I was granted the honour of participating in last month’s Holiday Home Tour for Hope, an annual charity event and gala hosted by the Nite of Hope that raises funds in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The three-day event allowed attendees to tour five homes, each styled by a designer in a stunning holiday setting.
While I love the festive season, my take on traditional holiday décor is more understated; especially within such grand spaces as those featured on the Tour, the charm of tinsel and nostalgic green-and-red ornamentation is lost to me. I wanted to create a holiday style for the home assigned to me that would be reflective of the interior décor I had just updated in a separate project for the homeowner, and follow the vision of a minimalist, masculine elegance.
Styling this home left me with a few key tips on approaching Christmas décor and the essentials needed for creating the ultimate holiday soirée. Here are the Coles notes on nailing that whole hostess-with-the-mostess thing.
Make a grand entrance
Whether you've got a massive foyer or a tiny, shoe-crammed hallway as the entrance for your home, don’t forget to address the space. It’s the first welcome your guests have, so adding the right art or a few curated decorations will make it feel like part of the party.
Pick a palette
While a mishmash of decorations from Christmases past can be cute, committing to a colourway instantly adds polish to your holiday décor. Aim for a palette that suits your current style, allowing the space and the decorations to work together.
Keep it simple
Here’s where that old saying “Less is more” becomes crucial. Be selective in the decorations you choose, and think about how to achieve the biggest impact with the smallest number of pieces. Allowing open (undecorated) space offers room for your favourite ornamentation to really shine. Beyond the tree, opt for only one or two holiday-themed pieces per area, to give the essence of Christmas without overwhelming your home.
Detail the setting to the guests
When choosing your table-setting, think about the nature of your event and who’s attending. For a more formal affair, heavily layer each setting to create high drama. Little details go a long way when styling a table, so adding personalized touches will make your guests feel like super-VIPs. If there are kids coming, make them feel included as well. Creating a kiddie table that matches the theme and colourway of the rest of the party allows everyone to have fun without compromising the overall décor.
Cheers to that
Hosting a party will keep you busy, so take one thing off your to-do list and create a dedicated bar area where people can fetch their own drinks, rather than you spending the night topping everyone up. Stick to the décor theme when styling this area. Choosing a few barware items that match the style and palette of the party is a simple way to make it look ultra-chic.
