Decorating for the Holidays: Tips from Knilans' Interior Designers
The holidays have officially arrived, and with Thanksgiving over, Christmas decorations are finally an uncontroversial addition to your home. Winter holidays are an opportunity to add new touches to your space that help you celebrate the season. For many, this time of year is steeped in tradition - but it’s also a chance to innovate and try something new or unexpected. Either way, the Knilans’ design team is here to help you bring the holidays to your home!
Lights
What would the holiday season be without twinkling lights, candles, and warm fires? Celebrate this winter by bringing light into your home! Joan makes her existing chandelier festive with some holiday florals.Lori’s outdoor lights are a great example of elegant, festive lighting. They highlight some of the home’s architecture and lend a festive air, without blinding the neighbors. And Joan uses a favorite design trick by hanging a lighted wreath on a mirror - reflecting even more light into her home!
Texture
We talked a lot about texture in our Fall Decorating blog post, and holiday decorating is no different! Nicole’s tree keeps things interesting with pine cones, fabric bows, and a plaid tree skirt. Because of the limited color palette, the tree still looks and feels harmonious, even with so many different elements. Lori’s mantle is another great example of texture at work. Different types of greenery and pheasant feathers come together for a look that’s effortlessly simple and undeniably polished.
Traditional Elements
The winter holidays bring traditions for almost every family, and those can and should be reflected in your home! Even if you travel for the holidays, keeping that sense of family history present is a great way to celebrate the season. It doesn’t get much more traditional than Judy’s stunning Christmas village, displayed across various areas of the house with snow and lights. Lori’s centerpiece takes traditional winter imagery - pine boughs, pine cones, antlers, red candles - and brings them all together. Nicole spreads classic Christmas elements like red plaid, reindeer, and trees, across the table with a personal touch for each guest.
Unexpected Touches
Traditions are wonderful, but don’t hesitate to try something new this winter! Mary Ellen’s white tree is a great example of a more modern take on Christmas that’s still elegant and stunning. But unexpected touches don’t need to stray from tradition completely. If your home doesn’t have a fireplace, a banister, like Joan’s, is a great place to display stockings. The traditional imagery of a sugarplum fairy can come out in specialty pieces, like Mary Ellen’s throw pillows. And lend your sense of design to the snacks, as well as the decor - Nicole has some great ideas for displaying treats during holiday parties!
However you celebrate this winter, do it in style with these great tips. Keep light and texture in mind as you decorate around the house - how can you integrate these ideas into your home, on a mantle, table, sideboard, or entryway? Balance cherished traditions with new innovations for a holiday season that’s sure to stun.
Warmest holiday wishes from the Knilans’ design team!