Nicola's Home Blog

While I add something new every year, there are certain threads weaving together all my holiday decorating. I love wreaths—and I use them indoors and out, in as many windows as possible. This year I added a sweet touch by framing small family photographs and tying them with ribbons to each indoor wreath, framing happy memories of holidays past in evergreen. I chose a cheery red gingham ribbon for my wreaths and let that ribbon inspire a more homespun look for the rest of my decor.

My tree is always eclectic. I recommend wrapping the base in a nest of raffia; it mimics a tree’s natural environment, looks both elegant and rustic, and is inexpensive and easy to find. I always counsel clients to avoid rigid themes, but if you are choosing to coordinate your tree’s decor try to leave a space for the handmade and the well loved. No tree is complete for me without the ornaments Maeve has made throughout the years. Those fragile creations of paper, glitter and glue are so precious to me.

I deck my halls—and my porch, my mantel, my windows and my doors—in evergreens. No candle or air freshener comes close to imitating the sharply sweet scent of fresh pine. Paired with bittersweet, holly or whatever inspires you, evergreen trussed over windows and chandeliers calls Dickens to mind. Draped over mantels or arranged in vases or urns it brings a magical winter forest indoors. Lights are optional, but add the perfect glow.

Speaking of ornaments, you can never, ever have too many ornaments. I encourage everyone to have a treasure chest of holiday decorations. Children – of all ages! – grow attached to the decorations you’ve used in the past. A certain snowman or Santa sparks holiday anticipation; memories stick to ornaments like glitter. My own stash includes my collection of vintage snowmen, my daughter Maeve’s handiwork, family heirlooms and much more. And every year I choose a new ornament (or a handful of new ornaments) to add to my collection. Don’t confine them to the tree—hang them on wreaths or fill an antique bowl for a stunning centerpiece. Have fun!

How are you decorating this year?