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Are you excited for the arrival of winter celebrations? These local experts share how they ready their homes for the holiday season.
“I like to start with the front door. That’s the space that greets you and your guests even before you enter and sets the mood of the season. We are lucky enough to have a front porch, which I love to decorate. I love nature and natural elements, so come fall, pumpkins, gourds, and mums line the staircase and fill the window boxes. In early December, the window boxes are filled with a mix of fresh evergreens, many just from the yard. Garlands and lights twinkle on the railing, and if company is coming, and I have time, I light candles in the lanterns on the sides of our door to welcome them.” —Lisa McTernan, Lifestyles and Interiors by Lisa McTernan
“I always change the flowers I bring in, including red berries and olive branches, and the scents of candles, to include woodsy, smoke embers or red currant or fig; I also like playing music in the house. I like to light candles, too, to add more light as the days get shorter and darker.” —Tami Wassong, Tami Wassong Interiors
“The holiday season is a great time to up your guest-room game. Crisp linens with a fluffy comforter invite a great night’s sleep or perhaps a new throw in a cozy fabric. New bedside lamps or wall-mounted sconces give the room an updated look. Decorating for the holiday season does not have to mean transforming your home in holiday colors. It can mean something more spiritual about welcoming the important people in your life with inviting, thoughtful changes that make them feel like you tried to make them comfortable and happy!” —Debra Funt, Debra Funt Interiors
Setting the Table for the Holidays
Juliette D’errico, owner of Scarsdale-based tablescape company Suburban Picnic (914.646.4618), knows how to take an often-overlooked space and make it magical. During the holidays, the dining room table transforms from storage, shelving, and even an office space for some, into a place of gathering and gratitude for the people around us. It’s only fitting, then, that the table setting and design signify that time of refresh and refinement. When sourcing tableware and decor, D’errico notes that one doesn’t have to tumble into a luxury big-box store for a sense of elegance. “A great place to source items, especially if you’re just beginning to design your space, is in thrift stores and outlets. Giving preloved items a new life not only creates a space for special pieces to be attainable but is also sustainability-minded.” – Cristiana Caruso
Related: Celebrate the Holidays in Style With These Hosting and Decorating Tips
