Tips for Creating a Harmonious Home for the Holidays

1. Respect the established color palette in the room - holiday decor does not have to be traditional red and green, and shouldn’t be if it is going to clash in your space. Select holiday decor that complements your existing palette. 

2. Keep things cohesive and elevated by honoring the room’s style. Layer patterns at different scales, mix textures, and work within complementary hues. This creates depth while maintaining harmony.

3. Less is always more - establish a focal point or two in the room. (Limit it to one if your room is small.) When styling a space, I like to stand back and edit. Use your camera to take a photo of the room and analyze it. Remove anything that distracts from the main event. You want your eyes to glide around the room and then settle on your pièce de résistance. 

Here, a stunning floral arrangement in festive hues by the uber-talented crew at Papillion Floral in Windsor is really all the space needed to add a touch of holiday cheer. 

4. Add personal touches throughout - layering in special pieces that your family has handed down makes your home special and the holidays more meaningful. 

   
   

   

   
   

   One of my greatest treasures is a decoration handmade by my grandmother, with my great-aunt featured in the painting. Visions of Sugar Plums was hand-carved from soap and depicts a sister and brother asleep on Christmas Eve, dreaming of sugar plums—represented by delicate pearls suspended above them. Nestled inside a silk-covered egg and adorned with lace and pearls, it was cradled in a glass apothecary jar.

   
   

   When I was young, I never recognized my grandmother as a Maker. She was simply a woman of many talents. But carving something so exquisite out of a simple bar of soap? That kind of artistry takes patience, imagination, and countless quiet hours. Today, this piece is a treasure revered by another generation—a reminder of the Maker's power.

   
   

   As Mahatma Gandhi wisely said: “In the midst of darkness, light persists.” 

   
   

   Cheers to the Makers who continue to be the light when everything else feels chaotic. The world is undeniably better with you in it.

5. Lastly, don’t strive for perfection - it is a futile exercise! Beauty and wonder lie in the imperfections. No one will remember how perfect the tree was or your beautiful tablescape years later, but they will remember being together and sharing the joy of the holidays. 

   
   

   Keeping it real: as a designer, I’ve learned to compromise in my own home. While macaroni ornaments no longer get shoved to the back of the tree, a few delightfully cartoony ornaments still make an appearance—because my children insist. Each one sparks stories of Christmases past, and watching them unwrap those ornaments with excitement year after year is what the holidays are truly about.

   
   

   Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and a peaceful New Year filled with joy, light, and prosperity. ✨