I love to decorate our home for Christmas the weekend before Thanksgiving. Putting the tree up on a day dedicated to gratitude feels like the perfect start to the holiday season. My mind has been on holiday decorating for quite some time, though, thanks to an early photo shoot we hosted back in September. My personal approach to Christmas decor ideas usually mirrors my everyday style: moody, modern, traditional, and always with an unexpected element (my team calls this “the Julia twist”).
This year is no exception. After last year’s big, bold look (all those ribbons!) and the previous year where I incorporated a lot of kitschy details, I’m craving a more pared-back, sophisticated holiday decor aesthetic. I’m focusing on impactful touches that feel extraordinary and festive, while still keeping our home completely livable. We made a lot of really big changes in our home this year, and I’m excited to let the whole house shine as the backdrop to these traditional, refined holiday touches.
A couple months ago, I introduced a rising design trend I noticed myself leaning into and called it “Polished Heritage“. A moody revival that’s all about mixing the confident decadence of the past with clean-lined modern, masculine tailored details. It’s the masculine details of Ralph Lauren style mixed with the delicate nostalgia and lightness of your mom’s china cabinet. And I have a feeling the holidays are going to feel extra special and nostalgic this year because of it.
Trimming the Tree with a Clear and Silver Theme
If you’ve been following for awhile, you may remember I’ve gone from a tinsel tree a couple of years ago to an all-in-on-the-ribbons look last year. This year, I’m feeling a clear glass and polished silver theme. I’ve ordered lots of glass ornaments and acrylic icicles, and I hope to have my tree dripping in them. This feels like a natural evolution from the tinsel, making the look a bit more elegant.
I’m also really into adding faux candles to the tree, which creates a magical, nostalgic feel. To add a touch of drama, I’ll be bringing in some dark velvet bows from last year’s collection and the same velvet chocolate globes. I’ve also been collecting small silver bells to scatter throughout the tree.
And for anyone who thinks you have to choose between metals, you don’t! While I’ve usually gone all gold in the past, I’m definitely bringing in silver this year and keeping my gold elements, too. It’s a great way to make a space feel more collected and lived-in.
Beyond the Tree: Ribbons and Greenery
I’m not someone who buys ALL NEW decor every holiday season. But swapping out your ribbon color, and your candle taper color–it will change the entire look. A friend recently asked me what color ribbon I’m getting this year (she’s caught on to my ways). I love to play with tonal or complementary colors to create a rich, layered look. Last year, I went with a bright poppy red, but this year, I’m leaning toward a deep merlot and bright olive green. I think the color pairing freshens up the expected pine green and dark red. The fresh olive makes it feel modern, especially paired with silver.
I’m also really into mixing textures, so I’ll be pairing velvet and silk ribbons in the same color. And bringing in rich and luxurious faux fur blankets–I just got a chocolate brown one that’s incredible. There’s something so beautiful about layering silky satin with textured velvet, shiny metal, soft fur and worn leather. I bet you can almost smell it. Add in lots of tabletop family photos (framing past cards is such a sweet idea this time of year), and lamps and candles everywhere and the holidays will take care of themselves.
Beyond the tree and ribbons, I’m thinking about skipping from a traditional big garland on the mantel this year (our staircase will still be getting the grand treatment of course) and leaning into a collected mantel with leaning art and mirrors, and candle sticks. A vintage pewter pitcher with pine stems on the mantel and scattered bells in the entryway. This is a great way to bring in holiday elements without it feeling like greenery is draped on everything.
Even though my kitsch might not be making an appearance this year, that doesn’t mean I won’t feel like displaying my reindeer mugs on the shelves in future years.
I already purchased an array of wrapping paper that is tartan and tonally striped and a damask might have snuck in. I’m pulling out some hand towels that lean into my color scheme this year (even if they aren’t strictly holiday) for the kitchen and bathrooms and looking forward to pulling out all my favorite scented candles that will be noticed before anything, I’m sure.
Looking forward to the most nostalgic feeling Christmas yet. What’s inspiring you for the holidays?
Shop CLJ-Approved Holiday Decor:
As someone who admires your decorating style, I love reading your blogs & seeing your posts about what YOU’RE doing for the upcoming season. I’m so excited to see that I was gathering some of the same elements as you for this upcoming Christmas season. I absolutely love everything you’re picking to really bring that elegance this year for Christmas.
Please can I have the paint color in your green office? The green, shiny shelving. Thank you. 😊
It’s a high-gloss sheen of Benjamin Moore Top Soil!
Good
What company is the tree in your living room from? And size and style, looks perfect size. Thank you so much.
We got it from Balsam Hill here.
Christmas decorating talk, yes! I’m ready for it all. I always anticipate seeing your home decorated for Christmas. Such inspiration. Remember before youtube or instagram was big and bloggers joined a Holiday House Tour and every day a few bloggers would release their tours and then “send” us to the next house. I wonder if that happens anymore.
Happy Pre-Holidays!