other side of the screen. But honestly? This community has reminded me how much good exists on the internet.
Since moving from Oregon to Tennessee, I’ve missed the friendships and familiar faces we left behind. At the same time, I’ve been so grateful for the people we’ve met here-and even for the ones we’ve only met through this little corner of Instagram. You’ve shared recommendations, encouraged our work, welcomed us into a new city, and made this business feel a whole lot less lonely.
So I’d love to turn this into one giant recommendation list! Show each other some love and support!
Tag a few accounts you’re loving lately. Big or small. A creator. A business. A designer. A photographer. A local shop. Someone who inspires you or simply deserves way more people cheering them on.
This room is a little different than the rest of our home, and honestly... that’s what I love about it. One of my design philosophies has always been knowing where to save and where to splurge. Not every room needs the same investment, especially when you understand how it’s going to be used.
This is our family den. It’s where we unwind at the end of the day, watch a movie, read a book, or curl up with the dogs. When we’re entertaining, everyone naturally gathers in the kitchen, dining room, or living room, so I gave myself permission to be a little more creative here. That meant mixing old with new, incorporating a few vintage finds, and investing in the pieces that would have the biggest impact. It was less about buying everything new and more about creating the feeling I wanted. The room isn’t finished yet (are they ever?), but it’s already become one of our favorite places to land at the end of the day.
I can’t wait to show you Part 2 and walk through some of the other decisions that brought this room together. It’s full of personality, and I think those details are what make it feel like us.
For those of you who are new around here and want to get to know a little more about Clouz Houz (and me), consider this the rapid-fire version.
I’m Allison-the principal designer/owner behind Clouz Houz. These answers are a pretty honest glimpse into how I approach design, what I believe makes a home feel good, and the little things I think matter most.
At the end of the day, every project is different, but my philosophy is always the same: create homes that are meant to be lived in, not just looked at.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Which answer resonated most? Or better yet... what’s a design opinion you’ll defend forever? Leave it in the comments!
One thing I’ve noticed after years of renovating homes (both my own and my clients’) is that decision fatigue is real.
It sneaks up on you. At the beginning, every decision feels exciting. You spend hours researching, saving inspiration, imagining how it’s all going to come together. Then somewhere along the way, your brain quietly starts asking... “Can someone else just tell me what’s right?”
I don’t think that’s because people aren’t capable of making good decisions. I think it’s because no one is meant to carry hundreds of important ones all at once. That’s why I’ve become such a believer in meeting people where they are.
Some projects need a few hours of guidance. Others need a complete design plan. Neither is better. They’re just different levels of support during different seasons of a renovation.
This project reminded me why we created both.
The full story (and how one room unexpectedly became two is on Between the Layers. I also shared the entire bathroom presentation and all of the materials we selected if you’re curious to see where we landed.
One of my favorite parts of our renovation lately has been watching this hallway finally come together. It was one of the first spaces that I started dreaming up when we initially toured the house.
This hallway is wide. It’s also the very first thing you look down when you walk through our front door, so it felt important to get it right. I didn’t want it to feel like this long, empty corridor that you just hurry through. Instead, we wanted it to feel like an extension of the rest of the house.
One thing I always think about is giving your eye somewhere to land. If you have a long hallway, don’t leave it completely bare. Whether it’s a gallery wall, a console table, a runner, or even a lamp at the end, adding a focal point helps the space feel inviting instead of just functional.
It’s not quite there yet, but it’s finally starting to feel like the vision we had from the very beginning. And honestly, it’s one of those spaces that makes the whole house feel more complete.
I’m convinced dining rooms don’t get enough love. Everyone talks about kitchens, but I think dining rooms are where some of the best memories happen. Long dinners that turn into game night, holiday meals, catching up with friends over a bottle of wine.... they’re meant to be lived in!!
This room has definitely evolved more slowly than I expected (and yes, there were a lot of opinions over pink paint colors ), but I’m actually glad we didn’t rush it.
One thing about me: I don’t need to have every decision made on day one. I’d rather collect pieces I really love than force a room to feel “finished.” That’s how our homes end up with personality.
A little BTS of how this room has come together so far. Many more layers are still to come. God knows I’m not done adding little touches and moving things around until it all settles and feels just right to me!
Anyone else have a room that’s 90% done... and somehow still only feels 50% done??
We’re diving into more specifics tonight on Between The Layers. See you there!
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!
