This holiday season feels extra special — it’s our family’s first Christmas in our new-to-us home, a place we plan to settle into for years to come.
Decorating For The Holidays
This post is sponsored by Serena & Lily.
When you move into a house with plans to renovate, every little corner that already feels like you is a gift. Even though we’ll be doing a major downstairs renovation eventually, we still wanted to fill this home with holiday charm. We’re hosting friends and family here, so I focused on styling rooms to feel cozy and welcoming.
I had my eye on the pinecone wreaths last year but missed them after the holidays — so I was thrilled Serena & Lily brought them back this season. I considered hanging the wreaths inside, but the exterior of this house is one of its best features. I wanted the porch to welcome guests looking its very best.
The ribbon on the wreath has wire inside so it keeps a perfect shape. I paired it with a playful Felix Navidad doormat from a small Etsy shop to add personality at the door.
In the guest room I leaned into green for a holiday-ready palette.
This room is built on a black-and-white neutral base that’s easy to layer. The Miramonte pillows in moss and the Palermo throw in moss coordinate beautifully with the seasonal greenery on the nightstands. A good green pillow really pops in autumn and feels festive throughout winter.
If your home already features lots of blue, you can still create a cozy holiday vibe — blues and greens play well together. Our Hillsborough rug, which used to be in my home office, works nicely layered under the bed and adds depth when paired with green accents.
I adore this rug. It’s best suited for lower-traffic areas like bedrooms or offices where it will be easier to keep clean, but its texture and pattern make a room feel finished.
For lighting I wanted a sophisticated feel. The dark bronze and brass lamps on the nightstand are new this season and have an antique quality that I love. The mix of bronze, brass and raffia feels unexpected but perfectly balanced.
Do you style beds with lots of pillows? A basket to contain extra pillows is a practical and pretty solution. In a guest room it keeps things tidy and gives visitors an easy place to stash throw pillows before bed.
We keep sleeping pillows for guests in a rectangular La Jolla basket at the foot of the bed so overnight visitors can simply toss the decorative pillows in the basket when they turn in.
Creating a dedicated “Christmas table” is one of my favorite holiday traditions — it’s such a lovely decorating moment. This year we mixed greens and blues for a cheerful, layered tablescape.
Since moving in, the kitchen has felt dated and I’ve been eager to start the renovation, but adding our Downing Table to the breakfast nook has made the space feel instantly more like home. It’s a functional piece that has transformed how the room feels and works for family life.
The tablescape begins with woven scalloped-edge placemats that provide texture and a classic base. I layered linen napkins and mixed in tapered candles with scalloped Capiz hurricanes for a warm, elevated look. Those hurricanes are great outdoors in warmer months but work beautifully inside for the holidays.
After the holiday table was cleared, I moved the tapered candles to our bedroom dresser where they look elegant and understated. Small touches like this help the house feel personal and finished.
I hope these glimpses into our home and holiday styling with Serena & Lily bring a bit of inspiration to your season. It’s a joy to have corners of our home that already feel like ours, and we’re enjoying every cozy moment here.
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