There’s no wrong answer in the great white-versus-colored-lights debate, but ALDI’s new multicolored Icicle String Lights are making a very compelling case for Team Color.

The Belavi design strings 300 cool-touch LEDs in blues, yellows, reds, and greens, cascading with the same poised drape as the icicles they reference – a balance between Hallmark-era cinematography and the polish of a contemporary Christmas tree LED. Might this be the colorful string light that finally converts the white-light purists?

It’s entirely possible. A lone strand of color can skew a little… earnest. But these ALDI lights can link up to 15 sets end-to-end. In theory, that’s 4,500 tiny points of color to drape across the tree, the Christmas mantel (ideally with a mirror to bounce the glow), and every orphaned corner gasping for charm. Here, more really is merrier.

What really sells these lights, though, is how seamlessly they support the other kitschy Christmas trends taking over this season – the felted ski bunnies, the half-opened caviar-tin ornaments, the knit pillows that look pilfered from someone’s family winter house. Colorful lights act as connective tissue, shifting a room from a broadly ‘tasteful 2025 Christmas’ to something closer to Home Alone (1990), or better yet, to whatever childhood holiday still lives in your mental Christmas B-roll.

ALDI isn’t the only one pushing the pendulum. Plenty of brands seem over the too-cool-for-school Christmas. Call it crafty, call it cozy – either way, color’s back on the tree.

Shop Multicolored Christmas Lights

Multicolored Christmas lights bring a soft, storybook glow to mantels, trees, stair rails, and anywhere else calling out for chroma. I rounded up the best strands to jog the nostalgia and maybe even tempt the white-light diehards.

ALDI is already behind some of this season’s best Christmas decorating ideas, so styling your new colorful LEDs is almost too easy. Try draping them alongside the retailer’s wooden beaded garland to double down on the charm.

The interior designer's holiday collection at McGee & Co. is complete with loads of Christmas decor ideas that nail the timeless Christmas decor aesthetic with ease – from decorative brass ornaments and charmingly printed stockings to tabletop trinkets that elegantly ring in the spirit of the season. These are the kind of holiday decorations that you'll want to keep for Christmases to come – timeless pieces that'll become family heirlooms to unpack and hang up year after year.

Right now, McGee & Co. is running a 50% off sale on all holiday decor for Black Friday. That takes many of the pieces in the collection down to under $50, under $10 for some ornaments, so if, like me, you like to keep things classic at Christmas, now is the time to stock up.

Shop Christmas Decor From McGee & Co

If you're eager to find timeless holiday decor must-haves to keep in your Christmas collection for years to come, I've rounded up an assortment of the best finds from McGee & Co. – all of which are on sale right now. That said, if there's one thing I know about Shea's decor from McGee & Co. (especially the affordable Christmas finds), it's that they won't be in stock for long. So don't wait. Find your forever decorations below.

Shea McGee's 50% sale at McGee & Co. is just the start – come next week, almost every homewares brand you can think of will be holding their very own Black Friday sales. To stay up to date with what's new to sale, check out our Black Friday home deals so you don't miss out on the best savings of the year.

When it comes to Christmas table decor, I never hold back – for me, it’s all about layers of colour, texture, and personality. Tablescaping has become a highlight of hosting for so many, and this year I’ve completely fallen for the Anthropologie entertaining collection, which perfectly blends whimsy and elegance for a show-stopping festive feast. Whether your vibe is cosy, glamorous, or delightfully over-the-top, the right pieces can completely transform the mood.

With hosting duties officially underway and a maximalist brief I’m fully committed to, here’s everything I’m shopping to create the ultimate Christmas table – and all the pieces I think you’ll want on yours too.

Even better, the Anthropologie Black Friday sale has just kicked off, meaning many of these standout pieces are now reduced – a rare chance to snap up whimsical serveware, luxe napkin rings, and statement tableware at a fraction of the usual price.

I like to mix old family favourites with new discoveries, layering tartan, festive linens, and quirky serveware so that every place feels personal and full of character. It should feel inviting rather than overly styled – a table that encourages laughter, conversation, and maybe even the occasional spill.

When it comes to choosing pieces for your Christmas table, my advice is simple: don’t buy something just because it’s trending. Equally, you don’t have to stick solely to boring 'timeless' items – the key is to select pieces that genuinely spark joy. I’m drawn to items that make me smile every time I see them, whether it’s a playful pattern, a splash of colour, or a whimsical detail. After all, a table that brings delight is far more memorable than one that simply follows the rules.

The Pieces I’m Using to Build the Ultimate Christmas Table

Beyond the table itself, I’ve found that it’s the little finishing touches around the room that truly make the difference. Christmas decorating isn’t just about matching colours or sticking to a theme – it’s about creating moments of surprise and delight. A carefully placed candle, a quirky ornament on a sideboard, or a small festive vignette on a windowsill can transform the space and instantly make your home feel more magical.

And remember, the most memorable celebrations aren’t about perfection – they’re about crafting a space that reflects your personality and makes guests feel truly welcome. Whether you’re layering textures, blending heirlooms with new finds, or experimenting with unexpected pops of colour, let your creativity take the lead. When it comes to Christmas decorating, trust your instincts and embrace whatever brings you joy.

It’s certainly the approach she took when rescuing this maisonette from crumbling ruin. First working out the spatial planning and functionality, Orla then layered color and texture into multipurpose spaces to really suit how the family, a couple with two children, likes to live.

While imbued with brilliant proportions and high ceilings (even on the lower ground floor), the actual footprint of the house design across the two stories of this west London garden square apartment wasn’t large.

‘When it was bought, it was a total shambles,’ says Orla of peeling wallpaper, bathroom hardware falling away from the walls, and curtains torn and shredded. There were oddities too, like the ‘enormous staircase at the end of the hallway that gave the apartment a sense of grandeur – yet ironically only goes up to the smallest of rooms, a compact study which used to be the only bathroom in the home,’ says Orla.

She diligently carved out three double bedrooms with bathrooms, large kitchen and living spaces, as well as a utility room, cellar, and bike store, ensuring there were areas where the family could be both apart and together, and where nothing feels too precious. ‘Each room doesn’t feel too personal to anyone in particular, but each one has a special appeal and character,’ says Orla.

The team rewired and replumbed before repainting, reupholstering, and recycling old and vintage pieces. The designer focused on using ‘natural, warm materials – walnut, oak, stone, wool, and linen – and cosseting hues, such as creamy taupe, tobacco, forest green, and dusty pink.’

Working against this earthy neutral base allowed everything else – ‘paintings, heirlooms, lacquered pieces, clever finds from eBay’ – to sing, explains Orla. Certain elements were worth the splurge – for example, the wildly patterned quartzite used for the kitchen countertop and splashback, and the burr walnut lining the kitchen cabinets – while savings were made by using a mix of affordable tiles in different shapes and patterns in the bathrooms, and working with joiner Ed Keyser to cost-effectively customize shelving.

Central to the scheme was creating a knockout kitchen. ‘The clients are both madly into cooking and hosting, so it needed to be convivial but chic, classic but not too fussy, bold and robust,’ Orla recalls. ‘But equally I didn’t want it to feel like a standard kitchen in any form.’

Previously the living room, with another smaller space attached, they knocked through to join the two rooms together, meaning ‘the kids can play and have their friends over, watch TV, get cozy, but they can all be connected directly – and in between the two spaces we created a really cool bar.’

While the upstairs drawing room, laterally spacious and filled with abundant light, is ideal for cocktails and conversation, the lower ground floor – previously a mess of breeze-block walls and no functioning, livable rooms – is now ‘a little wonderland,’ says Orla. Here, the former kitchen is now the kids’ bedroom; plumbing was dug in for the three bathrooms and utility room; the hallway was lined with storage for all the kids’ toys; and two further bedrooms were created.

Art brings a zing to every room. Luckily, the clients had a great collection of art and antiques from their previous home. ‘We’ve blended art that was inherited, some of it grand, some of it not, as well as what they’ve collected over time,’ says Orla. ‘That eclectic balance gives the house energy.’

That liveliness extends to how the family entertains, especially at Christmas, when the fragrance of frankincense, cinnamon, panettone, and bitterballen (a moreish deep-fried beef croquette, a nod to the wife’s Dutch heritage) fills the air. Candles scented with fir, citrus, and chestnut burn brightly, bowls overflow with nuts and clementines, music booms from the record player, cocktails are being shaken, and fairy lights twinkle in every room. ‘It’s very, very festive, and everyone feels welcome,’ says Orla.

Because Christmas decor shows up in such a tight, highly scrutinized window, it’s one of the clearest barometers of how the design world has shifted year over year. The pom-pom treescape that felt magical in 2023 might feel unbelievably tired in 2025. And if that fish motif or scalloped detail wouldn’t fly in your space mid-July, designers argue it has no business being resurrected – even in its most ‘fest-ified’ form – come December.

From where craft crosses into kitsch, to which lighting styles are now a definitive ‘no,’ Homes & Gardens asked designers which Christmas decor trends are officially out for 2025 – so your holiday home shines as brightly as your hosting calendar demands.

1. Cold Minimalism

Words like ‘cool’ and ‘calculated’ aren’t exactly what we associate with Christmas, yet designers say we’ve leaned a bit too hard into both lately. That perfectly pared-back look – once shorthand for taste (remember the monochromatic beige Kardashian Christmases?) – now reads a little flat, even generic. It can signal that everything came from the same big-box store… or from an influencer a season behind.

‘I think people are craving a sense of tradition right now,’ notes Preston Lane founder Preston Konrad. ‘After years of minimalism, clean modern design, and Scandi-themed holiday decor, there is a return to maximalist style and what some would call the ‘old money’ aesthetic. While so fun, I would also avoid anything too kitschy…like Elf on the Shelf, sparkles, or tinsel.’

Instead, blend eras, materials, and provenance. ‘Look for vintage finds and browse local shops for pieces that have character,’ advises Denver-based interior designer Laura Medicus. ‘Mix these in with your DIY creations and family heirlooms to give your home a classic, home-for-the-holidays look that’s unique to you and your family.’

Preston takes a similar approach, suggesting that emotional texture matters more than aesthetic purity. Think ‘Roaring fireplaces, tartan blankets, classic Christmas jazz music, polished silver, mahogany wood, etc,’ he says – details that ‘feel like a country estate during the holidays.’ ‘The goal is to create spaces that feel lived-in, welcoming, and magical without being overdone,’ which is why treating your holiday setup as a kind of lifestyle tableau – say, styling a lacquered burl-wood game box alongside a tartan runner – is what ultimately completes this 'real' holiday feel.

2. Red-and-Green Only

Red and green isn't going extinct – not if revival aesthetics like 'Ralph Lauren Christmas' can help it – but the old rule of committing exclusively to that palette is feeling increasingly forced. Unless you own a lifetime supply of heirloom tartan, North Carolina-based interior designer Grey Joyner says shoehorning the classic colors into every corner reads a little try-hard.

‘People are decorating with colors beyond just the traditional red and green,’ she says. ‘Rather than adapt a space to fit that traditional red and green color palette, we’re seeing people using colors that are already in these spaces: like bold blues, deep navies, teals, lush pinks, and rich eggplants.’

And really, buying an entirely new Christmas color scheme for one month of the year makes little sense (or cents). ‘We appreciate the practicality and cost-effectiveness of this as well because using colors that are already represented in a space means that you won’t feel compelled to purchase tons of extra ‘stuff’ to make the traditional holiday colors work,’ Grey adds. ‘In a season that is already tough on people’s budgets, we like to see a trend that encourages the opposite.’

Her advice is to let your room lead. ‘If you have a space heavy in jewel tones like eggplant, sapphire, and emerald, simply duplicate those colors in your holiday decor and add bits of shine or sparkle with a metal that you also already have in the room,’ she explains. Apply this logic to everything – ribbons, candles, ornaments, garland – and suddenly your holiday palette reads like an extension of your home’s existing story.

3. Colorful Christmas Tree Lights

'For me, the holiday trends that have lost their luster are the overly artificial elements,’ says Helena Clunies-Ross, founder of Helena Clunies-Ross Design. And at the top of her ‘no, thank you’ list are bright, multicolored Christmas lights.

‘They tend to overwhelm rather than enhance, creating a visual noise that distracts from the natural beauty of the tree itself,’ she explains. ‘Likewise, aggressively bright or color-changing lights can strip a space of warmth and atmosphere.’

Her advice is to keep it simple. ‘I recommend using warm, small LED lights and tucking them deep into the branches so the tree glows from within, without any visible wires. The effect is softer, more atmospheric, and allows the tree’s natural shape to shine.’

But if you simply must hold onto color (and fair – it’s one of traditional Christmas’s last true pleasures), Helena suggests approaching it with a little discipline. Stick to a refined tonal palette of one to two tones max, 'to let the green of the tree remain the hero.’

4. Tinsel

Preston Konrad mentioned it briefly, but it’s worth underscoring – several designers agree it’s time for tinsel to retire. Among them is Luxury London–based interior designer Katharine Pooley, who says it best: ‘Tinsel has most certainly lost its shine.’

‘It feels rather nostalgic, reminiscent of the 1980s, and best left in the past,’ Katharine adds. And while design trends are cyclical, she notes that, for now, tinsel ‘lacks the sophistication of today’s interior demand.' Instead, reach for decorations that actually elevate a room. Katharine advises opting for natural or artisanal materials: ‘Felt, glass, and beautifully carved wood are all exquisite choices.’

And for anyone not looking to splurge on tinsel replacements – or who still has a hankering for sparkle – designer Grey Joyner says to start with what’s free.

‘Not everything needs to be ‘bought,’’ she says. ‘Don’t sleep on using things you can find right in your own backyard. I spray painted real magnolia leaves with silver and gold spray paint to add to our fireplace garland and on our tree, and it looked miles better than store-bought and cost significantly less,’ delivering sparkle without the cheap shine.

5. Lack Of Personality

Who lives here? That’s the question designers say your holiday decor should be able to answer. In recent years, anything personal – mismatched ornaments, embroidered stockings, framed family photos – was banished in favor of a ‘clean,’ hyper-curated Christmas. But the tide has turned, and a holiday living room rooted in anonymity is the real faux pas now.

‘I believe we’re shifting towards more natural, authentic-looking Christmas trees, moving away from overly curated and perfect setups. People are embracing sentimental ornaments over matching ensembles, creating a warmer, more genuine holiday look,’ says Shelley McIlroy, Founder & Principal of Shelley McIlroy Design.

Preston Konrad echoes the sentiment: ‘I’m excited about a movement toward more immersive holiday design that gives a lived-in vibe. It’s about creating beautiful spaces that you can live in, and to celebrate and make memories.’

Of course, there’s a balance. That heirloom, storied look only works when the rest of the scene feels varied. It’s paradoxical, but the more familiar the layers – the handmade ornaments, the passed-down baubles, the non–TikTok Shop tree toppers – the less crafty it all feels.

‘For a Christmas tree that feels effortlessly elegant and totally authentic, mix and match a variety of ornaments – especially sentimental heirlooms and handmade treasures,’ Shelley suggests. ‘Arrange them in a laid-back, slightly asymmetrical way, blending soft textures and subtle colors. Bring out the natural charm with pinecones, dried botanicals, and lush greenery, all glowing softly with gentle ambient lights.’

That macaroni star your kid made in class? Turns out it fits right in.

Still not sure where to steer your holiday style this year? According to London-based designer Katharine Pooley, the answer might not be in the home aisle at all – it might be on the high street.

‘I find great inspiration in the way luxury fashion houses interpret the season. Their beautifully conceived store windows and meticulously styled interiors often set the tone for the year’s most refined festive aesthetics. I love observing how they balance tradition with modernity, it always sparks fresh ideas for creating enchantment within the home,’ she muses.

The prices are fabulous, and the effect they have when hung up even more so. Adorning windows, hung over a fireplace, or suspended above a dining table, these lights add a cozy, inviting glow wherever you use them. There’s a homemade feel to them too – an effortlessness that’s utterly charming. This year, IKEA has also added new designs to its paper star lantern collection, with touches of red and gold and playful patterns sitting among the classic white, ticking off another key Christmas trend with these traditional colors.

As a decades-long collector of these paper stars – some I have even inherited from my parents’ Christmas decor collection – I have long loved these simple but highly effective decorations. However, getting my hands on new additions this year has been tricky, so I’ve done some digging into where to shop for alternatives if you can’t get your hands on the coveted STRÅLA stars.

I picked up my first STRÅLA star over ten years ago, and I have gradually added to the collection, so now more than 15 come down from my attic to grace almost every window in my home. They have stored so well, too, as they simply fold down and fit neatly back into the compact packaging they came in. Year after year, I bring them out, and they always look good as new.

There are a few configurations you can work with, but note that these are sold separately from the paper shades. If you want your stars to glow, IKEA has a cord set for the classic suspended look, or a white base that creates more of a traditional lamp. If you don’t want the limitation of a wire, I’ve spotted some great, really simple hacks I’ll be using myself this year, which use battery-powered, remote-controlled puck lights secured inside the paper lamp. Then you can use a ribbon to hang your lights wherever you please.

These stars shine best when grouped together. Personally, I follow the popular trend and hang mine at different heights in my windows, and I use a range of sizes. I use Command Light Clips to keep them secure, and because they’re clear plastic, you can hardly see them against the window frame.

I’ve also seen them hung effectively above a dining table to create a really magical glow. For this, you’ll likely need to use the puck light hack so your stars can hang from the ceiling without needing a plug. Hang them low over the table for a soft pool of light that’s perfect for festive hosting.

Shop Paper Star Decorations

As with any product that goes viral, the hype is high and the stock is low, so IKEA has currently limited orders to over $35 for some of the most popular designs. So, if you’re looking to get your hands on paper star decorations quickly, these are the best alternatives I found.

But when it comes to reupholstering antique furniture, which approach is the most affordable? Is it cheaper to reupholster antique furniture or buy new? If you are experienced at decorating with antiques, you will know that it's not unusual to come across furniture in need of a bit of TLC, but reupholstering can be an expensive endeavor.

So, what's the best option? Is it cheaper to buy new, and is cost a factor you should be putting above the preservation of heirloom designs? Here's what the experts have to say, and how they make the best choice.

Is it Cheaper to Reupholster Antique Furniture or Buy New?

When it comes to whether reupholstering or buying new is more affordable, there's no definitive answer. It depends on the cost of the upholstery fabric you choose and the size of the antique furniture.

Recovering an entire armchair will inevitably cost more than a seat cushion of an antique dining chair, for example, so you could be paying anything from a couple of hundred dollars right into the thousands. But more often than not, reupholstering does come at a slightly higher price point, as designers explain.

'Depending on the quality of the antique and the fabric, I find it is typically less expensive to buy new rather than reupholster,' says interior designer Shani Core, who has opted to reupholster several antique pieces in her designs.

'If I am going to take the time, expense, and effort to reupholster an antique, it must be of good quality. And then I am going to want to use a vibrant, fun, more modern fabric to bring the antique up to date, which all adds up.'

For more intricate pieces or traditional methods, you will need to source an expert in the field, which will also come at a higher cost, but a necessary one. The fabric is also a really important factor when reupholstering antique furniture. Choosing the right upholstery is key to the overall look of the piece, but also to how well it lasts and wears over time.

'The cost will vary depending on what fabric you pick,' adds Michael Glotzer, of The Hunt Vintage, which offers upholstered antiques and a reupholstery service. 'Fabric can be $10 to $200 per yard, but I tend to use high-quality fabric in the $20 per yard range. Another thing to look into is performance fabric, which is fabric that can withstand stains and is cleanable.'

How to Tell if it's Better to Reupholster and When an Antique is Beyond Repair

When considering reupholstering antique furniture, it's essential to know how to recognize when it is fixable and when something is too damaged to be repaired. If you reupholster a chair or a sofa with irreparable damage to the structure, it's going to be an expensive endeavor that inevitably ends up being a waste of time.

'I would say any skilled upholstery shop can rescue any old piece unless it is damaged by termites (a rare occurrence) or has water or fire damage. Then I would suggest replacing it with a new piece of furniture,' says Michael.

'Antique chairs with fretwork, caning, or scratching can always be repaired and brought back to life, but when the hand-carved details of a wood leg have been chewed away by a dog, they are beyond repair,' adds Shani, who explains that the structural integrity of the antique should always be considered first.

However, if the damage is purely aesthetic but can't be saved, upholstery can be used to disguise it. 'You may be able to add a skirt and change the whole look while hiding the damaged leg,' she suggests.

The value and sentimentality of antique furniture also come into play when deciding whether or not it is worth the investment to reupholster. 'You should think about whether the item you’re contemplating getting reupholstered is fundamentally a good quality piece of furniture or not,' says interior designer Benji Lewis.

'If, for example, you own an antique armchair or sofa made by Howard, then you’d be very lucky, and should absolutely consider getting it refurbished because it’s going to be an investment piece. That’s not to say it won’t cost you a bob or two, but even by looking at eBay you can see the value of a Howard piece,' he explains, noting that names such as Gillows, James Shoolbred, and George Smith should also be saved.

'After that, my take on things would be to weigh up how much you appreciate the piece you own based on sentimentality and come to a decision based on that,' he says.

Is Reupholstering Antique Furniture Worth the Investment?

While the key consideration for most of us is whether it's more affordable to reupholster antique furniture or buy a new piece, designers emphasize the importance of preserving these historical designs.

'Reupholstering may end up being comparable in cost to buying new, but you're getting something far more valuable: the ability to choose exactly the fabric you want, customize the cushion fill, and keep a well-made piece out of a landfill. I almost always vote to reupholster over new,' says Rebekah Zaveloff, co-founder and creative director of Imparfait Design Studio.

'Beyond the practical benefits of customization and quality, there's the added value of preserving a piece with history and character. You're investing in something with a story rather than contributing to disposable furniture culture,' she adds.

There's often sentiment and memories attached to furniture handed down through the generations, a feeling that simply cannot be replicated with contemporary finds. But there's also a quality of craftsmanship to antique furniture that deserves to be preserved and treasured.

'Almost anything can be fixed or restored – the frame, the springs, the structure. I have two Adrian Pearsall sofas I've reupholstered four times over 30 years, and they're still going strong,' explains Rebekah.

It's also about sustainability. If you have the means to spend a little bit more reupholstering an antique rather than buying new, you can find joy in saving and reviving, rather than sending a beautiful piece to waste. 'If you can rescue a family heirloom or save an old piece from a landfill, I’m always in support of that first,' adds Michael.

FAQs

How to Find Someone to Upholster Antique Furniture

It's not always easy to find someone who is well-versed in upholstering antiques, but designers have a few tips and tricks to help you find a local craftsman to revive your prized pieces.

1. Check the quality of the antique

'First, check the quality and make sure the piece is worthy of the time and expense it will take to reupholster. Then I always turn towards the fabric – you’ll need something to withstand the wear and tear of use,' Shani advises.

2. Enquire with local upholstery shops

'Check the work of your local upholstery shops. I would ask to see examples of their work and pay attention to the seams and the quality of their workmanship. Always turn the piece over and see how they finish the bottom! A good upholsterer will ensure the bottom is finished nicely as well,' she adds.

It's essential to ask plenty of questions – any professional will be accustomed to the questions and happy to provide full details and suggestions on the best approach for your specific antique design.

'Find a reputable upholsterer who can assess the bones of the piece and walk you through what's possible. Ask to see examples of their work, especially if your piece has any unusual details or requires structural repair. And don't be afraid to take your time selecting fabric – it's the most visible part of the investment,' says Rebekah.

3. Do plenty of research and ask to see your upholsterer's portfolio

'Research your upholsterer and ask to see their portfolio; ask also questions about how they’d set about the re-upholstery work. I’d want to know about the type of springs they’d use, for example, and what kind of stuffing would go into the new seat and back. On an antique piece, for example, you want hand-tied coil springs, so ask about this,' says Benji.

'If you’re in the position of a Howard sofa and your upholsterer says they’ll use mid-century Z springs to reseat it, then step away; this isn’t the right person for the job because they’ll kill the value of your item. A mid-century sofa, however, would be fine to have its seat resprung with the Z’s,' he explains.

4. Utilize social media

And finally, utilize social media. Many experts in the field share their services and projects online and will happily answer any questions and offer basic valuation through messages.

'Instagram is a great resource to see local upholstery work, and then I would check Google reviews as well before narrowing down and visiting the final contenders in person. Pricing may also vary greatly, so you’ll want to get 2-3 quotes before making your final decision,' Shani suggests.

What’s the Difference Between Recovering and Reupholstering?

There are different levels of restoring antique furniture, so it's important to understand the different terms and services offered and what they actually include. 'There’s a big difference between reupholstering and recovering an item,' says Benji.

Recovering essentially means replacing the fabric of an antique chair or sofa. No other repairs of the furniture are included, so if it has a wobbly leg or worn-down seat padding, it will be returned to you in the same condition, just with a lovely new fabric over it.

Reupholstery is the next level of repair, as Benji explains: 'Reupholstery really should entail repair work to a wobbly frame, re-springing the item, etc, and not just replacing the webbing and covering the piece with pretty fabric.'

The verdict? Buying new is usually cheaper than reupholstering antique furniture; however, if you have the budget to restore an heirloom piece, it's always the favored option. It's more sustainable and makes the most of the high-quality craftsmanship used to make them, something you don't see quite as often in contemporary finds.

But this year, I realized I’d been suffering from what I can only call “Christmas skirt blindness.” When I brought it down from the attic, I finally saw how tired it looked – and how much it was bringing down the overall look of my tree. So I’m swapping it for something more robust and on-trend: this woven $16.99 Christmas Tree Collar from ALDI.

With its woven hyacinth material and light, neutral color, this tree collar adds a touch of rustic yet elevated style to your Christmas tree ideas. Like a sleek vase for a fresh bouquet, it provides a stylish foundation upon which the tree, its lights, and its decorations can shine. Its natural weave complements the fresh elegance of the tree perfectly – giving the whole display a cohesive, sophisticated finish.

This season's Christmas trends are guiding us towards effortlessly elegant decor displays with natural charm – just like the cozy and inviting aesthetic of the Little Women Christmas trend – and woven tree collars can easily help achieve that look. Their natural weave invites a level of charming, textural appeal that flat tree skirts can't replicate.

Looks aside, woven tree collars serve a practical purpose, too – they conveniently conceal the base of a tree. Most variations are tall enough to hide the tree stand and water reservoir for a real Christmas tree – or, for an artificial tree, they can hide support legs much better than traditional skirts. Woven tree collars won’t wrinkle or get pushed out of position like tree skirts either. Instead, they stay sturdy in place, giving your tree a stylish spot to stand tall in any room of your home.

A tree collar might not be the first thing you add to your tree, but it’s the finishing touch – without which the base of the tree looks bare and unfinished. I’m of the opinion that no tree should go without one.

Shop Woven Tree Collars

If you can't get to an ALDI to shop its Weekly Specials, I have rounded up all my favorite alternatives to create that same rustic look that is both natural-looking and elevating.

As for the tree itself, ALDI happens to have loads of accessories that can adorn your tree with elegance for an unbeatable price – including this wooden beaded garland strand that can tastefully complement your tree's evergreen branches.

But alas, I live in New York, where I can’t spare the square footage for a glorified Christmas tree lot, let alone afford the visual obstruction of tall, needle-heavy branches. A full-sized tree was out of the cards – or so I thought.

That was before I stumbled across a barely-there Christmas tree on Zara Home – ever the arbiter of what’s cool and what’s trending – and then, suddenly, everywhere else, from enchanting offerings by indie Etsy sellers to Pottery Barn, a retailer typically impervious to micro-Christmas trends (which I’m taking as an omen to invest).

Some take the form of birch trees, others like weeping willows (arguably the chicest tree in existence). A few assume the silhouette of a traditional fir, just stripped back and needle-free, keeping small spaces feeling open and airy.

But perhaps my favorite part is effortless they are. Each of these slender trees comes pre-strung with LED lights, eliminating the need for ornaments, garlands, or tangled strings of wire. Just plug in and glow.

A tree skirt is optional. Though if you must, keep it subtle with something textural and neutral, like linen or jute. Personally, I think the bareness is the point; it’s more enchanting that way.

Both light and lite, these twinkling twig trees may be minimal, but they add more glow than a traditional fir, and their slimline shape makes them perfect for spaces lacking in square footage.

Shop Twinkling Twig Trees

Shop my favorite alternative Christmas trees below to cluster among evergreens, fill an awkward corner, or display solo as your new, softly glowing centerpiece.

Visual bulk aside, sometimes the reality is you just can’t swing a full-size tree. This trend not only solves that problem by being dainty, but it does so in an incredibly chic and sophisticated way.

Christmas decorating in 2025 has ditched the muted and minimal for something livelier. This year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, the nation’s favourite festive signal, has reminded us why that particular era was so irresistible. For many of us, it is deeply nostalgic, and whether you love it or loathe it, you must admit, Christmas feels exciting again.

Let’s be honest: not every '90s trend aged gracefully. But that is the charm. In a world obsessed with beige and addicted to subtlety, embracing '90s Christmas decor is something of an antidote to mediocracy, and the ubiquity of a 'chic' and 'understated' Christmas. If you want to embrace the '90s, then tinsel, glitter, kitsch, and a little chaos are all mandatory. Here's what to shop for to get the look.

'I was a child of the '90s, so nostalgic Christmas decor to me isn't elevated, it's not chic or curated, and that's the whole point. Nothing matches, homemade decs sit alongside brightly colored glass ornaments, and the lights are colorful too. Nothing says '90s Christmas to me more than colored lights,' says Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors here at Homes & Gardens.

'Of course, tinsel was a key player in the 90s Christmas too, hung on the tree but also from the ceiling around doors and picture frames - it's cozy but it's also kind of tacky, which again is the whole point if you are creating this look in 2026, don't overthink it!'

Embracing the tacky can feel daunting. If you approach it half-heartedly, nervously clipping baubles in muted shades while sneaking glances at your neighbours, the whole effect falls flat. The point of a 90s Christmas is to cut ties with your self-conscious self, to fling caution (and tinsel) to the wind, and to revel in decorations that are bold, joyful, and just slightly ridiculous.

The only hard and fast rule of decorating '90s style is to turn your back on the delicate, warm white fairy lights we all love and embrace multicoloured fairy lights instead. These colourful battery lights available at John Lewis are precisely the thing.

This 90s Christmas revival is unapologetic, mischievous, and just a touch over-the-top – which is why some will adore it and others will clutch their pearls. Gone are the beige perfection and painfully colour-coded monotony of modern festive decor. Here, the rules are looser, the ornaments cheerfully eccentric, and the whole effect utterly joyful. Still, even in this riotous celebration of chaos, one line I will never, ever cross is the fake tree. Some traditions, it seems, are worth defending – even amid tinsel-fuelled anarchy.

The secret to creating such a social living room, according to designers, lies with zoning: a clever, subtle trick that shapes how a room flows. And the good news is that you don't need the perfect living room layout to create a space where people naturally settle in.

Here, designers walk us through the one surprisingly simple zoning trick they swear by to make any living room feel warmer and more connected, just in time for hosting season.

The Zoning Trick Designers Swear By

Ask any designer what makes a living room layout feel truly conversational, and you’ll hear a common theme: don’t rely on one big seating area to do all the work.

Instead, think of it as breaking the room into moments – a pair of chairs angled toward each other for easy chat, a cozy reading corner that catches the light, or a secondary perch away from the main couch.

'Creating zones within a living room – no matter its size – is all about intention,' adds interior designer Marie Flanigan. 'I like to think of each area as having a purpose, whether it’s gathering around the fireplace, reading in a quiet corner, or enjoying conversation with guests.'

The best part? This trick works everywhere. In small rooms, even one extra arrangement can transform how the space feels. In larger or open-plan homes, several smaller vignettes are often far more welcoming than one sprawling layout.

'Zoning helps even the largest room feel intimate,' says designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'By dividing a space visually through rugs, furniture groupings, or lighting, you create pockets that encourage conversation. In long or open-plan rooms, two smaller seating zones often feel cozier than one expansive one. Repetition in tone or texture helps the space feel cohesive,' she advises.

Kathy Kuo agrees, adding that creating multiple vignettes makes a living room far more inviting for entertaining.

'In living rooms where space allows it, I love to create a few smaller seating vignettes instead of sticking to one gathering area,' she adds. 'This layout is ideal for entertaining; it sparks more intimate conversations between smaller groups, versus large-group conversations that span the full width of the room.'

'There are so many ways to execute this zoning trick to perfection,' Kathy continues. 'I’m obsessed with cozy, conversational seating areas that pair four accent chairs around a round ottoman or coffee table in the center.'

Something rounded in shape, like the Rochelle Cambridge Skirted Ottoman from Kathy Kuo Home, will help to encourage flow, while something as simple yet stylish as the Elsie Side Table from Pottery Barn provides a spot for drinks yet doesn't disrupt sightlines.

'Another option is a game table or bistro table with two or three side chairs gathered around it – the perfect nook for board games or puzzles,' Kathy adds. 'Even a zone as simple as an upholstered bench next to the window can create a lovely setting for lingering conversations,' she continues.

Additionally, Sean Symington advises playing with scale. 'One of my favorite zoning tricks in a living room is to use layers of furniture to subtly define different areas within a single space. Varying the scale helps; mix larger, more substantial pieces with smaller, lighter ones to create visual balance,' he suggests.

'In bigger rooms, placing chairs or even sofas back-to-back instantly divides the space into two distinct seating zones while keeping it cohesive,' Sean continues. 'It’s a great way to make an open-plan room feel more intimate and purposeful without using physical barriers.'

One of the simplest ways to make these seating moments feel more inviting is to pull furniture away from the walls and let it “float” within the room. It's a small shift that, should room allow, completely transforms how the space feels.

Designer Sarah Ellison of Frank & Faber explains that 'Regardless of your living room’s size, zoning can create distinct areas while still maintaining a harmonious, cohesive space – think a reading nook, a conversation corner, or a music zone. Instead of pushing furniture against the walls, let pieces float around a coffee table or ottoman to encourage gathering and conversation.'

Marie Flanigan also sees this as essential for shaping a more intimate layout. 'Even in smaller spaces, pulling furniture away from walls and arranging pieces to face one another instantly makes the room feel more intimate and inviting. It’s about creating moments that naturally draw people together.'

Floating furniture also helps you define multiple zones within the same room. A pair of chairs angled toward each other creates one pocket, while a sofa and accent chair facing across a coffee table form another.

Once you’ve identified where your seating pockets should be, the next step is to give each one its own identity – and designers almost always turn to rugs, lighting, and texture to do it.

As Paulina Hospod, president at Aha Interiors, explains, 'Use texture and lighting to define zones instead of walls – a rug, pendant, or shift in material can subtly separate conversation and reading areas.' These subtle decor changes work brilliantly because they anchor a space visually without interrupting the room’s flow.

Living room rugs are an especially powerful tool. Sarah Ellison notes that they 'are perfect for grounding a zone, making it feel intentional and cohesive without needing partitions.'

'Lighting works in much the same way,' Sarah adds. 'A low-hanging pendant, or a mix of soft table and floor lamps, can shift the atmosphere and subtly define each area. The result is a living room that feels layered, purposeful, and effortlessly sociable.'

By breaking your living room down into mini zones, rather than seeing it as one catch-all arrangement, it's so much easier to view the space in terms of conversation spots. Then, with the help of rugs, lighting, and smart furniture placement, these little groupings can make a space feel more intimate, more inviting, and a whole lot more conversational.

This season, the retailer riffs on those familiar festive motifs and Christmas decor ideas with cable-knit throw pillows, velvet-cuffed stockings, and weathered, patterned textiles intended to turn back time. A small stocking edit is even crafted from true antique fabrics sourced around the world, bringing that rarefied, storied feel you can’t fake.

Sans tartan, Joon Loloi’s lineup could live in the same universe as what is possibly the least trendy Christmas trend ever, 'Ralph Lauren Christmas' – mirroring its heirloom codes and quiet grandeur through kindred details like patinated bells or lifelike foliage – simply rendered with a more relaxed energy.

Timelessness, clearly, was Joon Loloi’s mission. Aged and 'aged' in all the right ways, these pieces were designed to revive holiday rituals and then live with you for years – the way the best decorations always did.

Speaking of charming, few holiday scenes rival the warmth of the March family. Explore the Little Women Christmas trend – a characterful, family-forward aesthetic lifted from Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel and reimagined (just a touch) for 2025.

'I’ve been in a warm and cozy color phase for the past few years,' says Brandon Schubert, the American-born interior designer who helped bring these rooms to life. 'I’m drawn to caramels, oranges, reds, and greens, so the house naturally embodies those hues.' According to him, the building’s original bones were just waiting to be brought back to life, demanding 'only a light touch refurbishment, yet a full-scale interior redesign.'

Initially, the owners considered a full structural renovation before deciding to scale back in favor of a phased approach as and when budget allowed. But when Brandon came on board, he advised them to make one essential alteration: move the kitchen from the basement to the ground floor for a more intuitive configuration.

The good news was that the floor plan was, for the most part, just as it should be, with well-proportioned spaces across the ground and first floors and bedrooms at the top. 'From there, the interior decoration could take shape,' says Brandon. 'It meant we could gently modernize the house while also bringing out the heritage features that were already present, replacing those that had been lost. Ultimately, we wanted to create an authentic-feeling interpretation of the building’s original style without knocking it around too much.'

Brandon designed the kitchen, whose buttercream finish is offset by rich orange walls and wide plank pine flooring, making it a natural partner to the adjoining dining room, a mirror of the kitchen’s architectural details. He also designed the dining table, the sitting room’s blue sofa, and bookcases for the library upstairs.

Relaxed and colorful, this is a home that reflects the personality of its owners. 'Initially, it was difficult to agree on a balance between pared back and maximalist, modern and antique,' says one of them. 'The challenge was knowing what to update and how.'

Brandon solved that by introducing painted rather than papered walls. 'Then it was about incorporating pattern without letting the house tilt into country cottage,' he says. 'So I chose smaller, geometric patterns for curtains and plain colors for upholstery. I kept colors zingy and interesting so that the rooms have intensity and energy without relying too much on pattern.'

Much of the success of these schemes relies on casting the couple’s existing pieces in a new light. In the study, a writing desk had its worn red leather inset top replaced with smart black; the mirror–cum–TV above the fireplace in the sitting room had its gilt frame painted over in a faux bird’s eye maple timber effect, while a pair of mahogany Georgian pot cupboards were softened by gently patterned purple drapes and gray-green walls. 'We also both love art,' says the owner. 'So we spent time choosing new pieces as well as including a couple of South African favorites.'

One day, the basement, with its conservatory extension, will be tackled so that the family has more generous access to the garden. But for now, the house works just as it should. This season, the family will be cooking in the run-up as well as hosting friends and family. 'We always go for a walk along the river before lunch,' says Brandon’s client. 'Returning to our home is extra special. It’s just perfect for cozy winter nights.'

And as dining room ideas have changed, evolved, and become more multi-functional spaces, there are a few features and design decisions widely considered clichés – they are out of style and outdated.

The dining room might not be the highest-traffic space in your home, but it gets plenty of stage time during the hosting season and is often one of the rooms your guests see most. That’s why it’s key for this area to look timeless yet on-trend, functional yet aesthetic, relaxed but still occasion-ready.

So what are the dining room clichés designers warn will make your space look dated in 2025 and beyond?

1. Banquettes in Formal Dining Rooms

It's fair to say we've all become slightly obsessed with banquette seating. It feels a bit cooler, comfier, and adds additional storage, which is always a bonus. But in a formal dining room, designers say it feels misplaced.

'Banquettes in formal dining rooms are losing steam. They look great in photos but rarely work in real life, especially when guests are climbing in and out during a dinner party,' says interior designer Ellie Christopher.

'Fully upholstered dining chairs are making a comeback. They add softness, texture, and a sense of ease. I also love the idea of giving heirloom pieces a modern update: slipcovered dining chairs in linen or cotton instantly tone down the formality and feel fresh again,' she explains.

Reupholstering an inherited or vintage chair is a great way to modernize antique furniture and give it a more unique look that feels tailored to your style and lifestyle. And the fabric you choose is key.

'For families, laminated or wipeable fabrics like leather keep things beautiful and livable. The goal now is a dining space that’s elegant but approachable – somewhere people actually want to linger.'

If you want something timeless and comfy, the Threshold™ Ingleside Open Back Upholstered Wood Frame Dining Chair from Target is a great choice, or for something a little bolder, Lulu and Georgia's Haddan Slipcover Dining Arm Chair is fully upholstered with a range of fabric patterns and colors to choose from.

2. Oversized Chandeliers

In years past, no formal dining room was complete without a beautiful lighting fixture – usually a grand chandelier. It created a sense of decadence and status that made the dining room feel more formal. But it's a look designers are gravitating towards less and less.

'Large and heavy chandeliers are on their way out for dining rooms. The days of having a chandelier with dripping crystals to create a very formal look in a dining room aren’t what people are looking for now,' says Yena Jung, of By Yena Designs.

Something more unexpected and contemporary in style can create a beautiful design feature that feels far from dated. This Curie Polished Champagne Chandelier from CB2 is a perfect example of a modern interpretation of a chandelier, or for something more subtle and soft, Bruck Lighting's Federica Pendant from Wayfair is so chic.

'Many formal dining rooms are being turned into completely new spaces like play rooms, laundry rooms, but more commonly, dining rooms are being combined with semi-open concept kitchens. You don’t need statement kitchen pendant lights and a heavy dining room chandelier in a combined space,' she explains.

In fact, open plan spaces can instantly feel overwhelmed with too many statement lighting features, and can take your dining space from elevated and luxurious to completely overwhelmed. So, instead of embracing the traditional, oversized designs, Yena recommends choosing more unique designs.

'I’m using more artistic chandeliers that are asymmetrical and odd-shaped. I’ve also been adding color to the light fixtures, where traditionally you only ever saw glass, black, white, silver, and gold. Light fixtures bring warmth to a room, but doing a fixture in a dark mulberry color or aged bronze brings another dimension and something more interesting to look at besides too many hanging crystals.'

3. Single-Use Dining Rooms

There's a reason separate dining rooms fell out of style – most of us simply weren't using them outside of one or two holiday meals. As such, they became dumping grounds and dust collectors, rather than the hub of the home we expected them to be. And it's a cliché that designers say it's time to give up on.

'The single-use formal dining room is on its way out. Today’s dining spaces are evolving into multifunctional rooms that reflect how people actually live – not just where they eat a few times a year,' says Sandy Baisley and Natasia Smith, co-founders of Re-Find.

It's a bit like when fashion people say an expensive coat or luxury perfume shouldn't be saved just for best, but worn and loved all the time. And your dining space should be approached in the same way – designed to be used every day and enjoyed. And multi-purpose is the way to do it.

'We’re designing dining rooms that double as home libraries, lounges, or game rooms – places you want to spend time in. The key is comfort: plush chairs, layered lighting, and a mix of textures that invite you to linger long after the meal is over,' they explain. Blending dining with these unexpected rooms creates a natural evolution – once you've finished eating, dining can flow into evening entertainment.

Introducing multiple functions to your dining room doesn't require a full remodel. You can simply add some bookshelves, such as the Ashwood Road 5 Shelf Bookcase from Walmart or the Higgs Bottom Arch Cane Paneling Bookcase from Anthropologie, for book and game storage, or even add a casual seating area at one end of the room.

4. 'Museum-Piece' Designs

In many ways, the dining room is the one space where people often default to what they think it should look like, rather than curating a space that feels like their own, is comfortable for family meals, and is filled with personal details. But it's something designers say we should absolutely change as we head into 2026.

'One trend we see fading is the overly formal, museum-piece dining room, the kind that’s used twice a year and feels stiff. Heavy matching furniture sets and generic builder lighting are losing steam because they don’t reflect how people live today,' explains Rebekah Murphy, co-founder and principal designer at Murphy & Moore Design.

In essence, it's become a cliché to fill your dining room with clichés, rather than designing a space that reflects your interior design style and the way you and your family would actually use the space. But it's exactly how Rebekah says you should be approaching your dining room design.

'Homeowners are embracing character-driven, lived-in elegance: dining rooms that feel collected, personal, and integrated with the rest of the home. We’re seeing historic architectural details, interesting color stories, statement lighting, and a mix of vintage pieces become central to the space,' she explains.

'Instead of perfection, people want patina, warmth, and rooms that invite conversation. A beautifully layered dining room with thoughtful millwork and sculptural lighting feels far more relevant for the way families gather now.'

5. Matching Dining Chair Sets

It's become very well-known that in a bedroom, you should never decorate with a full matching suite, where the wardrobes, drawers, and bedside tables are all the same. And this same ethos applies to the dining room – all-matching furniture lacks character and misses the cohesive mark.

'Formal dining rooms with perfectly matched chair sets are falling out of favor,' says Kate Hartman of Kate Hartman Interiors. 'In their place, we’re seeing intimate, banquette-style nooks that feel softer, cozier, and far more conducive to lingering over long, elegant meals.'

A banquette is a chic choice in an open-plan space, but in more formal dining rooms, chairs are still a favored choice. In these instances, either introduce a different chair at each head of the table (this Halbrook Dining Chair Set of 2 by Sarah Sherman Samuel is perfect for this) or go for a fully mismatched look.

Shopping vintage is a great option for this look – your dining room will instantly feel collected and characterful, as long as you maintain a common thread for each chair, whether it's the material they are made from or the upholstery color and pattern. Chairish has some brilliant examples, including this selection of 1950s Vintage Dining Chairs.

In short, dining rooms are supposed to be lived-in, characterful spaces, rather than the showroom designs you are so used to seeing. It's about ditching the features you think you should introduce, replacing them with pieces you love, and adhering to your unique style. Remember, this is a room for spending quality time, not a time capsule of traditions passed.

Entrepreneur and HGTV star Joanna Gaines was one of the first influential figures to champion this return to sentimental pieces. Take the iconic Nutcracker decorations, for instance, in their traditional red, green, and gold. Joanna’s past Christmas wreath, featuring these handsome, historic soldiers, serves as a perfect blueprint for incorporating authentic nostalgia.

These ornaments never fail to evoke a smile and can be effortlessly integrated into your home for an instant dose of festive flair. You can flank a pair on either side of your Christmas mantelpiece, use them to adorn your Christmas tree, or, echoing Joanna’s unique approach, create an entirely custom Christmas wreath using only Nutcrackers and other classic wooden ornaments, such as angels.

The key to succeeding with retro decorating is to invest in well-made ornaments that possess longevity and genuine history. The Nutcracker itself is steeped in a rich heritage that dates back to 17th-century Germany. According to German folklore, these detailed wooden figures were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to the family and protect the home. They were believed to represent power and strength and served to deter evil spirits.

Nutcracker dolls became popular in the USA after World War II, when American soldiers brought them back as presents from German Christmas markets. Today, they have firmly cemented their place in our Christmas traditions, continuing to bring joy and a charming sense of history to children and adults alike at this festive time of the year.

Shop Nostalgic Decor

The enduring charm of these traditional figures proves that the most successful holiday decor for 2025 is often rooted in nostalgia and quality craftsmanship. By using classic pieces like the Nutcracker – a symbol of protection and good fortune – you not only achieve a beautiful aesthetic but also infuse your home with meaningful heritage, creating a festive atmosphere that is both warm and timelessly elegant.

As Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens, I’ve spent over a decade immersed in the world of interiors – exploring remarkable homes, curating seasonal projects, and uncovering the details that make a space feel truly lived-in. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate that British homes are uniquely attuned to the changing seasons. Our rooms shift with the weather, and we, of course, never stop talking about it. From crisp autumn mornings to chilly winter evenings, there’s something wonderfully comforting about watching our homes respond to the world outside.

For this issue of The Very British Edit, the third in the series, I’m turning my attention to one of the coziest, most intimate aspects of home design: creating a cozy living room retreat that feels warm, inviting, and perfectly British. Fireside style is more than just a look; it’s a mood, a feeling of comfort layered with style. Think soft throws, glowing candlelight, tactile fabrics, and small, considered details that make every corner feel cocooned. It’s about curating spaces that encourage you to pause, to relax, and to enjoy the simple pleasure of being at home.

What I adore about English decorating is how it embraces comfort without sacrificing elegance. Layering textures, lighting, and thoughtful accessories transforms rooms into spaces that are simultaneously stylish and nurturing. A corner by the fire becomes a haven; a well-chosen rug or cushion can lift a room’s mood in an instant. These are the small touches that make a house feel loved, lived-in, and authentically you.

Creating a cozy, fireside-ready home is, for me, one of the most satisfying seasonal rituals. There’s something very British about arranging a space to reflect the mood outside while inviting warmth and charm inside. Whether it’s a flickering candle on a mantel, a carefully layered throw on a chair, or the glow of a winter-hued lamp, it’s these considered details that make our homes feel magical.

This edition celebrates exactly that: the joy of turning a house into a retreat, of creating corners that cocoon you from the cold, and of embracing the uniquely British delight in how our interiors respond to each season. It’s a reminder that home isn’t just a place – it’s a feeling, a ritual, and, in true British style, a refuge that changes beautifully with the weather.

The Edit: Fireside Style

Spotlight: Soho Home

Few brands have become as central to my seasonal styling as Soho Home, the modern interiors brand designed for relaxed, sociable living. With more than 25 years of design heritage, Soho Home was born when guests began asking if they could buy their favorite pieces from around the Soho Houses around the world. I’ve been drawn to the brand for years, particularly their glassware, which perfectly captures the effortless, fireside style I love every fall and winter.

The collection began in 2016 with their iconic Barwell crystal glasses, and it has since evolved into a full range of tableware that combines contemporary design with timeless elegance. Their hand-finished glasses, subtly tinted tumblers, and sculptural decanters aren’t just functional; they transform ordinary drinks into quietly celebratory moments.

For me, fireside style isn’t just about throws and candles – it’s about the details that make a space feel complete. Soho Home glassware is the finishing touch that turns a cozy living room corner into a retreat, a gathering into a ritual, and an evening into something to savor. Every season, I reach for their collections to make winter at home feel stylish, warm, and unmistakably inviting.

In the Queue

Next week on The Very British Edit, I’ll be turning my attention to Thanksgiving table decor – from dinnerware and flatware to candlesticks that set the mood for a festive gathering. Having celebrated Thanksgiving for years with my partner, who lived in the US, we’ve brought this American tradition to the UK, and it’s become one of my favorite occasions to style a table with warmth, personality, and seasonal charm.

I’ll be spotlighting Royal Doulton, a brand synonymous with classic British tableware that also has a big presence in the US. Their collections blend timeless elegance with enduring quality, offering plates, cutlery, and candlesticks that elevate a meal into a proper occasion. Every piece feels considered, from polished flatware to statement dinner plates, helping to create a table that is both welcoming and sophisticated.

Whether hosting a full Thanksgiving feast or a more intimate gathering, the right tableware becomes part of the rituals that make a house feel like home. True to Royal Doulton’s ethos, these pieces are designed to last, becoming more treasured with each meal shared and every memory made around the table.

The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.

That was what designer Melanie Love, alongside Perez Construction, took on with this Edwardian home in Cole Valley, San Francisco. Having been built in 1910, the house had great bones; however, it had undergone many renovations over the years that had stripped away its character. The brief was to restore the original charm of the home and reconfigure the awkward layout to make it work for modern family life.

‘Previous remodels had left the style of the house lacking cohesion, and it was yearning for a sense of soul and better flow,’ says Melanie. ‘My brief was to revitalize the property and make strategic updates so it was more functional and suitable for a young family. The owners wanted a more functional, aesthetically pleasing space that felt more in line with the history of the home.’

‘Like many homes in San Francisco, some of the rooms at the center of the house lack natural light, so we thoughtfully chose paint and wallpaper to brighten up these spaces and create a visual connection to the outdoors.’

Both Melanie and her clients wanted to honor the home’s history while giving it a fresh personality, introducing rich color and bold pattern to complement the Edwardian features – so a neutral scheme was off the table. ‘Our client was really inspired by classic British design, with saturated color and pattern balanced by a mix of more modern furnishings – which is an aesthetic that aligns well with my own taste and our brand,’ she explains.

Here, Melanie walks us through the newly renovated rooms – from the changes made in the kitchen to improve the home’s flow for entertaining, to how she created the playful yet cohesive color palette that threads through every space.

'Our client wanted the living room to feel like a special moment when guests first enter the house. To set it apart from the other spaces on this floor, we chose a more glamorous light fixture and a more formal seating arrangement.'

'At the center of the room is a striking burl wood coffee table, surrounded by two swivel chairs and a classic camelback sofa. Creating a thread of connection between the rooms, we continued the blue used on the kitchen island for the wall paneling and built-ins. Inside the built-ins, a playful yet elegant touch of pink, echoed in the powder room and guest suite, adds depth and visual interest.'

'To keep this space family-friendly we selected performance fabrics for the furnishings. The wood coffee tables and side tables throughout have an added conversion varnish finish for added protection.'

'The family room seamlessly connects to the living room and offers a more relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The furniture layout is designed to accommodate larger gatherings while also providing a cozy corner for lounging with a book and space to play.'

'We also carried that same blue from the living room and kitchen island into the family room to maintain visual continuity. To add a special touch, we selected a cheerful Morris & Co. wallpaper, which introduces a playful yet sophisticated element. The yellow accent echoes the color palette of the upstairs kids’ bathroom, creating a cohesive theme throughout the home.'

'A simple brass pendant light echoes the shape of the ornate chandelier in the living room. Along one wall, a custom-built-in offers both ample seating for entertaining and discreet toy storage, making the space as functional as it is stylish.'

'Designed for a busy, entertaining-focused young family, the dining room leads directly through the heart of the kitchen to their backyard, making it a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.'

'Our client is passionate about nature-inspired motifs, such as flowers and trees. With this in mind, we sought a fresh interpretation of chinoiserie for the dining room and found that the scale and color palette of Cole & Son’s pattern were a perfect fit.'

'The dining room window frames a garden of flowering trees that change with the seasons, providing a dynamic, ever-evolving backdrop. The scale of the trees in the wallpaper perfectly suits the space, and our client loved the harmonious connection between the wallpaper and the shifting outdoor view.'

'Our goal was for the wallpaper to be the room’s focal point, so we paired it with a complementary floral chandelier in a soft antique bronze to emphasize the immersive feel of the nature theme. The walnut dining table is custom-made and extendable for hosting large gatherings. We balanced out the cooler blue tones in the wallpaper, paint, and rug with the warmth of the walnut wood and earthy chair fabric.'

'The design of the kitchen began with a focus on layout and flow. A large island anchors the space, flanked by cabinetry running the full length of the room on both sides. A secondary prep area, complete with a sink, provides a dedicated spot for tea and cocktail preparation, while nearby pocket doors cleverly conceal small appliances and supplies.'

'To maximize the space, we relocated the sliding doors and created a cozy banquette in the corner, featuring windows that flood the area with natural light. The banquette seating also offers additional storage as well as a cubby conveniently located for shoe storage near the back door.'

'The kitchen color scheme was inspired by a soft sage green for the cabinetry, which sets a calm, yet fresh tone throughout the kitchen. To complement this, we chose a vibrant yet serene blue for the kitchen island, creating a striking contrast. The shade of blue is repeated on the living room and family room paneling. A lighter shade can be found on the dining room and pantry ceilings and in the ombre sky of the dining room wall mural.'

'Madre Perla quartzite countertops and backsplash add a stunning finish to the space. The lighting was carefully curated to include a mix of styles: ceramic pendants above the island, delicate scalloped brass sconces, and a larger scalloped pendant over the breakfast table. In lieu of recessed lighting, we opted for simple surface-mount fixtures to maintain a cohesive, clean look that didn’t feel too modern. For a bespoke touch, we incorporated fluted, arched details on the custom cabinet doors and attached the banquette cushion with brass hardware.'

'Powder rooms offer the perfect opportunity to embrace bold patterns and striking shapes, and we took full advantage of that here. We created a jewel-box atmosphere with vibrant wallpaper, rich plum beadboard wrapping the room, a soft pink ceiling, and elegant brass accents. A custom ceramic sconce in aubergine complements the space, echoing the scalloped details that appear throughout the home.'

'In the primary bedroom, we’ve designed a serene retreat with an earthy yet sophisticated color palette. Our intention was to create a unique atmosphere that distinguishes this room from the rest of the house. With an abundance of natural light, we embraced a bold, ornate pattern on the walls, adding a touch of grandeur. Custom green-trimmed shades replaced the standard shades on the brass sconces. The soft curves of the shades are mirrored in the pendant light that anchors the center of the room.'

'To maintain a sense of continuity with the first level, we brought in a shade of green for the built-ins and trim. The earthy warmth of the wallpaper is complemented by the textured pendant and the woven bench at the foot of the bed. We also dressed up the custom daybed with a tailored skirt, adding a refined touch. The result is a room that feels truly special from the moment you step inside.'

'We reimagined the layout of the primary bathroom by moving the entrance to an adjacent wall. In place of the previous oversized tub, we added a spacious shower and a freestanding tub, creating a more balanced feel. These changes allowed us to incorporate a double vanity and reposition the toilet in a more discreet corner, optimizing both functionality and flow within the space.'

'We selected a soothing pistachio green as the foundation for a serene, calming color palette. Rare cristalo iceberg quartzite on the countertops, backsplash, ponywalls and shower niches adds a luxurious feel to the bath. The custom arched brass privacy screen between the vanity and toilet adds a bespoke, elegant touch to the space. One of my favorite details is the custom wood medicine cabinets – hidden behind the cerused oak mirrors, is clever storage that’s seamlessly integrated into the design.'

'The space that delights me most is the guest bedroom and the adjoining bath. The mix of patterns and varying shades of pink in the floral wallpaper, fabrics, and tile makes my heart happy.'

'The guest spaces are inspired by the charm and luxury of boutique hotels. Designed to serve as both an office and a guest retreat, the room features a Murphy bed that effortlessly transforms the space into a cozy haven for visitors. The color palette draws from the guest bathroom's pink tones, creating a seamless connection between the two spaces.'

'Given the function of the room, we were able to be a bit more whimsical with a sweet floral pattern on the walls and a scalloped wallpaper border on the ceiling. At the center of the room, is a hand-sculpted light fixture with flower-shaped shades that echo the scalloped border. To complement this artisan light, we chose a painterly pink stripe for the drapery, enhancing the room's playful yet elegant feel. A cozy, custom pink sofa provides a lounging spot where they can enjoy views of San Francisco.'

'Our client envisioned a luxurious, high-end hotel experience for their guest bathroom. To set the tone, we selected a vibrant floral wallpaper that, combined with the large skylight, creates the feeling of being enveloped in a lush garden. Drawing inspiration from tile patterns in London’s boutique hotel bathrooms, we incorporated black tile trim to balance the bold pink, ensuring the design remains both sophisticated and timeless. A custom medicine cabinet, cleverly hidden within the octagonal mirror, adds a surprising and functional touch to this elegant space.'

'The striking Soane wallpaper serves as the focal point of the kids' bathroom, setting a vibrant tone. To complement the cheerful yellow, we extended the color onto the vanity and beadboard paneling that wraps the walls and tub. Bespoke details on the vanity and quartzite stone backsplash add a touch of sophistication, balancing the playful color palette of this kid-friendly space. To maximize storage in this compact bathroom, we incorporated a train rack shelf above the toilet, providing a practical spot for extra towels during bath time.'

This project is a lesson in how to honor a home’s charm, taking it back to its original beauty while also making it feel like a modern home, reflective of the owner’s style. The thread of blues and greens throughout every room gives this colorful home a cohesive feel; it’s bold but sophisticated and never overwhelming. The color scheme flows from room to room, slightly shifting but always connected.

'We are thrilled with the end result,' says Melanie, 'and so excited to be working with our clients on phase II of the remodel.'

It’s not just a bedroom, and they’re not just visitors – they’re guests. Stay one step ahead (and several degrees more stylish) with our guest-bedroom edit that does the most, and makes them feel the same.

So to avoid a last-minute panic, this year, I asked designers how they design the perfect living room layout that will rise beautifully to the occasion, and their answer surprised me. It turns out: the swivel chair is where it's at.

According to the experts, this unexpected living room seating idea is the secret to effortless entertaining: it encourages natural conversation clusters, keeps sightlines open, and makes the whole room feel more dynamic. If you’re making just one living room update ahead of hosting season, this might be the smartest (and most stylish) place to start.

When I asked designers to name the one living room furniture choice that instantly makes a living room more hosting-friendly, the answer was surprisingly unanimous. Rather than suggesting adding more seating or a total layout overhaul, every designer I spoke to pointed to a single piece that transforms the way a room functions when you’re hosting.

It’s not oversized, it’s not particularly flashy, and you might even overlook it entirely in a furniture showroom – but bring a swivel chair into your living room and suddenly the space feels more social, more adaptable, and far better connected.

Paulina Hospod, president at Aha Interiors in New York City, says: 'Swivel chairs are my secret weapon – they pivot between guests or the TV in seconds, making the space feel social, flexible, and hosting-friendly.'

Designer Kailee Blalock at House of Hive Design Co. echoes the sentiment, highlighting why swivels are so effective in living room layouts, adding: 'A swivel chair is our secret weapon, it bridges zones and keeps the layout flexible for gatherings. Use a pair of matching chairs instead of a love seat, it's more versatile for both conversation and scale.'

One of the biggest challenges during hosting season is keeping the room feeling connected, even as guests naturally break off into smaller groups

By allowing seating to rotate between conversation clusters, focal points, or entertainment zones, they help the room feel more fluid. Whether used as a pair, flanking a sofa, or floating within the layout, swivel chairs offer movement and connection that standard armchairs simply can’t match.

'I love to incorporate swivel chairs as they are easy to pivot to accommodate multiple conversation clusters in the room,' says designer Aimee Meisgeier of AM Interior Design. 'I also use a square configuration furniture layout a lot that incorporates a sofa, two occasional chairs, along with their matching ottomans, surrounding a round coffee table.'

'I like to place the ottomans on the opposite side of the sofa, to add additional seating, but they could also be used with their corresponding occasional chair, if the furniture layout was switched at some point,' she advises.

Swivel chairs allow a structured furniture layout to feel relaxed and responsive, helping guests face each other naturally without having to move furniture around. Paired with ottomans, as Aimee suggests, they create a layout that can expand or completely reorient depending on how the evening unfolds.

'Ottomans and benches are the most versatile pieces of furniture,' agrees designer Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'They can be moved easily, used as tables when topped with a tray, and provide informal seating when hosting. In many of our projects, a generously upholstered ottoman replaces a traditional coffee table to soften the layout and encourage people to gather around it.'

To make all this movement work, you want to ensure that the space has a strong enough visual anchor in the space.

'It’s all about balance, not size. In my own home, a large sofa anchors the wall to the kitchen, with swivel chairs and ottomans completing the dialogue,' advises Paulina. A sturdy sofa sets the tone and orientation of the space, while accent chairs add the conversational flexibility that makes the room feel welcoming and lived-in.

While swivels shine during lively gatherings, they’re also just as valuable when the evening winds down and the living room shifts into a cozy night in.

Lynn Berney, Alexa Evans, and Tracy Gould from LTA Interiors suggest swivel chairs as the perfect addition for TV viewing from every seat. 'Consider using swivel chairs and a sectional sofa that allows for both chatting and movie nights, and keep lighting soft and indirect to reduce glare.' Their ability to rotate means everyone can find the perfect viewing angle without rearranging the entire room.

After speaking with the experts, it’s easy to understand why swivel chairs keep being described as a secret weapon in design. They solve multiple layout challenges at once – improving flow, conversation, and easing the transition between different activities – all while looking super stylish.

Shop Stylish Swivel Chairs

Swivel chairs may be a great holiday addition, but according to designers, they're great for year-round hosting and entertaining. Perfect for movie nights, games evenings, family get-togethers, and just generally helping to create a sense of balance in your interior design.

After all, Christmas IS kitsch. And who am I to deny myself some joy-sparking Christmas tree ideas? Suddenly, the idea of a nostalgic, color-packed, memory-filled, decorated-in-November tree felt exactly what we all need right now. And we have Joanna Gaines' latest video to thank for that.

Sharing my eagerness for early decorating, in her latest video, the TV star and designer explains how she likes to pace out her holiday decorating throughout November – with the 'big mama' tree arriving at the end of the month. So while this might not be her main event, it certainly has meaning.

On request for a mom and son date night, Joanna and Crew spent their evening adorning the tree with kitschmas decor – vintage ornaments, unapologetic color, and nostalgia you can feel through the screen. 'This is my vintage-inspired tree,' she says in the caption. '[I'm] feeling the need for some nostalgia and whimsy.'

There’s something unexpectedly comforting about embracing the joy of an intentionally over-the-top Christmas, especially in a season that can so easily fall into a perfectionism trap.

So when I spotted that not only is Joanna's tree delightfully kid-friendly but also half-decorated, I thought, actually this is exactly what Christmas is all about. 'Full transparency, I focused only on the front and ran out of ornaments. The sides are bare!' she adds in the caption, to which fans have remarked how refreshingly relatable her half-finished decor feels.

And it turns out, there are just 3 key ingredients to recreating her kitsch look. Think shiny brights, thrifted treasures, and the lametta tinsel trend. So this year, I’m taking my cues from Joanna’s vintage-inspired Christmas and leaning into all things kitsch – here's how.

How to Get Joanna Gaines' Retro Kitschmas Look

1. Lametta Tinsel

If there’s one detail that takes a tree from pretty to unapologetically kitschmas, it’s lametta tinsel.

The delicate metallic strands catch the light and make the whole thing shimmer in the most retro way – and the best part is, there’s no need to over-style it or aim for perfection. You simply let it fall where it wants, and the result is this magical, twinkling effect that feels straight out of a holiday postcard.

It’s messy, it’s glam, it’s wonderfully old-school, and it’s super on-trend for 2025. Silver might be Joanna's hue of choice (and the most popular), but there are also chic gold options out there too like this 1000ct Christmas Tinsel Gold pack from Target.

2. Mercury Glass Ornaments

Joanna’s tree is packed with collected and colorful mercury glass ornaments that give the kitschmas tree its soul.

Whether you’re lucky enough to collect genuine vintage ornaments or you’re shopping for new pieces with that same charm – mercury glass instantly grounds all the color and sparkle, even when they’re brand new.

Of course, you can shop for loads of vintage finds online or in thrift stores, but the Magnolia Holiday Shop also has loads of sweet options to browse through.

3. Plenty of Color

Color is where the joy of Christmas really comes alive.

When I watched Joanna’s video, the first thing I noticed was the color palette: punchy pinks, sea glass blues, cherry reds, and vibrant metallics that glow under the lights. This is where you throw the usual "Christmas colors" and rules out the window.

Instead of choosing between warm or cool tones, layer everything together until the tree feels like a joyful mix. For me, that also means leaning in with some colorful Christmas tree lights, but you can channel Joanna's look and stick to warm white with these 100 Count Warm White Incandescent Christmas String Lights from Target.

Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be polished to feel magical. A sprinkle of retro tinsel, a cluster of vintage ornaments, and a riot of cheerful color are sometimes all it takes to capture a joyful, kitschmas Christmas.

However, I understand wanting to add just a pop of a color to a room, but in 2026, accent walls are out of style, and there are far more subtle ways to bring a bolder shade into a room. Enter: accent doors.

Accent doors are a tasteful way to create a focal point in your home without having to commit to painting an entire wall. While an emerging interior design trend for 2026, accent doors are not a new concept. 'Colored doors, like colored trim, have been around for centuries,' interior designer Sarah Storms explains. 'They are used in historic buildings like Independence Hall in Philadelphia and are a big part of the British design aesthetic.'

Because of the fallout of the accent wall trend, accent doors are having a renaissance, and interior designers are utilizing them more and more in their projects. 'A colorful door adds a lot of impact without a lot of risk,' Sarah tells me. They create visual interest, express personality, but feel more considered than a feature wall.

1. Choose a Soft, Serene Color

Accent doors don't need to be bold or vivid (like my bright purple accent wall). They don't need to make a strong style statement or become the focal point of a room, either. In fact, sometimes the best accent doors are the ones that whisper with elegance – like this accent door in a soft shade of blue.

Here, the accent door quietly contrasts the otherwise white hallway and seamlessly complements the wallpaper within the bathroom. Decorating with blue has a way of making a space feel more calming, and that's certainly the case with this blue door, which is painted in a similar tone to Benjamin Moore's Breath of Fresh Air. While the door itself provides a level of color, it does so in a tasteful, elegant manner – proving that accent doors don't need to be as loud as an accent wall.

2. Work With the Rest of the Room's Color Scheme

If the long reign of the accent wall taught us anything, it’s that a bold focal point isn’t always the answer. An accent door offers a subtler approach – adding a pop of color that enhances your interiors rather than overpowering them.

'The combination of colors is key,' Robin and Jen explain about accent door color choices. 'Not all colors work together. We generally stick to colors with all the same intensity.' That's just the case in this cozy bedroom above. When open, the green accent door tastefully complements the light blue painted room and its existing decor. It's not too soft and not too bold – the door's balanced tone adds just the right amount of visual interest and contrast to the room's design scheme.

3. Call Attention to a Utilitarian Spot

Pantries have never been considered a glamorous spot in the home. Quite the opposite, actually – they're a space that serves a purpose, needs to be functional, and most times, stays hidden. However, colorful pantry ideas have turned these utilitarian spots into style statements, and accent pantry doors can do the same.

In the modern farmhouse kitchen above, the Reseda Green painted pantry door turns this otherwise practical spot into a focal point for the room. Along with the colorful kitchen island, the accent door adds personality to the neutral kitchen. The door itself breaks up the neutral cabinets and shelving, and its fresh color creates an unexpected design moment.

Aside from pantry doors, this idea can work for other utilitarian spaces – laundry rooms, utility closets, and even coat closets. Just a bit of color can turn these unglamorous spots of the home into exciting statements of style.

4. Create Contrasts That Don’t Overwhelm

What better way to greet guests as they enter your home than with a foyer complete with yellow accent doors? Decorating with yellow can create a sense of warmth and joy in a space. As shown in this entryway designed by Sarah Storms, the two bright yellow accent doors do just that.

'I often like to paint closet doors a pop color in foyers and mudrooms to give those often overlooked spaces a little something extra,' Sarah explains. As a playful contrast to the traditional architecture in this space, the yellow accent doors add a level of excitement to the foyer's design. And since the bold doors are supported with other bold features like the Missoni Zucca Staircase Carpet and the Hallie Stool, nothing feels out of place. Instead, the accent doors and the complementary statement decor features create a sense of vibrant rhythm within the space.

5. Turn a Transitional Space Into a Design Moment

If you consider yourself a color enthusiast, there's no reason to limit yourself to one color for your accent doors. Like in the hallway above, designed by Robin Heller and Jen Levy of design firm Surrounded by Color, more vibrant colors equate to a more vibrant impact.

One of the reasons why the multi-color accent door idea works so well in this example is because of the doors' location – the hallway. Unlike a living room that might already feel busy with colorful furniture or rugs, this hallway is simple in design and presents an opportunity for colorful accent doors to become the stars of the show. 'It’s fun to be bold in spaces that are separate from the main living area, like this second-floor bedroom hallway,' the design duo muses.

Balanced out with a neutral backdrop and grounded by a simple rug like this Handspun Jute Rug, the pink, red, and green accent doors add a level of excitement to this space and demonstrate the ways in which color can impact even the most transitional parts of the home.

6. Add Visual Interest to an Otherwise Neutral Room

In a simple white dining room, like in the image above, an accent door can make a world of difference – not only by adding visual interest to the space, but by turning the transition from one room to the next into a focal point of its own.

'I love a crisp white room and have found adding interesting doors not only breaks up the space but it also adds a design feature with loads of opportunities,' interior designer Pilar Proffitt tells me. Despite the subdued, blue color, the accent doors create a subtle focal point in an otherwise neutral space – just in a calming, peaceful manner.

In an otherwise simple room, an accent door (or doors) can help guide your decor choices to create a cohesive, unified scheme. Vice versa, too. If your room feels as if it's missing something, consider drawing a shade from its existing color scheme to paint the room's doors. This is an easy, low-commitment way to transform the space, and it's not nearly as overwhelming as painting an entire wall in a colorful shade.

7. Don't Forget About Cabinets

Accent door ideas don't only pertain to traditional doors. In fact, the same ideas can be applied to cabinet doors to create a stylistically unique design scheme anywhere in the home. Do you have a bathroom cabinet that could use a facelift? Or what about a built-in mudroom cabinet that's full of untapped potential? Consider painting these doors in exciting colors to totally transform the rooms in which they exist.

In the space above, these brightly painted mudroom cabinets contrast with the wood-paneled walls, but they tastefully enhance the overall modern rustic aesthetic of the space. They add a level of personality to the space, too, and make the mudroom look and feel more dynamic.

8. Create an Unexpected Surprise

Pocket doors are an unexpected surprise in their own way, but colorfully painted pocket doors take the surprise to a whole new level. Like in the dining room above, these pocket doors slide out and inject a level of style into a space, just by means of their slate blue color.

Because pocket doors can be hidden when not needed, there's no reason not to paint them in an exciting color. They can be a focal point when pulled out, making the room feel fresh and different. Push them into the wall, and their color stays hidden. Consider accent pocket doors the perfect design feature for indecisive decorators who like the idea of color, but don't want to commit to something as permanent as an accent wall.

Accent doors take what was good about the accent wall – the ability to add a pop of color to a room – but feel more intentional than their clumsy predecessor. An accent door can serve as a subtle, unexpected focal point that feels far more considered than taking one shade over just one wall.

Knowing how to mix traditional and modern design often requires an expert eye, and there may be no two forces as qualified to dictate the narrative on this as these two. The American designer Billy Cotton plays on the ‘tension between old and new, patina and polish, past and future.’ The esteemed British interiors brand, Soane Britain, is renowned for its artful mixing of the classic and the contemporary. Together, they have created a superbly crafted collection that has got our pulse racing.

There has always been ‘a little moment’ of Soane Britain in American designer Billy Cotton’s interior schemes. ‘This is the magical part of my dual life as an industrial designer and decorator,’ says Billy. ‘Part of why I love being a decorator is that I love to shop. I found Soane because I was shopping for lights and I fell for its brass and rattan double rise-and-fall pendant, so I started ordering it – drawn not only to the craftsmanship but to the use of natural materials, which lend a humanity and tactility – and I haven’t stopped.’ Now, Billy has his own collection, designed in collaboration with Soane Britain’s founder, Lulu Lytle.

Initially trained at the prestigious Pratt Institute art school, Billy founded his interior design practice in 2011. His style plays on the ‘tension between old and new, patina and polish, past and future’, often pitched against pure white walls and ceilings to allow eclectic pieces to take centre stage. These pieces include a vintage curved Milo Baughman sofa upholstered in an archival Brunschwig & Fils floral (‘the crescendo of what I love’), adding colour to a stripped-back art-deco ocean-front home; or richly hued, shaggy vintage Moroccan rugs, painted antique cabinets and neoclassical lamps jostling alongside a mid-century Jean Prouvé table, 1950s Italian floor lamps or a 1930s Heal’s dining chair. His passion for crafting rooms that ‘both fulfil and ignite curiosities, moulded from light and shadow, pattern and colour’ shines through every scheme.

Before Billy studied industrial design, he studied history: ‘So my interest started with people and stories, which then evolved into objects, which became my operating tools for decorating,’ he says.

In his style, there are distinct hints of his New England upbringing – ‘where there is a deep aesthetic restraint’ – as well as his Irish mother’s love for 1970s contemporary furniture, colonial-era antiques, and French textiles, which he explains in his book, Billy Cotton: Interior & Design Work, published by Rizzoli in 2022. But while he has no problem embracing centuries-old design, he doesn’t want to live in an old-fashioned world. ‘I am always trying to move things forward. I want to always be thinking about modernity,’ he says.

This is what drew Lulu Lytle to collaborating, enamoured by the way Billy’s use of Soane’s pieces in his projects makes even the more traditional designs feel really current.

The collection, which encompasses fabrics, wallpapers, furniture, and lighting, allowed Billy ‘to quietly dream’ while simultaneously setting Soane’s skilled artisans ‘new challenges in terms of technique and use of materials,’ Lulu says.

In the mix is one of Billy’s previous designs, a Regency five-arm chandelier, ‘perfected with Soane’ by seamlessly wrapping the metal arms in leather or rattan. It is contrasted alongside sleek tubular wall, table, floor, and ceiling task lights in brass or nickel; named Palomar, after the observatory in San Diego, the designs masterfully imitate the look and feel of optical instruments and telescopes.

A contemporary, hand screen-printed Quadrille linen – inspired by 18th-century appliqué flowers in Soane’s textile archive and Billy’s idea of ‘a woman carrying a posy at her wedding in spring’ – has an undulating ribbon-like effect; while a handsome, simple stripe acts like ‘a neutral because I can set anything against it,’ the designer says.

For the sculptural Aquinnah arm and dining chairs, rattan seating is combined with a ‘scaffolding’ of leather-wrapped metal. ‘I love being able to see beautifully expressed engineering,’ says Billy. His solid timber pedestal-base dining table with leather and brass banding and decorative stud detailing, made by craftspeople in Suffolk and Essex, plays on ‘the conviviality of coming together’ that happens around a round rather than a rectangular table.

Today, Billy has taken the design process a step further by also becoming a partner in the architectural firm CTK. ‘Part of that is because I felt like humans weren’t being taken into account in the design, that it was so much about aesthetics and not about people and how they live,’ he says. To this end, Billy’s work forges a visceral connection between interior spaces, the objects in them, and the people living there, whether it is a relaxed beach house overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a chic Manhattan apartment, a quirky farmhouse or a grand mansion.

This is what has drawn him particularly to Lulu and Soane, ‘where there is community, materiality and end-user longevity – all the things that are increasingly important to confront the technological world we’re living in,’ he says. ‘I find that if you make something real, it will be good. But things don’t have to be so serious all the time. Aren’t we here to have a little bit of fun too?

‘To get this huge statement on my mantel – which is very large – it needed a lot of garland, so I did five,’ Shea explains, referencing her dramatic cascade of McGee & Co. greenery – a mix of hyper-realistic pine, pinecones, white berries, and eucalyptus. ‘I pulled three into this corner and then did an additional to kind of taper it off on each side, because I wanted that buildup in the corner.’

The vignette is gorgeously undone: one side full and cascading, the other lighter, creating a waterfall-like flow. It reads both sculptural and editorial – a cool, off-kilter balance that looks very impressive but simple to recreate.

As for the stockings, those too, follow the less-is-more philosophy. ‘I get so many questions about how I hang stockings on my mantel because it has this really thick profile,’ she says. Her secret is so simple, you might already have them in your junk drawer: 3M hooks, hidden beneath the garland for a seamless, float-like look. Naturally, she clusters the stockings to one side, balancing the lush fullness on the other.

And because it’s 2025 – definitely the year of the decorative ribbon – Shea completes the scene with an ivory satin bow, doubled for drama and tied loosely to one side in true coquette fashion.

Shop Shea's Asymmetrical Christmas Mantel

You’ve got the blueprint. Now all that’s left is to shop for the ingredients. Ahead, everything you need to recreate Shea’s artfully undone Christmas mantel.

Speaking of rewriting the holiday rulebook, Shea McGee’s proving she knows exactly which traditions to bend – and make look better in the process. Next up: her ten-foot Christmas tree, styled not in the living room, but in the entryway.

We spoke with interior designers and color experts to find out which once-popular color trends are losing their appeal in 2026, and why. While 2025 celebrated bold, vibrant tones, 2026 is shifting toward more muted, nuanced versions of these playful colors, and these outdated color trends definitely reflect that.

1. Overdone Forest Greens

Decorating with green has seen plenty of love in recent years, but for 2026, designers predict a shift away from vibrant forest greens. 'Forest green is going out of style for 2026 – it has been done so much,' says the Los Angeles-based designer Jessica Nicastro.

'The once-beloved pale sage and the deep forest green are shades of green that are overdone,' agrees the interior designer Hannah Goldberg of Hannah Charlotte Interiors, based in Washington D.C. 'People are feeling a bit tired of them.'

To use green in a way that feels more aligned with the current trends, there are two main ways to go. First, we're seeing much more appeal for in-between colors such as teals like Benjamin Moore's Oasis Blue and Behr's Color of the Year for 2026, Hidden Gem. 'If you want something bolder, go for a deep blue with a hint of green,' Jessica suggests. 'It’s rich, modern, and feels way more current.'

Or, you could embrace much earthier and muddier shades of green that tend to feel a bit more sophisticated and timeless. 'Opt for a moodier, softened olive or moss-toned hue to create an enveloping, timeless oasis,' says Hannah. 'These are emerging as the new neutrals. Rooted in nature, they pair effortlessly with wood, stone, and linen, bringing quiet sophistication and longevity to any space.' Try Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green for a paint that manages to balance earthiness with a touch of vibrancy.

2. Saturated Mustard Yellow

Another once-popular but now outdated color trend that some designers are moving away from in 2026 is mustard yellow. 'It has had its moment,' says the interior designer Kristina Khersonsky of Los Angeles-based STUDIO KEETA.

'It reemerged over the past few years as part of the broader return to vintage (especially ‘70s-inspired design), but it’s now been overused and overproduced,' she says. 'We’ve seen it trickle into everything from mass-market furniture to big-box decor, and the saturation has taken away its freshness.'

'For 2026, we’re moving toward richer, more nuanced tones that feel grounded and refined,' Kristina adds. 'Think ochre, raw umber, and warm caramel – hues that still nod to that retro sensibility but with more depth and sophistication. These colors bring the warmth people love about mustard, but with an elevated, timeless quality that feels more aligned with where interiors are heading.'

If you prefer light yellow room ideas, go for soft butter yellow. This nostalgic shade is just a step away from neutrals, and it is continuing to see lots of appeal among designers.

3. Artificial Shades

'I feel that laboratory and artificial colors are starting to feel out in interiors for 2026,' says fabric designer Bernie de Le Cuona, the founder of de Le Cuona. 'While they made a bold statement in previous years, these shades can feel harsh and fleeting, lacking the timeless quality that many people now seek in their homes.'

From the sugary lilac color trend to saturated tomato reds, there has been a lot of appeal for the liveliest colors, but interior designers agree they may not be here to stay. 'Bright, overly pigmented colors can read as flat or overly graphic in today’s interiors – they lack the subtlety and depth that spaces now crave,' say the designers Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co.

Instead of these highly bright and saturated tones, designers are favoring earthy hues that offer a more relaxed look. 'The shift is toward colors with a bit of 'dirt' in them – tones that feel lived-in and nuanced,' say Mallory and Elizabeth. 'These slightly muddied hues still bring color and energy, but with a sophistication and warmth that feels far more current.'

Whether you're planning your next living room color scheme or are on the lookout for stylish bedroom color ideas, these outdated color trends may be best avoided if you want your space to feel current. 2026 trends are moving away from overdone, shades to more nuanced, muddied versions of what was once popular – think earthy greens, rusty oranges, orche yellow,s and deep burgundies.

Christmas decorating has become as much about self-expression as tradition, and the best high street brands now offer collections that balance craftsmanship, quality, and personality. Whether your taste leans classic and refined or playful and layered, this season’s designs bring polish and imagination to every corner of the home.

What makes these collections stand out is their ability to feel both accessible and aspirational. Here are our favourites to shop this festive season.

Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn might not be the first name that springs to mind for high street Christmas decorations, but its collection is impressively elegant and beautifully made. The American brand, which has recently launched here in the UK, takes a timeless approach to seasonal decorating, focusing on quality materials and subtle nostalgic charm. It's Gingerbread Collection, for instance, reminds us of Christmases past, and its Christmas Bed Linen seems plucked from a Hallmark Christmas movie. For those looking to elevate their festive decorating without leaning into overt trends, Pottery Barn offers pieces that feel enduring and beautifully understated.

Rowen & Wren

Rowen & Wren offers Christmas decorations that feel effortlessly handcrafted and full of character. Its collection captures the essence of the vintage Christmas decor trend, blending timeless materials with a muted, nostalgic palette. Hand-painted baubles, brass garlands, and paper ornaments are designed to layer seamlessly into a home, offering a subtle way to bring a heritage feel and warmth into festive decorating.

The White Company

The White Company has long been known for its refined simplicity, and its Christmas collection captures that same calm elegance. Expect a colour palette of whites, silvers and soft neutrals, along with plenty of natural textures such as linen, wood and glass.

Everything in The White Company's Christmas Collection feels serene and cohesive, creating a festive look that is more about atmosphere than excess. Whether it is a cluster of miniature baubles or a pre-lit wreath, the focus is on quality and timelessness. For anyone who prefers understated luxury, The White Company’s decorations are reliably beautiful year after year.

Anthropologie

If you’re after festive decor with whimsical flair and a touch of theatricality, Anthropologie delivers. Perfect inspiration for anyone exploring maximalist Christmas decor ideas, Anthropologie's festive range is full of personality, the colours are rich, patterns are joyful, and there is always an unexpected detail that makes each piece stand out. Anthropologie is perfect for those who want their Christmas decor to feel expressive and individual, blending creativity with a hint of nostalgia.

H&M Home

H&M has become one of the most interesting high street brands for affordable yet stylish Christmas decorations. H&M's Christmas collection combines trend-led design with practical accessibility, offering pieces that look far more expensive than they are. Think metallic candle holders, velvet ribbons, and textured baubles in warm, earthy tones. The overall aesthetic is modern but inviting, with a mix of materials that add depth and warmth to any festive setting. It is an easy way to refresh your Christmas look without overcommitting to a single style.

John Lewis

John Lewis remains a cornerstone of British Christmas decorating, but in recent years its offering has become genuinely inspiring. The brand has several different holiday decor themes, and each collection is large, so it makes it easy to curate a cohesive look, whether you prefer classic reds and golds or something more contemporary. There are beautifully made tree ornaments, wreaths, and garlands, all designed with the dependable quality we have come to know and love John Lewis for.

'Christmas trees are always at their best when they feel like you, personality and colour truly go a long way,' says Cotswolds-based interior designer, Sean Symington

'We love adding depth with unexpected textures: velvet ribbons in rich, punchy tones tied into loose bows and ornaments that have a bit of charm to them, whether it’s a tiny woodland creature or something you’ve picked up over the years. It’s those little touches that bring in the whimsy, warmth, and story. And to finish it all off, we love popping the base into a simple wicker basket for that effortlessly polished, elevated look.'

When it comes to decorating for Christmas, it is easy to focus on individual pieces rather than the overall look of a room. Expert advice can help guide how to make festive touches feel considered and stylish rather than scattered or overly themed.

Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors here at Homes & Gardens, advises, 'For me, Christmas decor should be an extension of your interior style. Your decorations should sit comfortably in the room just as your rug, your pillows, or your bed sheets do, but with a little extra sparkle, of course. That is why these high-street stores can be such great sources. They are not simply following the big Christmas trends of the year, but the broader interior design trends and styles, which makes it easy to create a cohesive, stylish festive look.'

With so many high street brands now offering thoughtfully designed decorations, it has never been easier to create a festive home that feels both stylish and personal. From baubles and garlands to statement pieces, each selection allows you to layer texture, colour, and charm in a way that reflects your interior style. Don’t forget the finishing touches: it is worth taking the time to shop for Christmas tree skirts and coordinating accessories, as these small details can bring the whole look together and elevate your festive decorating.

As with any open-plan concept, zoning was going to be key to creating spaces that were equal parts cozy and cohesive for relaxing, family meals, and entertaining guests. The open plan living and dining room in Heidi's aptly named Treehouse project is the perfect example of this, where a thoughtful furniture layout has transformed the large room into a cozy family space that feels connected and cohesive with perfectly zoned nooks.

Heidi and her sister-in-law, Katie Judkins, who make up the design firm, Heidi Lachapelle Interiors, took on this new home project with the brief to create a home that felt both 'formal and traditional in keeping with the neighboring lakeside homes.'

'As it was a new build, the home was built according to plan. It was designed to house and entertain many family members and friends and has an open floor plan to facilitate family time,' explains designer Heidi.

'We took a more pared-back approach to the interior architecture and introduced some more playful elements to reflect the young and active families who call it home in the summertime,' Heidi explains.

One room where this approach is clearly evident is the open plan living room and dining space, where a generously sized room has been artfully decorated and arranged to feel less vast and more like a cozy retreat.

It's the furniture that signals the different spaces and uses, giving each zone its own identity. 'We separated the living space into two different zones: one space for TV watching and the other space for game playing and entertaining,' says Heidi.

'The large and comfortable sectional provides ample space for the family to relax and watch movies. The more upright blue checked sofa is perfect for sitting and visiting with family and friends,' she adds.

You can instantly feel the cozier, less formal atmosphere in the snug area that almost reads like a keeping room. It's slouchier, more intimate, and invites you to sink and relax. But the secondary seating area is the opposite – and it's home to the feature that's perhaps the most striking of the open-plan room.

The blue tones of the couch are picked up throughout the room via the upholstery, from the cushions on the dining seating to the throws on the sofa in the snug area. There's also a thread of natural materials, most prevalent in the main dining area.

'The dining space is anchored with two large China cabinets that help ground the space. The blue cushions provide a bit of color to the otherwise neutral space. Here it's all about the strong forms of the chairs, table, and light fixture,' Heidi explains.

She has created a truly classic look with the Senate Dining Chairs from Sawkille Co., adding seat cushions upholstered in Rose Tarlow's Dorset Ink linen fabric with piping in Karun Thakar's Jasmine and Frangipani fabric, to tie in the hues throughout the open-plan room.

The Classic High Arm Sofa from Nicky Kehoe really creates separation between the living and dining spaces. The simple act of rotating it so the back faces the dining nook defines those separate uses and signals different zones. It's a brilliant way to create smaller spaces and cozier areas without completely dividing the room.

The result? The boldly patterned couch, upholstered in Schumacher's Camden Cotton Check Fabric in Indigo, becomes the defining feature. 'The blue checked sofa is a big expression of pattern, but feels harmonious with the other choices in the room and provides visual balance to the mustard yellow cabinet,' Heidi notes.

'Many antiques featured in the home were sourced from nearby, local antique shops. The selection of weathered antique oil paintings and character-filled vessels provides a grounding balance to the brand new furniture pieces throughout the home.'

This project really is a lesson in designing an open-plan room that feels spacious and cohesive yet still zoned and cozy. There's a warmth to this scheme that feels inviting and comforting – an atmosphere that's not easy to create in a sprawling space.

'A good floor plan is key. It's also important to use properly scaled furniture pieces to really fill out the environment and to help avoid large empty pockets of space. Lots of closed storage also helps to create a comfortable and clean space that's not overloaded with stuff,' she advises.

Shop the Look

In many ways, this design is the blueprint for making your open-plan space feel more defined. It takes elements of cozy interiors and blends them with modern, open-format living, perfect for hosting and family life, proving that something as simple as your furniture layout can make all the difference to the success of your design.

Morris & Co. loyalists will recognize the familiar climbing branches and scattered acorns of the Oak pattern – now softened into a calming Leafy Green – or the scrolling acanthus leaves of Double Bough, originally designed by John Henry Dearle in 1892 and reissued for 2025 with a vivid, contemporary pop against Webbs Blue.

On Piglet’s end, icons were just as obviously in order – reinterpreting Morris & Co.’s nature-driven motifs in its signature best bed sheet blends of linen and crisp 100 percent cotton percale, all pre-washed (of course) for that soft, lived-in feel Piglet has made its calling card.

‘The idea for this collection sparked during a period of rediscovery,’ says Piglet in Bed’s Design Manager, Adam Crick. ‘We saw a growing desire for authenticity, storytelling, and craft in interiors. Morris & Co.’s legacy of intricate, nature-based patterns felt like the perfect answer to this moment,’ he says.

The collaboration’s romantic, nostalgic layers are the ideal way to mix patterns ahead of cozy season – or to lean into the subtler side of maximalism through the year’s most modest bedding trend: the ‘surprise' fitted sheet, essentially maximalism for minimalists.

Whether you choose to layer these heritage designs from top to bottom or simply mix in a pop with a pillowcase, centuries of history can’t be wrong. No matter which motif you choose or how you style it, it’s timeless – and, in Piglet’s fan-favorite fabrications, deeply dreamy, too.

Creating this characterful collaboration, two masters in their own right found common ground in the most personal of places: the bedroom. Explore more interior design ideas to make your new sheets sing.

In our recent Layered Lives interview with Victoria, she talked about what she calls her 'new American classic' look – polished but never precious, luxurious yet deeply liveable. Furniture is sculptural but comfortable, materials are natural and inviting, and every room has a thoughtful sense of calm. And here, in her own words, she explains the key rules she always abides by when putting spaces together, imbuing them with elegance, longevity, and soul.

Victoria Hagan has pioneered a look that sets the tone for how many of us decorate today. She creates spaces that mix eras, colors, and textures – yet all have room to breathe and are deeply functional.

‘I design homes for the way people want to live, and create rooms specifically for how they’re going to be used,’ she says. Her approach – pairs of chairs, oversized rugs, well-proportioned pieces, and a palette that often features marine blues, grays, and whites – has come to define her influential aesthetic. And these are her rules for getting it right.

1. Ensure You Have Balance

I’m drawn to balance in interior design, and every room needs to be balanced. This can come from the colors used or the proportion of the pieces you've chosen, but it also always needs to include the right balance between furniture and flow.

For example, one of the first things I'll do in any project is sit in every single chair, and insist that the people on site with me sit in the chairs surrounding me. I'll pretend we're all having dinner at the table, or a coffee in the living room, and then I'll get up to make sure there is enough space to walk around each person while they're still sitting. Sometimes, taking half an inch off the seat can make all the difference, giving you that extra bit of width to move behind it. That balance is key to a successful room.

2. Abide by the 3-Second Color Rule

When picking colors for a scheme, I have one very clear rule. I'll show my clients various swatches, and if they pause on any of them for longer than three seconds, then it's a no. This is a method anyone can try. If you don't love something instantly (or within three seconds), it's a no.

And don't expect to get all your colors sorted in one go. Load up a table with swatches and do an edit, then come back a day or two later with more swatches and go again. The more comfortable you get with the process, the more times you do it, the more refined the overall scheme will be.

3. Rugs Must Be Oversized

When considering the best rug size, I always recommend it should be almost as large as the room that it's going in – certainly big enough for all the furniture to sit on it. I don't like furniture when it's half on and half off the rug – this makes the scale of the whole space seem off.

How large rugs work is by unifying the space – bringing everything together in one area. They also make the overall space seem more relaxed and with a level of elegance that just feels good.

4. You Need to Be Adaptable

Art is more than a finishing touch – often it's the most important ingredient when it comes to piecing a refined room together.

But what I've learned is that while you can map it all out before a project, deciding which pieces of art go where, you have to be flexible when it comes to the actual installation. So many times I've put the art where I planned it would go and instead realized it had more power on an adjoining wall, or next to a different piece of art.

Design is about being adaptable, and having the confidence to change your mind. It's only when you allow for this that your vision can truly be realized.

5. Allow for Contrast

Proportion and scale in interior design are everything. The rightness of a space comes from when you have the scale and proportion of every element exactly right.

Someone once told me that the human body is perfectly proportioned, designed so that if you lie on your side, your knees fit together perfectly. You need to replicate this sense of exactness in your furniture choices. A wing chair, that is much taller than your average club chair, will cocoon a person and make them feel comfortable, but then you need to focus on the proportion of what is around it – too many pieces that size will block out the light from the windows, or break the sight lines into the adjoining room.

So, think about proportion as much as we already do about materiality and color, and ensure that there are some larger pieces contrasted by some smaller ones. This will help you understand the space and its volume.

6. Plan Precise Heights

Different people have different senses of what comfort means to them. I love a sofa that you can sink into, but others might prefer something more straight-backed or a little higher off the ground so that it’s easier to get up from.

A key idea I use to design the perfect space for someone is to gauge whether they like to ‘sit soft’ or not, and then choose the ideal furniture height for them – every other piece needs to correspond exactly so you’re not reaching down too low for the coffee table or craning your neck to see the TV.

Most people like to sit about 16 or 17 inches off the ground, but some might prefer as high as 19. Understanding your comfort levels – and the height of the furniture that supports them – is the knowledge that will help you create magic in your design.

7. Don't Discount Negative Space

Lastly, proportion can’t exist without a focus on negative space – the air that flows between the furniture and objects in a room. I was working on a large living room in Washington and was struck by just how big it was. I needed to make sure the scale was right, but it was challenging.

I quickly learned that it was about lengthening pieces like the tables and sofas rather than increasing their height. Nobody wants a room where everything feels oversized – you don’t grow a foot just because the room is large! What I needed was to let the negative space – the area above and around the furniture – sing, rather than cram it with big pieces.

To create the New American Classic at home, the trick is for every item to feel considered – based on how comfortable it is, whether it’s the right height, and whether you have enough space to move around it. On top of those key factors, you can layer decorative pieces in palettes of blues, grays, whites, and creams, making sure there’s still plenty of air so rooms never feel stuffy or overfilled.

This look that Victoria pioneered is the cornerstone of modern design – and it continues to inform how many decorators and designers put rooms together today.

Based on Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel and its various film adaptations, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic embraces the simplicity of the holiday season by means of charming and evocative home decor. This Christmas decorating theme leans into 'nostalgia-core', or a yearning for the peace, comfort, and childlike joy of Christmases past. It's no surprise that this aesthetic is such a popular trend this year, as it 'captures what people are craving right now: more warmth, more color, more character,' interior designer Terri Brien explains. 'It’s sentimental and layered, with a feeling of nostalgia and comfort that is just perfect for the holidays.'

Unlike other holiday trends that might only speak to certain personalities or interior design styles, there's something universal about the Little Women Christmas aesthetic. It embodies the essence of the Christmas holiday itself, not only through its colors and its decorations, but through the feeling it establishes within individuals.

Even if you've never read Alcott's classic novel or seen any of the films, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic is not hard to imagine. Just picture yourself in a cozy Christmas living room with a modest-sized Christmas tree in the corner, decorated with homemade paper and felt ornaments. A fireplace crackles in the background, and from its mantel hangs a collection of patchwork stockings and fresh garland. The feeling is warm, inviting, and humble – nothing is too curated or too pretentious. Rather, the holiday decor holds sentimental value, the atmosphere feels like an affectionate embrace, and the room itself reflects the personalities of its inhabitants.

'This aesthetic evokes the feeling of being welcomed in and truly cared for,' interior designer Lauren Saab explains. 'The goal is not to impress. It is to offer comfort. When a room feels easy to exhale in, you have achieved the mood.'

According to Terri, rooms that embody the Little Women Christmas aesthetic hold a lived-in charm. These spaces feel as though they've been built over time, and they're layered with rich character. 'There’s a softness to the aesthetic,' she says. 'Think candlelight glow, pattern play, wood tones, handmade and vintage touches.'

A traditional Christmas color scheme can certainly benefit the Little Women Christmas aesthetic, but it goes beyond decking the halls with red and green. The colors that make the most impact in this aesthetic are the nuanced shades, like deeper reds, rich greens, patinaed metallic tones that add some shine, and neutral shades that ground the display. 'It’s less about everything matching, and more about creating a sense of warmth and belonging,' Terri advises.

Texture plays a role, too, and especially textures that 'lean warm rather than sleek', Lauren tells me. Woven wool certainly leans that way, like this Wool Blend Fisherman Knit Throw Blanket. Brushed brass decor does too, like this Vintage-Inspired Brass Rocking Horse.

Lauren also makes note of lighting and the ways in which a thoughtful lighting scheme can benefit a home to match the Little Women Christmas aesthetic. 'Table lamps and candlelight will create a gentle ambiance that no amount of overhead lighting can replicate,' she says. Try adding this Vintage Brass Taper Candle Holder to your holiday tablescape to achieve that warm and inviting look.

As for the decorations themselves, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic prioritizes homemade, DIY Christmas crafts over mass-produced, overly-trendy designs. This reflects the decorations that the March girls made for their own family home. According to Lauren, 'handmade decorations bring an element of time and history to your space, which shifts the emphasis away from perfectionism and towards presence.'

Homemade decorations could take any form, and as Terri says, they 'add to that nostalgic feeling'. Terri suggests stringing dried oranges tied with velvet ribbon (like this Silk Velvet Ribbon) through your Christmas tree, hanging handmade cranberry garlands from your mantel, and even snipping greenery from your garden to display indoors. Lauren thinks similarly and recommends displaying handwritten holiday cards as another sentimental touch.

'These elements tell a story,' Lauren says of homemade details. 'They make the holiday feel grounded in real life rather than performance. Even if you pair homemade pieces with store-bought items, the spirit is what matters. Handmade adds heart.'

Through sentiment, mood, and certain decor features, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic can be translated to a modern context. But the truth is, our interiors look drastically different than homes of 19th-century New England – so how does this aesthetic adapt to a modern context without looking out of place?

'To keep the Little Women Christmas aesthetic from feeling dated or too rustic, it’s all about balance – mixing vintage pieces like brass candlesticks or old glassware with cleaner lines and the lighter, more modern spaces of today as the backdrop,' Terri explains. 'That blend of cozy, time-worn charm and refined, transitional elements is what makes it feel timeless instead of themed.'

As for any holiday decor ideas, it's important to establish rhythm between your existing decor, and that which you add. 'Start by anchoring the space with clean lines and let the charm come from the layers,' Lauren suggests. 'For example, a modern sofa can instantly feel more nostalgic when paired with a vintage plaid throw. Similarly, a simple round dining table can immediately feel like a place of memory when adorned with taper candles and some greenery.'

To achieve the Little Women Christmas aesthetic in your interiors, you don't have to turn your home into a replica of the March's. It's quite the opposite, actually. 'Keep major furnishings clean and timeless, then add the historical references through textiles, books, ribbon, and candlelight,' Lauren says. 'The balance is achieved when the space feels cozy and familiar without feeling like a set. Modern bones. Historical soul.'

'At its core, this look fulfills a deeper need – a desire for home to feel personal again. After years of pared-back minimalism, people want spaces with soul,' Terri muses. The Little Women Christmas aesthetic undoubtedly delivers that soul and radiates a sense of charming nostalgia that few interior design trends can replicate.

The Little Women Christmas Edit

Although the Little Women Christmas aesthetic thrives on homemade decorations, get your home started with these store-bought Christmas finds that look like they'd belong in the March family home. They'll tastefully complement any handmade Christmas decorations that you eventually decide to make.

The Little Women Christmas aesthetic isn't the only decorating trend that's having a major moment this holiday season. Meet the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic – a decor style that's just as characterful, but brings a bit more chicness and sophistication.

What the season needs now is something still rustic, still within that charming Christmas decor wheelhouse, but with a little more range – a brief break from the evergreen.

Lately, I’ve been into ALDI’s Wooden Beaded Garland for exactly that reason. Made by Merry Moments, it nods to the Christmas tree (wood, obviously) but transforms the material into something sculptural, almost jewelry-like. Somehow, at just $4.99, it keeps the treescape elevated but unfussy (how I prefer any holiday gathering) and adds a touch of boho-ish restraint to all the glitter and gloss.

And the tree is just the beginning. Wooden beads look just as chic swagged across a Christmas mantel, serpentine-style down a holiday table, or – my personal favorite – draped over a doorway to frame a little mistletoe. ALDI’s version runs twelve feet long, so there’s plenty of room to improvise.

They’re also ideal for layering. Christmas decor can skew a little evergreen-heavy, but pairing pine with wood lends some much-needed texture and depth. For fellow magpies, it’s the perfect counterbalance to metallics and glass. And if you’ve got a spare pedestal bowl lying around, fill it with the beads for an easy vignette that feels artful in a laissez-faire, ‘I just threw this together’ kind of way.

Every brand seems to have a take right now – some in warm, natural tones, others strung with pops of color (a micro-Christmas decor trend in its own right) – but either way, it’s hard to beat the tactile, timeless charm of carved wood this time of year.

Shop Wooden Beaded Garland

Wooden beads bring a cool, collected touch to the holidays – not just for trees, but for wherever you feel like adding a little texture. I’ve rounded up my favorites to drape, swag, or scatter anywhere that could use a quieter kind of sparkle.

Wooden garland isn't the only trend ALDI's bringing back this season. See why the retailer's clip-on Christmas bow ornaments might make for a perfect pairing.

Which is why your dining room lighting ideas can be some of the trickiest to get right. You want to create the same warmth and coziness as a living space, but ditching the big light is a big no when it comes to functionality. So what's the solution?

It turns out, interior designers have mastered the perfect formula for lighting a dining room that combines the best of cozy ambiance and function for the perfect hosting space.

1. Start With Layers

For most people, the dining room is the heart of the hosting season. It's where you gather with loved ones and enjoy a home-cooked meal together. But as a social and dining space, how can you get the lighting scheme right?

'I always start with layers. Layers in lighting are crucial to having a well-planned lighting formula,' says Michelle Murphy, founder and designer at DEMI RYAN, who emphasizes the need for different sources to balance function with softer ambiance.

'Overhead, ambient, and accent lighting, a chandelier or statement pendant anchors the space, while sconces, picture lights, or even small lamps on a console soften the room. I find a 2:1 ratio of ambient to accent lighting creates a balanced glow that feels both intentional and inviting,' she explains.

As well as layering these three different types of lighting, Kate Aslangul, founder and creative director of Oakley Moore, explains that layering fixtures at different heights within the dining room is important, too.

'I like to layer light at different heights: wall lights, table lamps, and either a single central pendant over a small table, or an uneven multiple of pendants for one that is longer, to add depth and warmth. Pendants should hang around 90cm (35") above the table to create intimacy.'

2. Choose a Soft but Statement Ceiling Light

One of the biggest factors in dining room lighting is that the ceiling light plays a huge role in a successful scheme – it makes a strong case for keeping the controversial big light in this cozy-meets-practical room. And there are plenty of ways to make it a beautiful focal point.

'I'm a big fan of a chandelier as a focal point in the dining room, so I definitely do not ditch the overhead light here. Chandeliers with glass drops and candles creating reflections in the glass have been used to light dining spaces for centuries, and we still try to create that same intimate atmosphere today,' explains Jo Plant, Pooky Lighting's chief creative director.

For a dappled lighting effect, the Glacier Chandelier by Regina Andrew is a stylish choice, or for something more classic, the Rita Chandelier from Pooky would look beautiful above a dining table.

It's also worth considering how the light diffuses from your chosen fixture. 'The key is to soften it. If the pendant is directly above the table, choose a shade that diffuses rather than exposes light,' says Pia Pelkonen, creative director at Pia Design.

'A frosted glass globe or a fabric shade creates a gentle glow instead of harsh shadows. Bringing the pendant lower to the table also instantly makes the space feel more intimate and connected,' she explains.

3. Use the Right Bulb Temperature and Make Light Dimmable

It's easy to focus on the fixtures you introduce and where you locate them, but there is much more to a strong lighting formula that makes it soft, warm, and ambient. For designers, installing dimmers and choosing the right bulb warmth is key.

'Since dining rooms come into their own in the evening, lighting is the key to creating atmosphere. Every circuit should be on a dimmer as it’s the only way to achieve that sense of mood and flexibility,' says Kate.

'Dimmers and correct bulb temperatures are key in dining areas,' Jo agrees. 'Always have your lights on a central dimmer and never use a bulb with more than 2700K for a warm and inviting atmosphere. This is definitely the most flattering light for late-night dinner party conversation!'

And while it's most typical to just have a dimmer for the overhead or ceiling light, which is often considered the most harsh, Michelle explains that it can actually be more beneficial to make all hard-wired lighting dimmable.

'To me, dimmers are non-negotiable; they let you sculpt the light depending on the mood. Layering multiple dimmable sources creates a space that feels alive and flexible rather than static. We encourage our clients to always add them; you will never be sorry that a light fixture is on a dimmer.'

Make sure you buy fixtures that are compatible with dimmers. This Brushed Gold Chandelier from Wayfair is a chic choice, and if you're looking for a warmer glow, these GE Soft White Lightbulbs come well-reviewed.

4. Don't Forget to Add Candlelight and Decorative Lighting

Once you've combed through the dos and don'ts of choosing fixtures, installing dimmers, and selecting the right bulb temperatures, it's finally time to focus on decorative lighting. It's those small details that are less about function and more about atmosphere and aesthetics. In short, it's the fun part.

'The essential finishing touch and the most flattering light of all on any dining table is candlelight; don’t hold back, position the candles at differing heights on the table, and there should be lots of them, it looks generous and makes guests feel special and welcome,' says Kate.

You can add any style of candles to your dining room, but there's something so timeless and warming about taper candles. Classic white designs, like these Dripless White Candles, work, but as we head into hosting season, the moodier shade of these Taupe Taper Candles from McGee & Co. really appeals.

It's not just candles to think about, either, although they are among the most impactful, especially as part of a table centerpiece. Wall lights that aren't part of the functional lighting scheme also come into play here.

'Wall sconces or art lights bring a beautiful perimeter glow, while candles add intimacy at eye level. I often place a lamp or lamps on a sideboard to reflect light off nearby mirrors or artwork, which doubles the visual warmth,' explains Michelle.

Picture lights are an unexpected addition, but they are so effective if you want to highlight wall decor, whether it's a beautiful piece of artwork or open shelving. 'Picture lights draw attention to artwork and vertical surfaces, creating focal points and making the room feel richer,' adds Pia.

How you light a dining room is as much a stylistic choice as it is a functional one. In many ways, it's quite similar to kitchen lighting – you could even experiment with the lighting rule of three in your dining room for the best blend of soft light and function as we head into hosting season. It's also a great feature to switch up if you want to prepare your dining room for Christmas.

Ahead of Wicked's sequel, Wicked: For Good, which releases on November 21st, Ruggable has developed a collection of rugs that adapt the whimsical nature and fantastical design of the movie's characters and environment for your home. 'Our new Wicked: For Good Collection channels the world of Wicked through color, texture, and storytelling,' Claudia Kampmann, Europe Brand Manager at Ruggable tells me. 'Each design draws from the film’s iconic contrasts, light and dark, whimsy and mystery in rich emeralds, soft blushes, and gold accents.'

Whether your interior design style is more dark and moody like Elphaba's character, or you prefer light, airy, and whimsical styles that match Glinda's bubbly disposition, this collection is bound to have a rug style that can match your personality and benefit the aesthetic of your home.

Some of the rugs from this collection display the Wicked aesthetic in an obvious manner, like the Emerald City doormat or the Yellow Brick Road runner rug. If you're a diehard fan of the movie, the play, or even the book, you'll definitely want to include these styles in your home – one as an entryway doormat and perhaps the other as a kitchen rug.

However, this collection is also complete with other rug styles that capture the essence of Oz, but aren't as on-the-nose – styles that are certainly Wicked-inspired, but have been designed in a more livable manner. Take Elphaba's Lair Emerald Rug, for instance. Despite this rug's deep green color, which is an obvious nod to the Wicked Witch of the West, this rug is surprisingly versatile. It's a livable living room rug idea that can look good in any setting.

Since many of these rugs are bold in their designs, Claudia suggests styling them as the focal point of a room. 'To style these rugs with lasting appeal, let them be the statement piece in a balanced, neutral setting,' they advise. 'Pair the bolder emerald tones with warm woods and creamy neutrals, or the soft blushes with gold and ivory accents for an airy sophistication. Keep the surrounding decor simple and cohesive so the rug’s artistry stands out without overwhelming the space.'

Each rug in this collection was designed to reflect the world of Wicked in one way or another – its characters and their distinct personalities, the land in which the Wicked takes place, and even the themes of the story itself. Aside from filling your home with color and whimsical charm, these rugs are bound to make the rooms in your home feel immensely more characterful.

Shop Ruggable's 'Wicked' Collection

With some styles that very obviously reflect the Wicked franchise, and others that lean into modern-day rug trends, this Ruggable x Wicked collaboration has something for everyone – diehard Wicked fans who want to decorate their home like Oz, and those who simply appreciate Wicked and love decor that subtly hints at it.

Regardless of the style you choose, all of these rugs are beautiful representations of a well-loved franchise. Trust me, these rugs can change the design of any room, for good.

The couple bought the house, which was originally two cottages, three years ago as a bolthole from London – Sophie grew up in Wiltshire and has family in the area, and both she and Freddie went to school nearby.

Panoramic views of the Alton Barnes White Horse and Salisbury Plain, along with the cottage’s inherent charm, ensured instant appeal. ‘It just felt right. We wanted something totally different from being in a city,’ says Sophie. ‘Everyone told us we were mad buying a thatched cottage, but it has a charm that other houses we viewed didn’t have. We liked that it had history and that it was very quirky inside – everything’s slightly wonky, and we love the beams and low ceilings.’

Against the lacework of ancient timbers, Sophie, whose signature style celebrates color and pattern, has crafted a cozy and cocooning interior that showcases verve and vibrancy. ‘We wanted to bring in youth and fun,’ she says. ‘I lean heavily toward color and pattern – not necessarily overpoweringly so, but my interiors were never going to consist of muted tones.’

Throughout the downstairs, the walls are dressed in a soothing blush pink, ensuring cohesiveness. ‘By painting all the walls the same hue, it made the interior feel more spacious, too,’ she says. ‘It’s a very warm, cozy shade, but it doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a bright pink or colorful space, so you can then add in bold pops.’ Rich jewel tones were carefully chosen to inject drama, with fabrics often serving as the starting point for many schemes, including the kitchen, where the eye-catching emerald-green blind fabric makes a statement. ‘I loved the fabric with its leaves and trees and built everything around it,’ she says.

Sophie describes the kitchen as the hardest room in the house to decorate because it has the lowest ceilings, as well as a large inglenook fireplace where the original fire had been removed, resulting in a somewhat cavernous space. Her solution was to position a handy drinks bar in the fireplace. In front of it stands a generous wooden dining table, with chairs painted in a festive green, providing the perfect spot for Yuletide entertaining.

Bold pattern and color are the cornerstones of the living room, too, where a zany leopard-print sofa rubs shoulders with a raspberry-red sofa and a blue velvet armchair.

‘I love leopard print,’ says Sophie, ‘so the sofa was a must-have.’ The hero curtain fabric inspired the kaleidoscope of colors woven throughout the room. An eclectic feel is enhanced by humorous artwork by Sophie’s aunt, Edwina Sandys, dotted along the walls, while pillar-box-red bannisters continue the thread of red and provide a festive backdrop to the Christmas tree.

The bannisters were originally painted white, ‘but they seemed to stand out, as there wasn’t anything else white going on.’ Sophie also felt they didn’t live up to the upstairs corridor, which is painted to resemble a verdant tree tunnel with branches meandering up to the ceiling, and is the pièce de résistance of the cottage.

The mural came about because, with all the beams, it wasn’t easy to hang artwork, so Sophie commissioned decorative artist Eliza Downes to paint what is now ‘my favorite thing in the house. I wanted to work with the beams, and the corridor is right up in the roof, so it feels like you’re walking through the tree canopy.’

Although the colors and fabrics are modern, Sophie has juxtaposed them with antique furniture from Vinterior and local antiques shops to evoke a timeless feel. ‘When we came here, we didn’t have any furniture, so we started from scratch,’ says Sophie. ‘We trawled through antiques markets and shops to find pieces so it didn’t look like we’d bought it all at once. We wanted to include pieces that felt as if they had been there forever.’ That blend of old and new certainly ensures the perfect country Christmas.

Luckily for us, Shea McGee's holiday collection at Target has all sorts of affordable holiday decor ideas, and right now, they're on sale. From the essentials, like Christmas ornaments and wreaths, to the decorative accents, like themed pillows and tabletop trinkets, Shea's Target collection is brimming with festive finds that can ring in the spirit of the season without overspending.

Plus, lots of Shea's Christmas decor at Target fits the style of one of the most popular holiday trends at the moment – the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic. With plaid printed ornaments, velvet stockings, and even brass decorations, Shea's Christmas decor captures the warmth and traditional charm of the trend in a timeless, effortless manner.

Shop The Studio McGee Sale at Target

If there's one thing I know about Shea McGee's Target collection, it's that the best products sell out before you know it – especially when they're on sale. So, I went through the pages to find the best Christmas decor from this collection that's still in stock and ready to ship to your house as soon as tomorrow.

Don't wait around – this flash sale won't last long, and these pieces won't stay in stock forever. Shop the best of Shea's Christmas collection at Target, below.

Like I said, Shea McGee's holiday decor at Target won't stay in stock for long, especially now that it's on sale. Get your Christmas decorating must-haves now while they're still available and discounted.

But decorating with antiques requires a careful balance – the wrong approach can leave your home feeling dated and dreary. And there are plenty of ways to modernize antique furniture so each piece feels characterful, timeless, and far from outdated.

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ways to modernize antique furniture and ensure it feels cohesive and beautifully styled in your schemes, according to designers who have seen and tried it all.

6 Ways to Modernize Antique Furniture

Making any modifications to antique furniture can feel like a daunting prospect. Often one-of-a-kind finds, you don't want to ruin the authentic character. But these small changes get the designer seal of approval and will give your antiques a refreshed look.

1. Style Antiques with Contemporary Accessories

One of the simplest ways to give your antique furniture a more modern feel is to pair it with contemporary decor. 'Tension is a designer’s favorite ingredient for creating interesting spaces. Luckily, this is fairly simple to do,' says Chloe Legras of Boxwood Avenue.

'When using antique furniture in a space, I love balancing it with modern accessories and decor that feature clean lines, like a minimal lamp, sleek frames, or modern chairs. Contemporary lighting is always a great way to add balance to a room with vintage pieces. Think of it like wearing lug boots with a dress – pair the unexpected!'

It's a method that's favored by designers for a reason – it gives room a unique feel that feels collected, considered, and evolved. And it's a look that Shani Core, founder and principal designer of Shani Core Interiors, has created in her own spaces.

'In the living area of my studio, the antique Rose Medallion garden stool acts as a holder for a vase of flowers and the occasional glass of champagne! It’s my opinion every room needs antiques to help create a unique story,' she says.

2. Reupholster Antique Chairs

It's not unusual to find a beautiful chair in an antique store in need of a slight refresh. often, the fabric might be a little worn out, the seat padding almost non-existent, and in some cases, the upholstery torn. But reupholstering is a great option, not just to refresh the furniture, but to give it a more up-to-date look that feels more in keeping with your interior design style.

'I always find a blended approach to interiors more characterful than opting for something that’s all trad or all contemporary. Taking a contemporary furnishing fabric and using it on an antique upholstered item is a great way of injecting new life into a preloved piece,' says interior designer Benji Lewis.

'French fauteuils particularly respond brilliantly to this because they don’t require much fabric, and being neat by design, they look fab with a splash of some modern textile to create the perfect accent chair,' he explains.

Shani has also embraced reupholstery in a recent project to great success. 'In a recently completed dining room, I found a set of four antique pencil rattan chairs that were in perfect condition except for the seat cushions,' she explains.

'We needed a set of six, so we designed new seat cushions in a beautiful tropical print and had a pair of captain’s chairs made to go on each end of the table. The result was better than if all six chairs were matching.'

For a bold look, consider something like the Tiger Jacquard Fabric by Sarah Sherman Samuel, or for a more classic look, the delicate stripes of Schumacher's Clyde Fabric are a lovely choice.

3. Repaint or Stain Tired Antique Furniture

When you want to refresh the rooms in your home, color instantly comes to mind. And the same applies to your antique furniture, especially if you want to breathe new life into a dresser, cabinet, or side table.

'Painting the outside one color and the inside another is a way of updating antique furniture. I also recommend wallpapering the back of a piece of furniture with glass fronts and flat backs to create depth and interest,' says Laura Gilbert of L. Gilbert Designs.

You don't have to repaint antique furniture a bold color, either, if that's not your style. Staining wooden designs so they read less orange and more natural wood can make a huge difference to the piece without taking away from its character and original look.

Shane Brown, founder of the beloved California design destinations Big Daddy’s Antiques and The Well, agrees, adding 'Refinish it and let it breathe. A fresh finish can completely transform an antique without erasing its history. It’s about balance – letting the soul of the piece shine while giving it a little edge.'

4. Swap Out the Hardware and Legs of Furniture

Always regarded as the jewelry of a room, hardware is one of those small but meaningful swaps that make all the difference to antique furniture. 'To modernize an antique piece, swapping hardware is an easy way to achieve a more modern look,' says Chloe.

It's a classic example of how mixing old and new can create a beautiful contrast that instantly enhances an old piece. A beautiful antique dresser refreshed with decorative knobs or a contemporary chrome handle creates a striking talking point.

And it also works the other way around, perfect if you have antique handles you want to utilize. 'Sourcing antique or vintage hardware, or adding castors to found pieces, is always a beautiful way to dress up the ordinary,' says Chloe, explaining that these small, subtle details make all the difference.

5. Juxtapose Antique Furniture with Modern Art

There's a joy in heading to your local antiques fairs to source one-of-a-kind art pieces, but designers say it can be more impactful to pair more contemporary works with antique furniture if you want to give it a more modern feel.

'A contemporary piece of artwork or a light instantly lifts a period piece, for example, an antique chest of drawers with a modern painting hanging above it,' says Benji, mentioning that the same approach works with 'an antique sofa with a contemporary table lamp beside it – it’s all about the considered blend.'

Kate Aslangul, founder and creative director of Oakley Moore, agrees, adding that 'The key is contrast; hang a bold contemporary painting above an antique piece, add an oversized table lamp and position one or two clean-lined objects, perhaps a sculptural vase or a sleek tray, alongside.'

6. Display Vintage Paintings in Contemporary Frames, and Vice Versa

Art is perhaps the most beloved way to decorate with vintage and antiques. It's an accessible way in to sourcing older decor, and it's also an area of focus for many designers when it comes to modernizing antiques.

'Adding vintage artwork to a sleek frame is a great option to add original artwork into a space while maintaining a clean and modern aesthetic,' says Chloe, who notes it can work both ways.

As well as pairing vintage or antique art in a modern frame, you can also pair contemporary art in a vintage frame. Both have the same effect, balancing the aesthetic and style of one another, as Shane explains.

'Hang a piece of modern art in an old frame, lean mirrors against the wall, build a gallery wall that blends centuries. It’s about contrast and conversation – let your antiques flirt with the modern world.'

Antique furniture brings so much character and interest to interiors, but it's important that it feels cohesive with your scheme. Modernizing antique pieces isn't about making them look brand new, but rather finding small ways to elevate and breathe new life into them.

Her projects are layered, effortlessly mixing old with new, high with low, to create spaces rich in depth and character. It's a style that's not meant to be copied, because its uniqueness is what makes it so interesting. However, that doesn't mean lessons can't be drawn from her transitional style spaces to inspire your own creativity.

We recently took a tour of her London home, which is, of course, the epitome of her layered, luxurious style, and learned more about Brigitta's key tips for balancing old and new to create spaces that feel as interesting and intriguing as her own.

'In the end, a home that balances old and new isn’t about trends or contrasts – it’s about creating a layered story,' explains Brigitta founder of Spinocchia Freund. 'Architecture provides the framework, craftsmanship brings depth, and thoughtful curation weaves emotion through every detail. It’s this interplay of past and present – permanence and possibility – that makes a space not only beautiful but truly memorable.'

Let the Architecture Lead the Story

Every home has its own inherent character – a spirit shaped by its proportions, structure, and past. The first step is always to listen to the architecture – how the space wants to flow, how it should feel, and how it will support the people who live there.

Respecting and restoring key architectural details grounds a design in authenticity. That might mean reinstating a stone staircase, revealing original moldings, or creating new paneling that honors the building’s history. These architectural gestures become the permanent soul of a home – timeless anchors that allow contemporary layers to feel at ease rather than imposed.

Brigitta's top tips: Layering can create a rich effect, so within a more modern space, consider using several tones of one color. This can be achieved simply with paint by adding a dado-height detail or breaking the wall with a darker tone above for a cozier atmosphere. Experiment with multiple shades of white across walls, timber, and soft furnishings to add depth.

Mix Eras But Always Curate With Intention

Curation is the art of composition – the process of finding pieces that resonate with the design narrative and assembling them into environments that are both visually compelling and purposeful. Each piece we choose carries its own story through material, provenance, design, or craftsmanship. Furniture plays a defining role in shaping how a space feels and is used.

In a recent traditionally proportioned interior, for example, we mixed Ron Arad’s Thick Vac Chair for Moroso with a Brazilian sideboard by Joaquim Tenreiro – layering in contemporary statements from female designers Lara Bohinc and Faye Toogood. This was balanced with pieces of no specific provenance discovered at Les Puces Saint Ouen, the Paris flea markets, and anchored by the client’s own Nakashima dining table and chairs. Every element had its place in conversation with its contemporaries – and together they created a composition that was rich, unexpected, and deeply personal.

I often mix periods and makers in this way – combining collectible design with bespoke commissions to create balance and meaning. Every selection is intentional and contributes to a cohesive whole – and it is precisely this interplay between eras, ideas, and materials that makes the mix so exciting.

Brigitta's top tips: A curated space does not need to be crowded. Clean lines and breathing space allow each object to have presence. Create small vignettes of interesting objects to bring personality to a room – a ceramic, a candle, and a vase of flowers grouped together can form a simple composition that draws the eye.

Revisit the pieces you already own. Recycle or trade what no longer serves you. Focus on buying less and buying well – letting every piece earn its place. Buying less and buying well is at the heart of my design philosophy. Each piece should have a purpose and a place – and when you choose thoughtfully, every object can be enjoyed for longer and gain meaning over time. There is no right or wrong, only what feels true to you. Spend time observing how you live in your home – and allow your surroundings to evolve with you.

Honour Craftsmanship To Always Add Character

Craftsmanship gives a home integrity, depth, and soul – it transforms a room from beautiful to truly meaningful. I seek out and collaborate with exceptional craftspeople whose work embodies centuries of skill and artistry – from cabinetmakers and metalworkers to ceramicists and textile artists.

Many of these collaborations stem from my involvement with organizations such as Sarabande, QEST, Cockpit Arts, and Heritage Crafts – all of whom champion process, material intelligence, and the preservation of skill. Through Collect Open, the initiative of Collect art fair supporting ambitious new work, I often work with artists at the start of their creative journeys. These partnerships infuse interiors with authenticity and character – while supporting the future of craft.

Brigitta's top tips: Artists creating original work are everywhere. Visiting local open studios is an engaging way to discover new pieces. If ceramics appeal, display them thoughtfully – by grouping them on a coffee table or shelf and moving them occasionally to change the rhythm of a room. Adding new accessories can shift the mood instantly – a handwoven throw or embroidered cushion adds texture and warmth as seasons change. Craftsmanship, quality, and intention are key – pieces chosen well endure and become more meaningful with time.

Layer Art and Design

Art and design, in my view, should exist in dialogue – not isolation. A painting can anchor a space, while a mid-century light introduces character and history. Sometimes a room is designed around a single artwork; other times the art punctuates the scheme – adding rhythm and narrative.

For Take a Seat at Harvey Nichols, I explored the chair as an object of meaning rather than utility – placing iconic pieces alongside contemporary works, some sculptural and others ergonomic. This dialogue between eras, forms, and intentions transforms a space from simply designed into deeply expressive. Each piece becomes a visual thread – weaving a larger story.

Brigitta's top tips: Consider how art sits within your home. Move a favorite piece to a new wall and notice how the space changes. Large artwork can fill and balance a blank wall, while smaller, more interesting pieces can enliven forgotten corners or narrow spaces. If an armchair feels tired, swap it for a vintage one in a contrasting color or material to add character. The placement of art and furniture should be thoughtful – creating flow, scale, and rhythm that feel personal and alive.

'I think a lot about bows when it's Christmastime,' Shea expressed in a recent video posted on Instagram. Each year, her 'bow decision' is a big one – finding the right size, the right color, and the right way to display this Christmas decorating idea is no easy feat. But this year, Shea's chosen a classic bow style to decorate her Christmas tree – a silky red ribbon bow with a wispy form and timeless, nostalgic appeal.

'I went with a 1.5" silk ribbon in this deep red that almost borders burgundy,' the designer explained in her video – a style that's just like the Wrinkled Faux Silk Ribbon from her homewares brand, McGee & Co. Of course, red is a traditional Christmas color, but the deeper shade of these bows brings an added a level of sophistication and cozy elegance.

Plus, these deep red bows work wonders in complementing the other adornments on Shea's tree, too. 'I get a lot of color from just that bow selection, and it completely changes all of the ornaments that I've collected over the years that are on my tree,' Shea remarked. The bows act as a dramatic yet tasteful pop of color that enhances the neutral tones of the other Christmas ornaments. Together, the wispy dark red bows and decorative ornaments create a dynamic and storied holiday display.

As for size, Shea tied these Christmas bows in a specific way to create a draping effect. 'I tied them really long because I wanted them to almost drape over and cover the full tree,' Shea remarked. From where the bow is tied, it drapes down over a few branches and lays over other ornaments, creating the wispy, effortless, and layered display.

Aside from the Christmas tree, Shea also incorporated a bow onto her Christmas mantel – only this bow is much larger and made from a white velvet ribbon. 'I'm so excited about how this turned out because it's a new look for my mantel,' Shea said about the mantel bow. This white bow is a tasteful addition that contrasts the red bows in size, but nonetheless enhances Shea's Christmas display.

From the tree to the mantel, the bows create a sense of continuity and cohesion in Shea's Christmas living room decor. Plus, they enhance the cozy, nostalgic holiday vibes in the space.

Shop Christmas Bow Decor from McGee & Co.

Bows have proven to be a Christmas decor feature that can spread holiday cheer around your home. Like in Shea's living room, these details add nostalgic holiday charm to the tree and the mantel, but they have the potential to do the same in lots of other parts of the home.

If you're interested in incorporating bow decor into your holiday setup this season, McGee & Co. has a selection of stylish bow decor that leans into the holiday trend. Find the perfect bow for your home from McGee & Co., below.

With their timeless, classic Christmas appeal, bows just so happen to be a feature of one of the year's biggest holiday trends – the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic. With an inclusion of bows, tartan, and some heirloom Christmas decor, you can achieve this aesthetic in your home this holiday season.

You probably first saw this Christmas decor idea as small, sculptural accents folded accordion-style, sitting neatly on mantels or consoles from modern, slightly contrarian brands like West Elm. Then came last Christmas, when the design-obsessed corner of the internet collectively decided that wasn’t enough. The trees grew – literally – scaling up to six, even seven feet tall. Now, in 2025, you're out of the loop entirely if you don't have one standing in your living room. The question is: could paper really dethrone pine?

According to the flood of home-fluencer videos featuring the Christmas tree idea (yes, already in early November), the answer seems to be absolutely. ‘I think it’s a beautiful evolution of a nostalgic idea,’ says interior designer Nina Lichtenstein. ‘The honeycomb design brings a tactile, sculptural quality that feels fresh yet comfortingly familiar. There’s something joyful about the way it unfolds into shape, almost like origami meets holiday tradition. It’s approachable, sustainable, and whimsical in the best way.’

They’re also, frankly, a lot more practical. A paper tree doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It’s not trying to pass for a $4,000 fir, nor does it shed or demand storage the size of a coffin. These fold flat like fans, slip under a bed, and reappear next year just as crisp.

‘I love the honeycomb paper tree trend,’ says interior designer Elizabeth Vergara of Vergara Homes. ‘They photograph well, look stylish, make decor accessible, and are an easily storable option to other trees. They bring a fun yet sophisticated energy into a space. They look high-class, but the fact that they’re paper gives off a crafty feel that’s more homey.’

Fortunately for fans, the paper Christmas tree trend has graduated from the design with a capital 'D' corners of the internet to big-box ubiquity. You’ll find versions from Holiday Time (Walmart), Northlight Seasonal (Target, Wayfair), and even Nordstrom – a far cry from last year’s seemingly influencer-only drops. Suddenly, any reservations about the quality of a suspiciously affordable, avant-garde accordion Christmas tree the size of a sixth grader have vanished. They really are that good.

‘I’d pair them with simple materials that echo their geometry, such as woven baskets, felt garlands, or twinkling fairy lights,’ says Nina. ‘They’re striking enough to stand alone in an entryway or beside a console, but they also layer beautifully among greenery or metallic accents. The key is to let their shape breathe so their texture remains the star.’

As for the Christmas tree trend's staying power, opinions split. Nina thinks they’re here to stay – a modern classic in the making – while Elizabeth calls it ‘a fleeting TikTok moment.’ She adds, ‘I think some people will keep using them over the years, but it won’t be deemed a “classic.”’

Still, at these price points, is that really so bad? A few good years of joy – and the smug satisfaction of knowing your decor is smarter, chicer, and easier to store than your neighbor’s – feels like a fair shake. Shop six honeycomb trees that just might convince you to take the paper route this season.

For the festive few who like to color outside the gift box, the options go far beyond fir. Paper, tinsel, stacked books, even sculptural logs – there’s an alternative Christmas tree idea for every kind of aesthete. And if, after all that, you find yourself craving tradition, the thoughtfully bridled, tartan-clad ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ trend might be your cue to come home to classic.

From the rise of teal interiors to the continuation of red color schemes, 2026 is set to be a color-confident year, favoring bold yet soothing shades that celebrate the mood-boosting power of color.

Here, you can take a deep dive into the biggest color trends for 2026 that interior designers and color specialists are championing above all others. Whether you enjoy bold room color ideas or the timeless appeal of neutrals, these seven shades can be adapted to so many decorating styles.

1. Tranquil Teals

Blending the soothing tones of blue and green, 2026 is set to see the rise of decorating with teal, which offers a tranquil and bold look. This hue has been cropping up in many homes, but it is further cemented as a key trend for the year ahead since Behr's Hidden Gem was revealed as the paint brand's Color of the Year for 2026.

'People are leaning into more blues and greens, as they want a paint color that makes a statement yet remains subtle,' explains Erika Woelfel, Behr’s vice president of color and creative services. 'Hidden Gem is a smoky jade that embodies both understated elegance and timeless sophistication. It's a rich blend of blue and green that is highly versatile for many areas of the home.'

Interior designers are also championing the use of blue-greens for the year ahead, not least because of their association with the natural world. 'The best blue-greens feel like they came right from nature, such as moss, eucalyptus, and lichen,' says Lauren Saab of Dallas-based Saab Studios. 'They can ground a room, but still feel alive, and pair beautifully with travertine, light oak, and aged brass, which let the color breathe instead of compete.'

'We love the direction of Behr’s Hidden Gem,' adds Marli Jones, the creative director at Chicago-based design studio Rebel House. 'It’s a fresh, calming blue-green shade that’s slightly unexpected and a perfect choice for color-drenching a smaller space like a powder room, or going bold and drenching a kitchen, all without making the space feel overwhelming.'

2. Mellow Reds

Decorating with red has seen huge appeal this year, and that's set to continue into 2026. But instead of vibrant cherry reds, experts are pointing towards earthy, mellow shades, which ground a scheme with richness and sophistication.

'When I think about the color that’s going to define 2026, it has to be Red 06 from our 2026 Color Edit,' says Tash Bradley, director of interior design at paint brand Lick. 'It’s a rich, sophisticated berry red with soft lilac undertones that feels both luxurious and grounding. It’s bold without being overpowering, the kind of color that instantly makes a room feel cocooning and full of character.'

'What’s exciting about next year is that people are being so much braver with color –they’re creating schemes that feel deeply personal, and that’s exactly what this shade encourages,' adds Tash.

Red's appeal is echoed by the Texas-based designer, Marie Flanigan, who is favoring similar hues for the months to come. 'For 2026, I’m drawn to rich, grounded reds, particularly Sherwin-Williams’ Carriage Door and Aurora Brown. Carriage Door is a deep burgundy that feels sophisticated and timeless, while Aurora Brown is an earthy, warm tone with subtle red and violet undertones.'

'These shades are perfect for “jewel box” rooms where intimacy and drama are key – think a butler’s pantry, a bar, or a lounge area,' adds Marie. 'They can be layered on walls, cabinetry, or even incorporated in textiles like upholstered seating, rugs, and throw pillows. Pair them with soft neutrals, natural wood, or brass accents to create warmth, balance, and a sense of quiet sophistication.'

3. Uplifting Yellows

Butter yellow was one of the most defining color trends this year, and for 2026, experts predict this happy shade to continue in popularity, whether that's with vibrant yellow room ideas or with the more grounding ochre.

'I think we’ll see yellow used more frequently in 2026 – it is already growing in popularity,' says Courtnay Tartt Elias, the creative director at Houston-based Creative Tonic Design. 'Kitchen Aid came out with a yellow for appliances this year, which I think is a signal of its popularity.'

'Painting a room yellow is a lovely background for so many different styles – a more pale, buttercream will give a wildly different impression from a vibrant sunshine shade,' Courtnay adds. 'If a client isn’t ready to fully commit to painting a room yellow, it makes a lovely contrast color. A blue room with yellow drapes, cushions, or trimwork is a lovely way to add the pop of contrast without diving fully in. There are so many shades of yellow that there’s bound to be one that works with just about any color scheme.'

4. Warm Blacks

The boldest of colors, decorating with black is a brave choice, but the rise of warm-toned blacks is making this daring hue more livable.

'We are going to see a lot more warm black tones for 2026,' predicts the interior designer Linda Eyles of Houston-based Linda Eyles Design. 'It is a dramatic shade with a rich and earthy side that makes it a beautiful neutral. A deep black can add elegance to a bar or bring a handsome, calming quality to a study.'

This color trend is reflected in Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year: Silhouette, a rich espresso tone that adds drama to any room. 'Dark chocolatey hues like Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year 2026, Silhouette, can be equally parts inviting and chic,' says Helen Shaw, color expert at Benjamin Moore. 'This alluring mix of rich espresso hues with subtle notes of charcoal can be designed in a variety of styles and spaces, but it has a distinctive presence. Similar to a tailored touch in fashion, it can elevate a design and take it from expected to exceptional.'

'This hue creates a perfect backdrop when color drenching a space, or a moment of contrast when used with a lighter color – this contrast to textured fabrics and materials in lighter colors will enhance the depth of the wall color, while creating a layered space that blends sophistication with a relaxed feel,' Helen says.

5. Earthy Dark Greens

Continuing the appeal for nature-inspired colors, decorating with green is predicted to remain popular in 2026, with deep, earthy shades replacing once-popular sage green. 'A lot of what’s been popular – earthy, old European-inspired colors and textured finishes – continues to be strong,' says Portola Paints' co-founder, Jamie Davis.

'Based on trends from design colleagues and paint vendors for 2026, we expect a deep, earthy green to be the enduring color for interiors,' says the interior designer Pamela Forman of PBF Homes. 'This trend is driven by a desire for spaces that feel restorative, grounded, and connected to the outdoors. We hear from our clients that they are seeking tranquility in their homes, and deep green provides that natural, calming backdrop.'

While deep shades of green work timelessly in many rooms, Pamela says that it works especially well as a kitchen cabinet color. 'This immediately provides an element of natural, bespoke luxury that contrasts beautifully with lighter countertops (marble, white quartz) or brass hardware.'

In living spaces, it is best paired with woods, which continue the natural, earthy look. 'The deep green will make the natural grain and texture of warm woods (like oak or walnut) look richer and more intentional,' says Pamela.

6. Rich Plum Shades

This year's purple trend familiarized us with using this nostalgic – and sometimes divisive – hue in our homes, but for 2026, we're expecting a shift towards rich plum tones as a grown-up and arguably more timeless take on purple room ideas.

'For 2026, we will see a natural progression in the use of burgundy in interior design, with shades of red, pink, and purple all becoming more popular as customers continue to demonstrate more color confidence in their homes,' says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene.

'My color prediction for 2026 is plums and purples,' adds Florence Sherwood, color consultant at Georgie Wykeham Designs. 'In recent years, we have seen interiors turn to warmer tones, and brighter colors are much more widely used now. I regularly use more saturated tones of reds, greens, blues, and yellows, so purple is going to become exciting for designers looking for something fresh.'

'It is a contrasting color to yellows, so it will work well in ochre schemes,' Florence adds. 'Farrow & Ball’s Paean Black is a lovely purple-black that will add depth to warm berry schemes, while Great White is a good fresh pink-purple-white which will sit softly with a purple scheme.'

7. Red-Based Taupes

When it comes to decorating with neutrals in 2026, experts are favoring taupe tones with red undertones, which ensure a warm color scheme. 'The rise of red-based taupe feels particularly significant,' says the Milan-based color consultant Charlotte Cropper. 'Whether it leans more mushroom, like Smoked Trout by Farrow & Ball, or towards an earthy clay tone such as Taupe 03 by Lick, this color sits beautifully between a neutral and a color.'

'The red undertones lift it from being a safe, stereotypical neutral to one that feels both classic and contemporary, depending on your design style,' Charlotte adds. 'It might not be bold enough to be crowned "color of the year", but it’s the shade I’ve noticed homeowners gravitating towards in real life. It leans into the ever-growing desire for colors that comfort us; for hues and homes that nurture us and, most importantly, allow for individual expression.'

When decorating with warming shades of taupe, Charlotte advises that you don't need to play it too safe. 'It is one of those colors you can really get away with clashing against, so have fun introducing bold accents that add personality and soul: a blue lamp, a green sofa, terracotta cushions, dark wood furniture, or multicolored artwork. It's a neutral with a twist – warm, grounding, and one to watch.'

Color trends for 2026 present rich, bold tones that align with the wider shift toward soulful and personality-led homes, as well as comforting and warm-toned neutrals that establish a calming backdrop in rooms. Whichever of these trending shades you're drawn to, it's worth taking inspiration from designers' color rules to ensure a balanced scheme.

When it comes to Christmas decorating this year, it’s time to lean into nostalgia without hesitation. Forget the polished perfection of recent seasons – this look is about embracing the kitsch, the character, and the chaos of a family Christmas. Dust off your grandmother’s glass baubles, mix them with clashing ribbons, and don’t be afraid of colour – the more joyful, the better. Layer textures and patterns with abandon: crochet tree skirts, mismatched stockings, and twinkling fairy lights strung over every surface. The charm lies in the imperfection – in decorations that tell a story and schemes that feel loved and lived-in. Anchor all that nostalgia with a few beautifully made pieces that bring balance and craft to the mix; Anthropologie’s latest collection captures that blend perfectly, with designs that feel wonderfully familiar. The result is a home that feels full of life, warmth, and memory – exactly what Christmas should be.

These are the pieces to shop now: joyful, characterful designs that channel the nostalgic Christmas look with ease and make every corner feel a little more full of cheer.

If, like me, you grew up watching heartwarming Christmas classics, Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Miracle on 34th Street, you’ll know exactly the kind of festive magic this trend celebrates. It’s that sense of bustle and brilliance, where every corner of the home feels alive with colour and character. To get the nostalgic look, it’s about embracing the eccentric – mixing patterns, layering decorations, and letting sentiment take the lead over symmetry. The result should feel joyful, generous, and completely personal.

One of the fastest ways to achieve this look is to crown your Christmas tree with the iconic and unashamedly retro Satin Bow Tree Topper from Anthropologie. There is something so decidedly joyful and over the top about this larger-than-life tree topper, and it simply has no time for the overly precious, all white, meticulously contrived Christmas look. Instead, it sends a pretty clear memo: this is a place where Christmas is done properly.

Our Favourite Nostalgic Christmas Picks

This is true dopamine decor: injecting playful and joyful elements into a home. Nostalgia can be something we feel warmly about, but to be clear, we might not always want our homes to be a riot of chintz, pattern, colour and lights, hence why Christmas is such a wonderful time to embrace this look. If not at Christmas, when?

But while in this day and age most living room layouts are designed around a TV, this one, however, was created around conversation. Designer Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors was tasked with carving out a tech-free zone for her clients, a space where you could sink into a sofa, light a candle, and actually talk.

The result feels deeply cozy – a space that invites you to slow down and settle in, enveloped in rich plum purple walls and layers of pattern. But aesthetics aside, how did Melissa achieve that balance of flow, function, and feeling? Here, she invites us to take a look around.

What struck me first about this cozy living room (besides the deep purple living room walls, painted in Farrow & Ball's Brinjal) was how naturally it draws you in – not toward a screen, but toward one another.

'Our design process with this project was very focused on ensuring that a historic home with architectural details that leaned formal could remain family and life-friendly with a healthy balance of elevated but casual design,' Melissa explains of the project brief.

In place of the usual living room TV setup, Oho Interiors focused the layout around the living room fireplace, treating it as both a visual and functional anchor to the space.

'The layout is really centered around the fireplace and conversation,' she says. 'Our clients were really dedicated to the idea that this room should remain a tech-free zone, so we took those notes and really created a sense of conversation around the fireplace.'

Every element in the room then radiates out from that point – the symmetrical (yet not matching) armchairs, the floating couch, and the fireplace seat – are all positioned to form a conversation circle rather than a rigid arrangement, so nothing feels blocked or boxed in.

The more time I spent looking at this room, the more I appreciated just how well it flows. The aforementioned floating couch is key to this.

Positioned in the center of the room, the blue couch creates a natural divide between the main seating area and the pathway behind it, which backs onto a dining space, encouraging a smooth flow.

'We always have eyes on where the traffic pattern of a room flows to and from, but oftentimes we also get to transform a space and the way our clients live in that space by creating a specific in-and-out flow to a space,' Melissa adds.

'This room really allowed for a circular flow around the sofa, but also gave relief points where you could cozy into an armchair without feeling like you were floating out in the open. The perfect blend of offering opportunities to craft the space to your needs at that moment.'

'While we're not afraid of a floating sofa, we do (often!) love to add a table to help anchor the position of the sofa in the middle of the room, and – hot tip! – it also solves the issue of an uninteresting sofa back being your first introduction to a space,' Melissa advises.

The woven console table – the Matthew Izzo Rattan Console from Chairish – is placed at the couch's back and does double duty in adding a layer of warmth and texture while also providing additional styling real estate. An easy-to-copy yet brilliantly effective trick.

'It brings a playfulness to the space and allowed us to add another natural material into the space to balance the formality of the architecture,' she adds.

The sofa’s central placement also lent itself to being the star of the show, and while it might feel like an unexpected color combination with the purple walls, it was one of the first items picked by Melissa for the room.

'We started with our anchor in the space, the textural linen blue sofa,' she explains. 'The form of the sofa was deceptively simple while creating a presence and anchor point to hold the center of the room.' After choosing this powder blue piece, the team went on to build the rest of the scheme around it.

'The patterned armchair tucked into the corner is shockingly comfortable, but we wanted to take a highly patterned, highly traditional textile to a more contemporary piece for balance,' she explains of the Square Chair from John Robshaw. 'It really does make the whole design and brings together all of the different tones and patterns in one epic piece.'

For additional seating, she then added the custom fireplace bench, which, if you're after something similar, you'll find by searching for "fireplace fenders" on 1st Dibs. 'Knowing that this space would need to flex from a party of one to dinner-party size capacity, we wanted to give our clients flexible options for seating, and a rose-colored plaid wool padded bench top brings function & comfort, while still feeling high-end.'

Finally, the leather ottoman was a real 'trust me' moment between designer and client. 'A skirted leather ottoman is not a common approach for upholstery, but we wanted a piece that would live and age with the family, showing the love that had occurred in that room with marks and scratches and patina.'

The positioning of the armchairs, ottoman, and fireplace bench helps define smaller zones within the space, giving it a flexible, cozy quality.

Speaking of creating a cozy feel, Melissa has a few tricks up her sleeve to help create layers of comfort – and it's all about mixing patterns.

'One of the best ways to add a level of cozy casual to a space truly is in layering patterns,' she says. 'I know it feels (and definitely can be!) a tricky thing to execute, but the trick is to lean in. Start with a classic stripe or plaid and add a floral. Layer in large-scale and small-scale patterns, and make sure you have fabrics that feel organic in pattern paired with patterns that have more order to them.'

'Look for a pattern that encompasses a wide range of colors you can pull from or use complementary shades (the color wheel is your friend here!), and do not sleep on the power of a textural linen or wool to help carry some of the visual weight.'

As Melissa explained to me, almost every fabric in the space, from the upholstery to the rugs and pillows, was selected to be as 'life-friendly' as possible. Nothing here feels too precious. You get the sense that this is a room meant to be enjoyed. 'We also installed pieces that could take a beating and still look great (and in some cases, even better as they age!).'

'This is the key to allowing a space to feel uniquely elevated while still feeling like a place you can kick your feet up and have that glass of red wine with abandon,' she advises. 'The "burn the candles, use the china" mentality of nothing is too precious –and after all, that is really what our homes should allow us to settle into.'

Every design choice in this space invites you to feel at home. Whether it’s the conversation-first seating plan, the soft, layered textiles, or the gentle yet enveloping color drenched walls. Nothing feels forced or overly curated; instead, it feels chic and curated yet totally warm and welcoming. I'd consider that a job well done.

Shop the Look

For more inspiration on creating a space that feels as inviting as it looks, head to our living room ideas hub for more design-led layouts, color ideas, and decorating tips to help you reimagine the coziest room of your home.

This might sound niche – even slightly sacrilegious – but restaurants (and in-the-know tastemakers) have been onto the portable lighting trend for years. ‘Cordless lamps are our jam! I now officially hate cords!’ says New York–based interior designer Andrea Sinkin. The occasional need to recharge, she admits, ‘can be a buzzkill, but the juice is worth the squeeze.’ Her team uses them everywhere: kitchen counters, bathroom vanities, consoles, side tables – ‘and yes, of course, for table decor.’

To counter the holiday chaos, Andrea encourages balance. Two table lamps on either end of a rectangular table, one for a round or square. ‘Use them to create mood and ambience – keep the dimmer on low and definitely add a garland and holiday decor to jazz it up,’ she says. Her favorite source is Pooky, whose cordless offerings are fast becoming shorthand for good taste.

‘A well-lit table feels intimate and welcoming, no matter how big your party, but candles can be unpredictable,’ says Jo Plant, Chief Creative Officer at Pooky. ‘They can burn out, drip wax, and pose safety risks around children and a potential fire hazard around greenery. Cordless lamps give you that soft, golden glow without compromise and can be styled in ways that add a unique flair to your table.’

Jo’s approach to table styling is measured but layered. ‘Combine taller cordless lamps with smaller decorative ones to add layers of visual interest and draw the eye across the table,’ she says. ‘You can even pair a taller lamp with elements such as garlands, baubles, or floral arrangements to add dimension.’

And she’s firm about bulbs: they must be warm. ‘The softer tone is universally flattering, enhancing metallics and natural textures, and bringing out the richness of festive colors like oranges, golds, reds, and greens.’ For reference, she suggests bulbs between 2700–3000K to replicate candlelight’s warmth.

Lamps, of course, should suit the setting too. Brass or glass pair beautifully with the current ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ trend taking over TikTok, ‘while textured or colored shades complement a more rustic Thanksgiving tablescape,’ Jo notes. If you’re celebrating Hanukkah, try blue velvet shades and glossy white porcelain bases for contrast.

But above all, remember: the portable lamp is a free agent. While it might start at the dining table, it doesn’t need to stay there. ‘The beauty of cordless lamps is that they can be moved anywhere, perhaps from the dining table to a sideboard, so you can easily adjust your lighting as the evening unfolds,’ notes Jo. When the plates inevitably outnumber the guests, it’s an easy solve – just slide it over to a nearby surface, a tiny table, perhaps, where it can shine softly out of frame.

To be clear, candles aren’t canceled; the best holiday hosts mix both. But there’s something distinctly du jour about a little lamp glowing beside your place card.

Ahead, six portable lamps we'd love to seat at the table.

‘Let the lamp’s gentle glow and minimalist design carry most of the message; this creates calm,’ notes Alexzandra Aguirre of Phoenix Interior Design LLC, who says they’re her favorite way to add ambience to a long dinner. ‘With thoughtful styling, rechargeable lamps can glow as magically and timelessly as candlelight.'

The bookshelf wealth trend, which first captured attention in 2024, is one of the most compelling interior movements of recent years – and Joanna Gaines’ Gristmill kitchen proves it’s still going strong in 2025.

A far cry from the perfectly color-coded or hyper-minimalist shelf displays that dominated Instagram in years past, this trend celebrates the art of the full shelf – layered, lived-in, and brimming with personality. Stacks of hardbacks, heirlooms, vintage picture frames, and artful clutter combine to tell a story, creating spaces that feel quietly luxurious and effortlessly chic, as if you’ve been collecting beautiful objects for decades.

Joanna’s kitchen, featured in her TV series Magnolia Table and archived on Instagram, perfectly embodies this approach. Bespoke countertop-to-ceiling kitchen shelving adds both style and function, breaking up cabinetry while keeping surfaces uncluttered. Here, open shelves aren’t just practical – they’re an opportunity to display curated collections of cookbooks, ceramics, plants, and small pieces of art, blending everyday objects with decorative charm.

‘It is important to strike a balance between functionality and style,’ says interior designer Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co. ‘Open shelves for cookbooks and objects provide kitchen storage while creating a visually appealing space.’ Mike Fetherston, design director at Hetherington Newman, adds: ‘As kitchens become central gathering spaces, areas for display personalize the room, giving it a relaxed, welcoming feel.’

‘What separates this from other interior design trends is that these homes look cozy and lived in,’ explains Kailee Blalock, co-founder and principal designer of House of Hive, in a viral TikTok. ‘So obviously, there are books, but the difference is that these aren’t display books; these are books that have actually been curated and read. Art is of the utmost importance, but it’s not displayed traditionally.’

Architect Ben Allen of Studio Ben Allen highlights the practical aspect: ‘Lower shelves hold daily essentials like oils, salt, and herbs, while higher shelves are perfect for decorative cups and china. Variations in height and depth bring playful touches to the design.’

Even in 2025, the bookshelf wealth trend shows no signs of slowing. Its combination of practicality, personality, and style makes spaces feel lived-in and curated, and Joanna Gaines’ Gristmill kitchen remains a perfect example of how thoughtfully styled shelves can elevate a home.

Recreate the Bookshelf Wealth Look

But the right shade of gray paint can be an incredibly effective way of maintaining neutrality in a room, and Benjamin Moore's best seller Classic Gray does just that. Light enough that it can appear as an off-white rather than gray, but not so pale it's a washout, it's a favorite paint shade among designers who use it to ground a room with subtle warmth.

Here, you can learn all you need to know about decorating with this delicate and warm gray paint – from the best rooms to use it in to expertly-recommended paint color pairings.

What Color Is Classic Gray?

'With its soft, warm gray undertone, this versatile hue often reads closer to an off-white color than a gray,' explains Hannah Yeo, color specialist at Benjamin Moore. 'Whether it’s used as a gentle standalone shade or paired with others to create a subtle contrast, Classic Gray OC-23 brings a delicate layer of warmth, making it an inviting and elegant backdrop.'

'With an LRV of 74, the soothing undertone of Classic Gray is best appreciated in a room with medium light, where subtle depth truly shines,' says Hannah. 'In spaces with abundant natural light, such as south-facing rooms, Classic Gray serves as an excellent alternative to a white paint color, offering just enough warmth without feeling stark.'

'In rooms lit primarily by artificial light, pay attention to lightbulb temperature and surrounding elements,' Hannah advises. 'Warm lighting can amplify its undertones, sometimes making it read as a light taupe, while cool lighting will keep it looking neutral with minimal undertone. As always, testing the color in your space is essential, as lighting and context can significantly influence its appearance.'

Why Designers Love Using Classic Gray

One reason why designers often turn to this light gray paint is that it works well throughout the day as the light changes. 'Classic Gray's versatility means it looks beautiful and balanced in any lighting condition – from bright morning to low evening light,' says the interior designer Bambi A'Lynn Bratton of Austin-based Bambi A’Lynn Interior Design.

Interior designer Caroline Kopp agrees, adding: 'I love it because it works in all different types of light: when the evening sun hits it, it looks warm and beige (but never yellow), and at night it deepens to a wonderful putty color and yet somehow it’s not muddy. I love putting it with stronger colors, but it also looks fabulous in a neutral palette.'

Classic Gray also teams wonderfully with white trim and sets a calming backdrop for other decor elements to shine, according to the Charlotte-based designer Lauren Clement: 'I love the way that it can accentuate white trim as well as allow the fabrics in a room to either just melt away for a quiet neutral aesthetic or really highlight fabrics that are more bold in color, pattern, and texture.'

'If you are looking to neutralize a space with a cool tone, this is the perfect backdrop as you work to pull a space together,' Lauren adds. 'Let Classic Gray give you contrast with your trim and a bit of color interest without overpowering your other elements, and you will be on your way to a beautifully balanced space.'

How to Use Classic Gray in Your Home

It's clear that designers love Classic Gray for its versatility and subtle warmth, but how exactly do they use it in their projects? Below, we've rounded up the best rooms to use it in and designers' top tips for styling it.

What Rooms Does Classic Gray Work Best in?

Classic Gray makes a wonderful living room paint color. 'It maintains a bright and airy feel while having just enough saturation to feel cozy and enveloping,' says the interior designer Hannah Blumenthal of New York City-based Studio Olivine, who opted for this neutral hue in this living room, paired with Benjamin Moore's Snowfall White on the ceiling and trim work.

'Unlike many cool gray shades, which were trendy and now feel dated, Classic Gray feels timeless due to its warm undertones,' says Hannah. 'This was very important to us when selecting a paint color for the living room of this nearly 100-year-old home in New York City.'

'This airy living room is south-facing and gets gorgeous light throughout the day, which brings out and heightens the warm tones found in Classic Gray,' Hannah adds. 'In a north-facing room, Classic Gray will feel softer but still neutral – more off-white than gray.'

Classic Gray also works wonderfully in kitchens, especially as a kitchen cabinet color. 'Classic Gray is a lovely, light, warm gray that works well in rooms where you want a slight shift from white while still feeling light and airy,' says the Los Angeles interior designer Christine Costa Zippert. 'We have used it several times on kitchen cabinets in spaces with white walls for this reason.'

Christine adds that Classic Gray allows you to add subtle warmth to kitchen cabinets, without reaching for richer alternatives such as beige paints. 'It is also one of the grays we've found that pairs really well with warmer stones, like brick and terracotta,' she says.

Classic Gray makes for a calming bedroom color idea. While you may favor decorating with white in your sleep space, designers assure that this soft gray is just as soothing. 'This color is not your dreaded millennial gray; it’s the good kind of gray, which means it is warm, soft, soothing, and elegant,' says Caroline Kopp. 'It is a pale color but pigmented enough that it never looks just white.'

'In this bedroom, I used Classic Gray across the walls, trim, and doors, and used moss green as an accent color on the bed, together with a pale slate blue carpet,' says Caroline. 'I love how this came out, and it proves the versatility of Classic Gray.'

Since bathrooms often inspire neutral color palettes, Classic Gray feels perfectly at home. 'It creates a soft warmth that complements natural light nicely, which is why it works well in small spaces like bathrooms,' says the interior designer Lauren Saab of Dallas-based Saab Studios.

'On beadboard and molding, it adds definition while making the space feel brighter, warmer, and more inviting,' she adds. 'It bridges cool and warm tones effortlessly, which makes it an ideal backdrop for mixed metals and natural textures.'

What Colors Pair Best With Classic Gray?

Because Classic Gray is a neutral color, it will work well with just about any color on the color wheel. That said, designers especially enjoy using it to create a timeless scheme, where it is paired with natural tones and textures. 'Pair it with crisp white trim and let natural materials, such as woods and linens, bring texture and warmth,' advises Trish Lynn of Colette Interiors.

It also works well with the colors of nature, such as blues and greens, if you want to introduce more contrast into your scheme. 'Because of its green undertones, you can also use Classic Gray as a transitional neutral in homes with greens, grays, and blues throughout,' says Trish.

The Alabama-based interior designer Mark Kennamer, who used Classic Gray in this traditional living room, follows a similar approach when creating color pairings. 'It works especially well with creamy whites, soft blues, and warm, natural materials like cane, oak, and rattan,' he says. 'Because the undertone is subtle rather than assertive, it pairs easily with antiques and layered fabrics – it supports the room instead of competing with it.'

If you're looking for paint pairings, there are plenty of ways to go, according to Benjamin Moore's Hannah Yeo: 'Create a serene white-on-white story by layering Classic Gray with lighter off-whites, like White Dove OC-17, in entryways or bedrooms. This pairing evokes quiet sophistication, while subtle tonal shifts add depth and visual interest.'

Alternatively, Hannah recommends October Mist 1495 or Water’s Edge 1635 if you want to add more color. 'These cooler shades balance Classic Gray’s warmth, creating a soothing environment ideal for living rooms or bathrooms,' she says.

For something more playful, Hannah suggests using Spiced Pumpkin 034 or Kurkuma AF-350 as accent colors. 'Against Classic Gray’s soft backdrop, vibrant colors and layered patterns bring character and energy to any space,' says Hannah.

Expert Tips for Using Classic Gray Successfully

You can't go too wrong with decorating with Classic Gray, but experts recommend using it as a base color, layered with accent colors and tactile materials for a stylish look. 'From soft linen window treatments to sleek stainless steel appliances, this versatile hue complements a wide range of finishes, offering endless design potential and adapting seamlessly to both traditional and contemporary styles,' says Hannah Yeo.

Lauren Clement adds that it's important to consider lighting when decorating with this hue: 'Because it is a cooler tone, Classic Gray looks best with a whiter and brighter light. I would aim for the 3500-4000 kelvin lighting scale in a room with this color.'

'As for fabrics or artwork, I love to pair a beautiful navy or even a plum tone with this color,' Lauren adds. 'For a bold contrast, a Kelly green or even a canary yellow would work nicely.'

And while Classic Gray is a versatile color that works well in many spaces, it's crucial to sample the shade before committing to it, warns Hannah Yeo: 'Like many nuanced hues, its appearance can shift depending on surrounding elements such as vibrant greenery outdoors or bold accent colors. Be sure to test the color in your space before committing to full gallons.'

Shop Decor for a Classic Gray Scheme

Feeling inspired to paint your walls with this soft gray? Below, you can shop for decor that will complement it perfectly.

Whether you choose Classic Gray as a timeless kitchen color or a calming backdrop for living room walls, this light gray is a wonderful alternative to white. Wherever you use it, make sure to add depth to your space with tactile elements and layered materials.

The villa, which includes bespoke spaces such as a library, cinema, and swimming pool, reflects Brigitta’s expertise in designing environments that are both elegant and functional. It’s tailored to meet the needs of her family (including three children and three dogs) while also serving as the perfect backdrop for entertaining.

The house design functions almost like a gallery-cum-family home. Works by renowned artists and iconic designers such as Zaha Hadid, Fornasetti, and Jean Prouvé sit alongside her children’s creations – a reminder that this is first and foremost a lived-in space. Brigitta also champions emerging designers and makers, blending their work with vintage finds and market treasures. The result is a home infused with history, artistry, and deeply personal meaning.

The design is high-end and luxurious, yes, but it's also incredibly personal; nothing feels overly precious, and every space is used and loved. It’s a home that effortlessly blends sophistication with family life – elegant, functional, and deeply personal.

'The most successful homes, to me, never feel forced,' explains Brigitta. 'They possess a natural rhythm, a flow that makes moving through the spaces instinctive and effortless.'

'Designing my own home was as much an emotional journey as it was a technical one. People often assume that, as an interior designer, creating your own house is easy, but in reality, it is one of the hardest projects because every choice carries personal weight. It was not just about what I wanted, but about creating a home that could accommodate my husband, our children, and family visits. It became a collaborative process, balancing everyone’s perspectives and translating them into spaces that feel connected, generous, and flexible.'

Here, the designer and founder of Spinocchia Freund, takes us through her home, from the extensive renovation and design vision, to how she balances her distinctive style with the rhythms of family life, and how she uses these spaces every day.

'When we first discovered the house, we were immediately drawn to its south-facing orientation. The building is constantly bathed in light, which gives it a naturally uplifting and happy atmosphere. We loved the location and the promise of what the house could become, though we knew the renovation would be a considerable project.'

'The original staircase divided each floor in two, disrupting the flow, so we reconfigured the entire layout to create a greater sense of openness and more lateral living. Our aim was always to design a home that felt generous and fluid, filled with brightness and positive energy. While the exterior presents the quiet dignity of a traditional London villa, the interiors have been completely reimagined for our family life, with every space considered for the needs of my husband, our three children, and our three dogs.'

'It was important to keep the mood and detailing of the property connected to the existing façade, which became one of our guiding architectural principles. Inside, however, the layout needed a complete rethink. In the studio, we explored a number of options, working with 3D models to test very different approaches to floorplates and flow.'

'The original staircase cut through the middle of the house, breaking up the plans and leaving the rooms feeling smaller, darker, and more constrained. Because the property had no listing restrictions, we were able to move the staircase to the back, which immediately opened up the full width of the house and allowed light to flow from front to back. We also introduced a partial glass roof and a glass elevator to draw light right down to the lower ground floor.'

'This reconfiguration, combined with the living wall and the double-height volumes in the library, the pool, and the dining room, gave the house a sense of openness and connectivity that never existed before. It completely transformed the way the interiors could be experienced.'

'Beyond the architectural clarity, every decision was made with our family in mind, creating spaces where the children could grow up surrounded by light, areas for entertaining and hosting friends, and more intimate corners where we can read, listen to records, or simply spend time together.'

'Structurally, this was an exceptionally complex renovation. Digging down and re-engineering the circulation of the house required immense technical precision. Yet beyond the engineering, the greater challenge was creating a sense of ease. The most successful homes, to me, never feel forced. They possess a natural rhythm, a flow that makes moving through the spaces instinctive and effortless.'

'The challenge was achieving that balance between structure, function, and family life, so that each room works beautifully on its own while also contributing to a natural flow throughout the house. That balance is what makes the home feel lived in, welcoming, and adaptable both for us now and for the future.'

'This had to be a house that could flex with us, somewhere we could host friends and family for dinners or parties that feel both elegant and effortless. For the children, I created spaces where they could sprawl and play, and for all of us, the bedrooms had to feel cocooning and indulgent, a place to retreat.'

'I always start by thinking about the emotion I want a space to hold, and then I shape the lifestyle around that. After 27 years of working with families across different continents, I’ve seen how differently people live, and I wanted to bring that understanding into our own home.'

'Layering was key in our home. Antique flooring grounds the living and bedroom levels, while paneling softens the spaces. On top of that, I’ve layered contemporary works that bring energy and bespoke joinery that keeps the house genuinely practical. To me, that balance is what makes it elegant. It never feels too precious or untouchable, but it carries depth, character, and care in every choice.'

'I would describe the style of my home as elegant and soulful, which is very much how I approach design both personally and for clients. The antique floors, marked and weathered, set the tone. There is beauty in their imperfection, and that grounding quality runs through the whole house. The bespoke joinery keeps storage hidden so the rooms remain open and uncluttered, allowing the furniture groupings to breathe.'

'For me, those groupings are like conversations: each arrangement invites people to gather naturally, and that brings a space to life. I never over-style; instead, I curate with intention and heart. That is true of my personal style as well. I am drawn to pieces and materials with meaning, and I layer them in a way that feels authentic. The result, both in my work and in my own home, is a sense of lived-in warmth, layered, welcoming, and filled with our family’s soul.'

'And I think meaning comes through mixing eras and stories: an antique discovered at a fair, a piece inherited from family, a treasured collectible, alongside a contemporary design that speaks to the present. When old and new sit together, the result is a home with depth and warmth, but most importantly, it carries personality. That is what gives it soul.

'The raised reception, which you first step into, is one of the most expressive rooms. It functions almost like a gallery and a salon at once. There is my Pierre Cardin desk, given to me by my husband, sitting beside a vintage Fornasetti and the Vincenzo De Cotiis lounge chair, a stunning piece made of his signature recycled fiberglass and travertine, all set against a very simple Ashley Stark rug. There are shelves of books, collections of vases, including works by Darren Appiagyei, and the children’s artwork very much present.'

'It is curated but never static; it evolves as our family evolves. The white bouclé mohair sofa covers might seem delicate, but they are incredibly resilient and have proved wonderfully practical. This is the room where work meetings happen, but also where we gather in the evenings. It carries a sense of flow and openness, yet it is layered with the personal and the familial.'

'I love to sit in the reception room alone, on the Campana Brothers sofa. It has become my perch, somewhere to read, to think through the day, or to let new ideas come. When I am alone, it is quiet there, yet somehow, it’s full of energy because it is also the space from where I can hear all the raucous family living.'

'Equally, I love the library space with the record player has a magic of its own. On Sundays, we sit together as a family, choosing vinyl and letting the music set the rhythm of the day. It is a ritual that anchors us, simple but deeply meaningful. Both spaces remind me that home is as much about atmosphere as it is about design.'

'The kitchen and dining area was always imagined as the place where we gather to digest our day with one another. It adapts effortlessly. Sometimes it’s just the two of us by the window with the door open on a summer’s evening, and other times it’s the whole family gathered around the table for supper chats. There is color and detail in every corner. The marble work surface has a traditional profile, deliberately not overly modern, while the Richard Woods bar stools introduce a bold, contemporary note. Even the bespoke fridge fronts are layered to add texture and character.'

'Everything is within easy reach, so it functions beautifully, yet it never feels cluttered. For me, it is convivial and welcoming, filled with warmth and atmosphere, a true reminder that home is where the heart is.'

'The main bedroom was inspired by a romantic favorite, a suite at the George V in Paris that my husband often books for us. Designing it at home brought an element of nostalgia, capturing the intimacy and elegance of those cherished stays. Though the proportions are long and narrow, I worked carefully to ensure it feels cocooning rather than cavernous. Freestanding wardrobes, curated like a boutique, bring both elegance and practicality. A hidden television lets us curl up together at the end of the day, while the oversized bed inevitably becomes a Sunday morning gathering spot for children and dogs alike.'

'The adjoining bathroom, flooded with natural light, is both functional and uplifting. It is a place where I can prepare for the day ahead or simply pause to unwind, making it feel like a true retreat within the home.'

'Home, to me, is both retreat and joy. It is where I slow down, where the noise of the outside world falls away, and where I feel restored. It is also the setting for laughter with my husband and children, for shared meals, records played, plans made, and the simple pleasure of being together.'

'It’s a place for daydreaming, for turning the pages of a book, or sitting quietly as my thoughts settle. Above all, home is equal parts sanctuary and stage, a place that holds our daily lives while also gathering the memories and rituals that shape us as a family.'

Since I consider Christmas garland ideas to be a holiday decor must-have, I got to looking for variations that have the same timeless elegance as traditional strands, but are much more versatile – garland strands that can hang anywhere and don't require constant upkeep. That's when I came across the brass garlands from Joanna Gaines' Christmas collection at Magnolia.

With an assortment of styles – some that mimic the look of tree leaves and others designed with Christmas bells – Magnolia's brass garlands put a chic twist on this classic Christmas decoration. These strands are significantly more usable than traditional evergreen strands, and in my opinion, they're a timeless Christmas decor idea that promises lasting elegance for many holiday seasons to come.

Anywhere you'd normally hang garland, you can hang these brass variations instead. Consider draping a strand across your mantel, hanging another around the front door frame in your entryway, or looping a third around your staircase railing. The brass's rich tone can ground any space with a warm and festive look.

You can even string this brass garland in places you wouldn't string regular garland – perhaps around a picture frame on the wall, between the bottles on your bar cart, or even across your Christmas dining table set up. Since these strands are small, unobstructive, and lightweight, they can tastefully decorate your space in a way that real strands can't.

If you're not ready to part ways with traditional evergreen garland, don't worry. These brass strands can pair quite well with evergreen stands. For an elegant, Ralph Lauren Christmas-inspired aesthetic, consider weaving a brass garland strand within your traditional garland. Since brass details are highly complementary to natural green foliage, they'll ensure a classic, festive look when combined with your natural foliage.

These brass garlands from Magnolia don't have to be a replacement for the traditional Christmas garland that you know and love. Instead, they're a versatile alternative that will ensure the same seasonal elegance with a shimmering flair.

Shop Brass Garland from Magnolia

Joanna Gaines was on to something when she designed these brass garlands. From their gold-like glow to their timeless appeal, these strands capture the essence of the holiday season. I need at least one for my house, and I know you do, too. Shop Magnolia's stylish brass garland, below.

Wherever you decide to hang this brass garland, it's bound to enhance your home's holiday aesthetic with chic and timeless elegance. And after you finish the inside, don't forget about your outdoor Christmas decorations – it's just as important to decorate your home's exterior as it is the interior.

As Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens, I’ve spent years immersed in the world of interiors – curating designer projects, exploring remarkable homes, and uncovering the details that make a space feel truly lived-in. My training in color theory at KLC Design School has only deepened my appreciation for just how transformative color can be. It’s never simply about choosing a shade you like; it’s about shaping atmosphere, defining character, and creating emotion within a room.

For the third issue of My Very British Edit, I’m turning my attention to one of the most powerful – and often most personal – elements of design: room color ideas. British homes, in particular, have long embraced color with a confidence that feels both bold and deeply considered. From earthy heritage greens to rich oxbloods, from moody blues to warm plaster pinks, these hues carry history and soul. They anchor a room, tell a story, and – when chosen thoughtfully – stand the test of time.

What I admire most about English decorating is its bravery. For generations, homeowners and designers alike have turned to palettes inspired by landscape, architecture, and tradition. These aren’t fleeting, trend-driven tones; they are colors with lineage. Colors that feel rooted. Colors that make a home feel loved, lived-in, and genuinely expressive.

My background in color theory has taught me that the shades we choose don’t just decorate a home – they shape how we feel within it. The right palette can soften a space, lift its mood, or give it structure and sophistication. Layering hues with intention – pairing deep, saturated tones with gentle neutrals, or offsetting warm undertones with cooler accents – is what creates rooms that feel harmonious, inviting, and timeless.

Choosing color is an act of confidence, and this issue celebrates exactly that. It’s about embracing the shades that speak to you, trusting your instincts, and understanding that the most compelling rooms are often those that blend bravery with heritage. When color feels authentic – when it’s rooted in story, craft, and personal connection – it elevates a home in ways no trend ever could.

This edition is a celebration of color at its most meaningful: historic, expressive, soulful, and deeply British.

The Edit: Wow With Heritage Colors

Spotlight: Farrow & Ball

Few brands have shaped the way I think about color in the home quite like Farrow & Ball. Since 1946, this Dorset-based company has been crafting paints and wallpapers that do more than cover walls – they transform spaces and give them profound personality. Every shade responds to light in such a subtle and beautiful way, and every finish, from the ultra-matt Dead Flat to the mold-protected Modern Emulsion, feels carefully considered, thoughtful, and enduring. This dedication to quality is why the brand’s influence is only growing stronger as we prioritize authentic design.

Color isn’t just decoration; it’s storytelling. The way a room feels – calm, cozy, energizing, or playful – is often dictated by the hues we choose. I’ve always admired how British homes embrace color boldly yet thoughtfully, layering heritage tones with playful accents that reflect who lives there. Farrow & Ball’s curated palette makes this approach effortless, offering rich, directional shades that feel both timeless and utterly personal.

Using color thoughtfully is how I bring a space to life. I love seeing how a muted Vert de Terre can feel warm and grounded, how a Belvedere Blue can transform a sitting room into a cocoon, or how a touch of vibrant Charlotte's Lock can give an entrance unexpected energy. With Farrow & Ball, it’s not just about following trends – it’s about creating interiors that feel lived-in, authentic, and entirely yours.

Even beyond the UK, Farrow & Ball’s presence is growing, thanks to an exciting series of brand collaborations that bring these heritage colors to homes across the USA. Designer partnerships such as Kelly Wearstler’s California Collection, Christopher John Rogers’ curated palette, Tala’s Muse lighting colors, and Framebridge’s handcrafted Italian frames inspired by Farrow & Ball shades showcase the brand’s versatility and high-profile appeal. Meanwhile, organizational collaborations, such as the adornment of Vital Voices’ Washington D.C. headquarters with Ashley Maddox, highlight how Farrow & Ball’s timeless colors can elevate any space, regardless of its function.

Whether through personal interiors, high-profile design collaborations, or thoughtful public projects, Farrow & Ball proves that color is universal – but the way it is applied is profoundly personal. A well-chosen hue can transform a house into a home, infusing personality, heritage, and soul into every corner.

In the Queue

Next week on The Very British Edit, I’ll be turning my attention to one of the most timeless – and newly revived – elements of the table: glassware. From sculptural silhouettes to softly tinted stems, beautiful glass pieces have a remarkable ability to elevate the everyday, transforming even the simplest sip into a ceremony.

I’ll be spotlighting Soho Home, one of my enduring favorites for glassware, whose collections marry contemporary craftsmanship with an unmistakably British sense of style. Their designs go far beyond function; they create atmosphere and lend a quiet, effortless glamour to any setting.

Whether it’s hand-finished coupes for festive toasts, subtly colored tumblers that play with the light, or statement decanters made to last a lifetime, the right glassware becomes woven into the rituals that make a house feel like home. And true to Soho Home’s ethos, these pieces feel both modern and timeless – objects that enrich the everyday and grow more cherished with every use.

The Very British Edit is a shoppable guide to beautiful living with a distinctly British twist. From heritage patterns to timeless decor inspirations, each edition blends personal insight, design expertise, and a love of craftsmanship. It is stylish, trustworthy, and endlessly inspiring.

Three years down the line, I could count on one hand how many items are new in my home – the rest has been sourced from Facebook Marketplace. What began as a budget-friendly necessity soon became an obsession for decorating with vintage and thrifted furniture.

After years of trawling listings and slow decorating almost every room in my home this way, I’ve picked up a few tricks worth sharing. Here are my tried-and-true tips for shopping Facebook Marketplace like a Style Editor.

A Style Editor's Best Facebook Marketplace Tips

Sure, it's not the fastest way of furnishing a home, but for me, decorating this way has made my home feel layered and lived-in with pieces that tell a story of old (and "$20 off Facebook!") and has allowed me to create spaces that live up to my Pinterest board, without the hefty bill.

You'd be surprised at what unexpected secondhand pieces I've found on there. From marble fireplaces, to rugs, tables, mirrors, a Rangemaster oven, and even my entire bathroom suite (yes including the toilet) – if you look hard enough and are open to upcycling and a deep clean, you'll find it.

Beyond the thrill of the hunt, there are so many reasons I keep coming back to Facebook Marketplace. For one, it’s the easiest way to find pieces no one else will have – furniture with character and patina that you can't replicate with flat-pack delivery.

Then there’s the practical side. Decorating a home, especially during a renovation, is expensive, and sourcing secondhand lets me stretch my budget without sacrificing style. I can invest in quality materials and brands at a fraction of the original price, all while keeping perfectly good pieces out of landfill. It’s sustainable, satisfying, and genuinely addictive.

1. Commit to the Hunt

Treat Facebook Marketplace as your new favorite social media. I'm talking: wake up scroll, coffee break scroll, lunchtime scroll, after work on the sofa scroll, and the most important: bedtime scroll.

The best bits get snapped up super quickly, and nothing will haunt you more than a "Sorry it's sold" message on a piece that you've already envisioned working perfectly in your space. Just like you'd consider posting to Instagram when people are mostly online (first thing in the morning, commuting hours, weekends, and last thing at night), have a quick look on Facebook at these hours too, as this is most likely the time when people will upload to Marketplace.

If you check in regularly, you're more likely to find items as they get uploaded and before someone else snaps it up.

2. Be Willing to Travel

Granted, some of my best finds have been within a 30-minute radius of my home, but I have also been known to travel far and wide for something I absolutely cannot miss out on.

You, of course, want to weigh up your time and travel costs vs the item. Is it a rare enough find OR a bargain enough to warrant a 4-hour round-trip and a potential van rental cost? If not, maybe it's worth waiting for another piece.

Because my home is so full of Facebook finds, it's hard for me to pinpoint the greatest buy, but at the top of the list is our navy living room couch. It's a Maker & Son sofa that was handmade in England and retails at around $10,000 that I found on Facebook for just $1,500. The seller had someone interested in viewing it in three days' time, so I told him we'd be there that evening, rented a van, and convinced my husband to drive us three hours to collect it. It's like sitting on a cloud and has elevated the living room way beyond anything our budget could stretch to.

3. If You Can't Travel, Use a Shipping Service

If you don't have the time or means to travel hours for an item, you can always ask the seller to post it out (if it's small enough) and negotiate sending the money securely online, or for larger items, look at couriers.

Several courier and on-demand services specialize in picking up Facebook Marketplace items, including Lugg, Dolly, and Shiply. These companies provide on-demand or scheduled same-day delivery for large items like furniture, and you can book a pickup and delivery directly through their apps or websites.

This obviously bumps the price of the item up quite a lot, so you have to ask yourself if it’s still worth it or not before going down this route.

4. Save Things You Aren't Buying

Hear me out on this one. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but Facebook Marketplace works on an algorithm just like other social media feeds.

So, if you're looking for a new armchair for your living room and you've found one you like the shape of, but the dimensions don't work – bookmark it. The more items similar to what you're looking for you click on or save, the more it will show you.

This also goes for budget; if something's totally unaffordable to you but you LOVE it, save it. If it's a maybe, or an "I wish", let Facebook know that's what you're looking for so it can serve you more of the same that might be cheaper, closer to home, or fit exactly right.

5. Check Listings in New Areas

If you travel for work, to visit family, or are heading off on a staycation, be sure to change your search radius on Facebook and check out the listings in the local area you're currently in.

This way, you're unlocking a totally new marketplace full of new sellers and items that you might've missed out on due to your previous search radius.

And you were going there anyway, so you might as well come back with some treasures in the trunk, too. On that note, if you’ve found something and are planning on picking it up, always check what other items the seller is listing too. You never know, they might have great taste and are doing a huge clear-out!

6. Learn Your Keywords

When I first started using Facebook Marketplace, I’d type in something vague like “vintage dresser” and instantly feel overwhelmed by hundreds of listings – most of which weren’t remotely my style or budget. I quickly learned that being specific with search terms makes all the difference.

This might sound really obvious, but get to know your interior design style really well. For example, if you're looking for pieces to fill your dining room and love a mid-century vibe, don't start by searching "wooden table" and instead try adding more specific buzzwords to your search like: "mid-century", "Ercol" and "teak".

That being said, sometimes small keywords work great if you're looking for particular brands or designers. You never know what a quick search for "Serena and Lily" or "Martha Stewart" might bring up.

Top tip: You can save searches and turn on alerts for terms so you’re notified the moment something new is listed.

7. Get to Know the Signs of Quality

Facebook Marketplace listings are rarely beautifully styled or professionally lit – and that’s half the fun. The best pieces often hide behind blurry photos or vague descriptions, so I’ve learned to read between the lines.

Try zooming in on the edges of drawers, the legs of chairs, or the underside of tables to look for solid wood, dovetail joints, or any tell-tale signs of craftsmanship. And if something looks promising but I’m unsure, I always message the seller for more details.

People are usually happy to send extra photos, and you can tell a lot about how a piece has been cared for from their response.

8. Master the Etiquette

We all know that good manners go a long way. So always start with a polite, concise message – something simple like “Hi! I love this piece, is it still available?” rather than an immediate lowball offer. If the item is still available, I’ll then follow up with a specific question about size, condition, or collection details to show I’m serious.

When it comes to negotiating, timing and tone are everything. If the listing’s been up for a while, I might ask, “Would you consider taking X for it?” instead of making a blunt offer and be sure to let them know when you're able to collect too.

Pickups are where you can really make or break the experience. I always confirm the address and time clearly, bring cash in exact change, and try my best to arrive when I say I will. It sounds obvious, but being reliable and kind builds goodwill, and I’ve even had sellers message me later with other pieces before listing them publicly.

It’s also worth being practical: measure your car, bring blankets or straps, and don’t be afraid to rope in a friend for heavy items.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to claim that Facebook Marketplace has completely reshaped how I shop. Now, if I'm after an item for my home, I check if Facebook has anything to offer me before I head to the shops. In the same sense, I check Vinted before shopping for pieces for my wardrobe. It's cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and helps me to really consider if I really need or want an item before making a purchase.

It’s made me slower, more intentional, and far more appreciative of pieces with a story. And who knows? The next time you scroll through Marketplace, you might just find your dream piece. If you’re wondering how to strike the right balance between old and new, you might enjoy our guide on how much of a room should be vintage.

And she is going from strength to strength, having just completed the Armani building in New York, a haven of pale woods and sleek finishes. But Victoria's success is rooted in something far more instinctive than accolades – a lifelong, almost intuitive passion for design. From childhood memories of mentally redesigning rooms to career-defining commissions for leading collectors, she has always been driven by a deep sensitivity to how a space feels.

Here, in our monthly Layered Lives feature, she opens up about the creative instincts that guide her, the turning moments that defined her career, and the joy – and responsibility – of designing homes that truly make people feel good.

Homes & Gardens: How did you first get interested in design?

I was born that way. From my earliest days, design has fascinated me. I have actual memories of standing in my crib and thinking about the floor finish and what I would have done – no, seriously! I remember being in my stroller and wondering why they selected certain flowers that I could see instead of other flowers that I would have chosen. I was honestly born this way – and it's a blessing and a curse. I'm very sensitive to colors and solving decor problems.

Homes & Gardens: What are the blessings of having this sort of mindset?

That I get to help people with their homes. You get to make spaces that make people feel good, and that makes me feel good. I love the collaborative nature of the work I do. Meanwhile, the curse is that I'm passionate about it – too passionate – and I really do care about my clients and their projects. I spend my whole life thinking about them, often waking up in the night with a new way to troubleshoot something that is going wrong.

Homes & Gardens: Who or what were some of your early design influences?

My grandmother loved to sew, and she would take us shopping for fabrics and to make us dresses. I was fascinated by the level of detail she'd drawn on to make beautiful red velvet dresses with lace collars. She used to talk to me about handmade lace, and let me select the buttons, and it was my favorite thing to do.

Homes & Gardens: Were there any places that inspired you, too?

My mother was a fashion illustrator, and she would take us to museums in New York. We would sit in the cafeteria of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a beautiful luncheonette with a big fountain, huge white light fixtures that Dorothy Draper had designed, and the juxtaposition of the scale of these lights and the water feature was brilliant. I’ve always taken note of how a space makes you feel and what in that space it is that makes you feel that way. A lot of times, it's the unpredictable, and you have to be open to the possibilities and bring a sense of fun to everything you do.

Homes & Gardens: What sums up “home” to you?

It's a place where I keep my favorite things. I like to collect and decorate with vintage pieces – when I was 16, I took my birthday money and bought a set of vintage broth cups. I bet there are not many 16-year-olds doing that! But I still have them and I still love them. I pulled them out to serve dessert in the other night and they made me so happy. I've been collecting my whole life – just anything I love, and I just know that I have to have it when I see it. I love to travel. My first solo trip abroad was to London when I was in design school, and we went shopping. It opened my eyes to finding pieces that are personal and have character and soul.

Homes & Gardens: Why is collecting so important to you?

It's nice to own things that bring back memories of travel or special moments, those connections to the past. When I look at my collections, I feel comfortable. And having a home that can do that is what life should be all about.

Homes & Gardens: What other ways can you make a home feel comfortable?

Making people feel comfortable is part of my secret sauce! Each space I design for my clients is so personal and all about collaboration with that person. I like to really go on a journey with them and figure out what it is that makes them feel good, what moment of their day, or what hobby, or what color. And then find ways to fold that into the design.

Homes & Gardens: Which project felt like a turning point in your career?

When I look back on my career, there is one moment that stands out as just this. I was recently married, and I got a call from Ronald Perlman's office. He was a big financier, and they wanted me to work on his house in Palm Beach. The catch was that they needed it done very quickly. I was like, ‘I'm not sure you understand, it takes a while to design a house,’ and they said, ‘We do understand, but you were recommended because you can do it. And if you can't, we'll find someone who can.’ Well! I love a challenge, and so I thought I'd better just find a way to make it work.

It was so exciting because it was a historical home and he had an amazing art collection. It was the first time I could hang a huge Hockney over a couch covered in Fortuny fabric, while playing with period pieces and giving the house a great energy. You knew you were in Palm Beach and the breeze was blowing, but I introduced a notion of informality that people in the area weren't familiar with. I slipcovered his couches, which was quite revolutionary for the time! And his friends saw it, and then they called me, changing the trajectory of my career, I'm sure.

Homes & Gardens: What did you learn from that project?

It opened up a whole world to me, showing me that I could push clients a little bit and create something special. But I always know when I'm about to push too far and it's time to pull back!

Homes & Gardens: How do you know how far you can push the design process?

You have to be very aware, keeping your eyes open and listening to everything – not just what is said by the clients but what is not said. Trust your instincts. I know when clients are happy and comfortable, so it’s taking all these observations and making decisions along the way to keep them like that.

Homes & Gardens: Outside of interiors, what fuels your creativity?

Art, fashion, traveling, living, just seeing new spaces – just being out in the world. When I was in design school, a professor said to me, 'Do you understand that with everything you see around you, someone made a decision about it,' and it was such an eye-opening thing to hear. Our environment has been designed by so many people – not always well, I might add! – and I respond to what people are doing and what decisions they’re making. I absolutely love to see something new on the runway; it makes you think about the possibilities. There was that recent Chanel show that had a girl with an amazing skirt, and I was so inspired. I need to do to drapery what they did to that skirt.

Homes & Gardens: What advice do you have for young designers?

Listen to your heart and listen to yourself. Design is a profession like anything else; it's not all instinct. If you are open to learning, then you will learn every day – I always do. You might have mastered scale or color, but design is more creative than just an algorithm. You have to raise the bar and open your imagination, and never try to be the same as someone else. Just be true to yourself.

Layered Lives is Homes & Gardens’ in-depth interview series with iconic creatives, where conversations delve far beyond the surface. We explore the memories, possessions, and passions that shape their aesthetic – revealing the personal stories and experiences that inform their work. Each feature is a richly layered portrait of life as well as design, offering you a glimpse into the minds and lives of the people behind the rooms we admire.

The table is the beating heart of your dining room ideas – and there's more to consider than the style of the furniture, or how many people it can seat, even though these things are still important.

But if you choose the wrong dining table shape, your entire room will feel off, and the flow will feel disjointed and awkward. But it turns out, designers have a fail-safe approach to choosing the right table shape. Here's their advice.

What's the Best Dining Table Shape?

Your dining table really is the heart of the space, dominating the majority of the floor space and the main furniture piece. So, choosing the right shape for your dining room is the most important part of the design process. But it's not as simple as one shape fits all.

'The correct shape of the dining table you select depends largely on the shape of the room you are putting it in. A long, rectangular room should have a long, rectangular or oval table. A square room looks best with a round table,' says interior designer Bethany Adams.

There's more to consider when choosing a dining table than just the shape of the room and table itself. Proportions, scale, and walkway space are all important factors that greatly impact the overall look and functionality of your space.

'Start by considering the dimensions of the room and the number of people you usually want to seat. Ensure there is enough circulation space around the table – at least one meter between the edge of the table and the walls or furniture,' says interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe.

Bethany agrees, adding, 'You must imagine the chairs pulled out 18" from the table, and then leave a minimum of 24" behind the chairs for people to pass behind for the room to feel gracious, not cramped.'

'Take note that the shape of the room could be affected by built-ins or other large pieces of furniture, and that's what you want to base your table shape on – the leftover floor area,' she adds.

The rectangular dining room above is a great example, which, due to the built-ins and hutch, actually becomes more of a square-shaped room, thus affecting the optimal dining table shape for the room.

Here's a simple and easy-to-follow breakdown of the different table shapes, and when best to use them, depending on the shape and size of your dining room.

A Rectangular or Oval Dining Table

A rectangular dining table is perhaps the most popular design. 'Most dining rooms are rectangular, and it makes sense for the table to echo its surroundings,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo.

If you have a long dining room, a table that follows those same proportions looks the most cohesive and creates the most practical floor and seating arrangement, especially if you want to accommodate more guests.

'Rectangular tables are best suited for spaces where you plan to seat more than ten people, making them ideal for large gatherings or holiday meals. They naturally fit well in longer rooms and provide a sense of formality while still feeling versatile,' says interior designer Tracy Morris.

'Many rectangular tables include leaves, allowing you to extend the length and adjust the size depending on the occasion. This flexibility makes them a timeless and practical choice for anyone who loves to entertain,' she adds. The Azzedine Extendable Dining Table from Wayfair is a great example.

If you have an open plan kitchen, living, and dining area, you'll usually find that a rectangular table works best, creating a more zoned feel and fitting seamlessly into a small section of one great room.

'They work well in rooms with multiple entrances or in open-plan layouts, and they make it easy to place benches along one side for flexible seating,' explains Lauren, who has designed several open-plan spaces with this approach.

'Rectangular tables also provide a clear line for decorative centerpieces, candles, or a runner. In smaller rooms, a rectangular table can also be paired with banquette seating along one wall to save space while keeping the seating comfortable and visually appealing,' she adds, highlighting their versatility.

And your dining room area doesn't necessarily have to be rectangular for this table shape to be the best fit, as Bethany explains. 'My own dining room in a 1897 eclectic Victorian has, I kid you not, 9 sides, but as it is longer than it is wide, I've had a rectangular and oval dining table in there and both looked great.'

And she makes a very valid point here – an oval dining table is often suited to the same spaces as rectangular ones because they, too, are long and narrow in form. But there's something about an oval that feels a touch more social, with better visual lines between every diner, and the traditional head of the table is less enforced, creating a more casual atmosphere.

'An oval dining table offers the most comfortable shape for conversation, whilst also being versatile, working well with a varied number of seats. This shape also lends itself beautifully to different styles of architecture without interrupting the flow of the room,' says Fred Horlock, design director at Neptune.

'Oval is a lovely option between round and rectangular, and it’s the dining table shape I opted for in my petite NYC dining room. I love the elegant contours and versatility of its gently curved silhouette,' adds Kathy.

A Round or Square Dining Table

If you're dining room doesn't meet the criteria for a rectangular or oval table, it's time to consider a round table. Often smaller, they are best suited to more compact rooms, smaller eat-in areas, and even spacious but square dining rooms, as it helps to level out the proportions of the room.

And Tracy agrees, explaining that, 'Round tables are perfect for seating eight or fewer guests, as they naturally encourage conversation and connection without anyone feeling left out.' And, as Fred notes, 'Round tables are easier to move around, making them great options for smaller, awkward spaces or corners.'

'They also work beautifully in square rooms, where the curved edges help soften the space and break up all the right angles. The shape feels inviting and relaxed, making it ideal for both everyday meals and more intimate gatherings. It’s a timeless choice that brings people together in the best way,' Tracy adds.

It's the intimacy and conversational layout of a round table that makes them so appealing. Especially when you're dining with smaller numbers, a round table removes the divide from one end of the table to another, so everyone feels involved.

'Round tables are ideal for smaller rooms or more intimate settings. They encourage conversation because everyone is at an equal distance, and there are no “ends” of the table, which can make a space feel more relaxed,' explains Lauren.

'They also work well in a bay window or cozy dining nook, where a rectangular table might feel too formal or imposing. Round tables can also pair beautifully with a curved banquette, creating a snug corner for seating that maximizes both comfort and space.'

But they are also perfect for a square-shaped dining room, and it's in these circumstances that you have the choice between a round or a square table. 'Square tables can look beautiful in smaller, more balanced spaces and feel modern when styled with clean lines,' says Tracy.

Choosing the right dining table shape for your home has never been easier. Work with the shape and layout of your dining room, and consider the flow and atmosphere you want to recreate – your dining room furniture really is crucial to the success of your design.