FOR THE LOVE OF: Red (Holiday Styling!)

Holiday styling can be anything you want it to be! Some like to go to town on a grand scale with lots of glitz and glitter, while others prefer something simple, perhaps with a rustic vibe. Go with whatever hits your happy spot. What inspires you!? Some years I feel like puttering for hours or days on end. This year, with the social distancing and knowing we wouldn’t have a huge get-together, I wanted something simple and less complicated. 2020 has overwhelmed us with its endless list of complications. Enough already! This lovely image hits all the right notes, simple, warm, and oh so welcoming.

Dying to see more? You can “visit” the rest of this lovely farmhouse renovation in the video below (Bonus: You don’t even have to leave your home! Take that, 2020!)

Thanks to Covid outside seating is more important than ever. It doesn’t take much to create a cozy outdoor seating nook. Light a fire, get the hot chocolate ready, invite a friend, and enjoy the great outdoors!

We use lots of red accents to bring the holiday feeling to our homes and studio. We often fill our entry planters and window boxes with wonderful red accents, such as winterberry, and then add other embellishments such as birch, pinecones, or ribbons. You see the look we’re going for?

Here’s a little holiday gift idea (HINT: hire a local artist to paint an image of something near and dear to your heart). Does anyone recognize this space? Tricia Shaw is just around the corner from our studio. Her beautiful watercolor artwork is on display at our studio and in our homes. Check her Instagram feed to see more ideas!

The Bees are mad for plaid! Nothing makes a home feel more cozy and welcoming than a pop of red plaid. Now there’s a perch begging for a good book, and of course, the beverage of your choice!

I used to spend a small fortune on fancy ribbons and paper, but these days I’ve been using a simple and more budget-friendly strategy. I always have Kraft paper on hand and use it for the bulk of my presents. Yup, you got it, it’s all in the details. The look is quite simple and budget-friendly, but the overall impact is quite stunning! You can dress it up with custom artwork, or block printing which is also a fave. See our simple but stunning wrapping “recipe” below.

Kraft paper + ribbon + backyard clippings + pine cones + homemade tag = a winning impression!

Finally, let’s tackle the biggest “elephant” in the room (or rather the biggest “tree” in the room!). We all know that real Christmas trees are the “bee’s knees” but with all the logistical complications of 2020, you may not have the luxury of getting the real thing. We get it. Plus, sometimes a “fake” tree is easier, especially with littles around or when your “littles” are all grown up and out of the house. And for those that suffer from allergies a “fake” is a must.

A great article from Clever, via Architectural Digest, has a plethora of great ideas on how to amp up that artificial tree as well as some great “real-looking” options!

For instance, why not dress up your fake tree with cascading red ribbon? Easy, budget-friendly, but it adds quite the impact! Plus, as Clever says, it takes up quite a bit of real estate on the tree so you don’t even realize it’s fake!

So there you have it, our simple recipes for creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere, inside and out. A little pop of red goes a long way.

Get creative and let your imagination run wild. We would love to hear from you. Please share your tips for creating a joyful environment! From our home to yours, we wish you good health and a very peaceful holiday season. Better days are just around the corner!