The holidays might be the most wonderful time of the year, but they are also one of the busiest, meaning that decorating often becomes a frenzied chore left until the last minute. To ease the stress, we called in reinforcements—local design wizards Marsha Hunt and Bridget Connell of Haute Flower Boutique, Katie Bassett of KBI Design Studios and Lynn Anderson of Romens @ The Find in Eden Prairie, to explain this season’s biggest and brightest trends. Read their take on decking the halls and reimagining holiday decorating with a personal touch.
Fit to Be Tied
Ribbons and bows have always been standard fare for the holiday season, but this time forgo the traditional red and green for an updated color palette. “What we love about jewel tones is that it can elevate the traditional throw or ribbon to an entirely different level,” says Hunt. A simple detail, such as a napkin tied with a ribbon, becomes a show-stopping focal point with a couture ribbon in a chartreuse velvet anchored by an heirloom brooch.
Look for ribbons in sumptuous materials like brocade and embroidered silk, and in rich jewel tones, which pop against holiday’s dark evergreens. Simply loop the ribbon and fasten in the center with a button to create a silk tassel to adorn your Christmas tree, wreath or mantel.
Brighten Up
Add a little sunshine to the holidays with one of the freshest colors of the season—saffron yellow. Though the color is guaranteed to pop, it also goes well with nearly any other holiday color, says Bassett. “The easiest way to change the look of your tree is to change your ornaments and bring in new colors,” she says. And if you’re not ready to commit permanently, bold yellow flowers—such as roses, orchids and Billy balls—are an easy way to test the waters.
Touch of Mink
During a notoriously hectic time of the year, small pieces with a big impact are a no-brainer. “One of the biggest trends in fashion right now is faux fur and that extends to home too,” says Connell. “In little touches here and there, it’s lush and impactful.” Trim Christmas stockings and tree skirts in a chestnut fur, or toss a mink throw over the arm of a sofa. “A lot of people have a neutral palette in their home, so this is a way to luxuriate neutrals,” says Hunt. As with any tricky trend, layering is key, and Hunt recommends combining the rich shades with doses of gold and platinum for an elegant look.
Silver Bells
Not all decorating trends are fit for every home, but liquid silver in any incarnation scores across the board. “Mercury glass is still our favorite material to travel seamlessly from contemporary to traditional interiors,” says Connell. “It has a holiday element but it’s also a sleek color tone.” Arrange a collection of mismatched jars along a mantel or bring light to a gathering space with silver apothecary jars and candle votives.
According to Bassett, mixing in a lighter color is essential for holiday décor. “It’s important to lighten up your look,” she says. “The other elements won’t show up if you don’t have a little white to pop.”
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Tradition is an integral part of any holiday decorating, but to keep the look fresh, try a unique twist on an old standby—the wreath—by skipping the door and hanging it over a large mirror. “A wreath is such a stunning focal point for a home,” says Connell. “What better place to put it than over a mirror above a fireplace or console table?”
The trick to wreaths, Connell says, is to create layers with texture, fruits, ribbons, ornaments, and color—take a cue from classic red lipstick shades for an extra pop. When hanging the wreath, add another element by adding a couture bow. “You get so much more visual impact by extending the design up through the rest of the mirror,” says Hunt.
Walk on the Wild Side
It may be difficult to treat an animal print as a neutral, but after years in the spotlight, the loud print is learning to play nice as an accent to other colors. “Holidays, like your home, should be really fun,” says Connell. “This is an easy way to have fun in your house and show personality.” To nail this trend, find the right colors for your home and execute the print in small doses. In a contemporary home with light colors, try a pale leopard print next to a pop of bright color; in a more traditional home, mix copper and red with a cheetah-print ribbon. “A little bit of animal ribbon can add a fun, updated look without committing,” says Anderson.
