The tree is super wide, some presents are brown (!!!) and I’m star-less—so yes, I styled things differently AGAIN despite my thinking I was just going to do what we did last year. I used a lot of what I had, but mixed in some new pieces from Target and tried some new ideas. My holiday house style changes from year to year, but one thing remains the same: I like to do it early and I like A LOT of it. In previous years, we had an artificial tree, which of course means you get to deck your halls as early as you want (and for us, that meant early November). This time around, though, we had to wait until after Thanksgiving to head to the evergreen lot. But that didn’t stop me from starting on the rest of the house in mid-November and that was using restraint. I got my house DRUNK on holiday decor despite the fact that I have two small kids that would likely mess it up daily (I’ve since pulled it back a little for everyday living).
The version you are seeing today is the “party ready” Henderson holiday (or something that would speak to you if you like to go all out on every surface). This look is more to give ideas of what you can do but you certainly don’t have to do all of them. The style this year is more on the traditional side (led by that rug) and is layered and definitely dripping with holiday, without screaming it.
Here’s what I did…
Color Palette
I was inspired by the color palette of the rug, giving it one more shot before Blue Parakeet takes it back to sell (don’t worry, we’ll get it cleaned, but let her know if you are interested). I had already done the whole classic red-and-green thing in Portland earlier in the season, so I was mentally free to go a more modern route in my LA home.
Last year, I didn’t have enough warm tones in my holiday reveal and actually added a ton of blush and pink AFTER we shot it (because we shot in early November), so this year I learned my lesson and had a good mix of both warm and cool tones and layered it a lot more. Instead of red, I went with the more muted burgundies, mauves and blushes which were already in the rug.
I rearranged the room to maximize the seating and just try something new. My two club chairs sat together with the wing back in the other corner. It closed off the room a bit, but I also love how much seating it gave and the backs of those chairs are pretty and simple. There is something kinda Easter-y about the color palette but it’s really warm and happy and different.
I did try one chair over here for this shot because it looked a little empty without it, but technically it was right in front of the fireplace so it wouldn’t really live there.
Here’s what I love: I hacked that Target wreath and took off the red berries and added some greenery and it looks sooo pretty with the set up (it looked equally pretty in Portland as purchased, but because it worked better with the palette there). It’s such a huge scale and the fact that I don’t have to repurchase it next year is pretty great.
My stance on real versus faux greenery is this: It’s a lifestyle choice much like real marble versus quartz. One is more beautiful but expensive (because it’s only for one season, if that), it can be messy and high maintenance (plus, you have to throw it away), and the other is less naturally beautiful and with less smell but generally easier to live with and deal with (and these days, they can be super pretty). I bought the garlands at the flower market for $50 for 75 feet. They are a mix of cedar and fur, and then we shoved in some eucalyptus to mix it up. The smell, shape and drape are all so pretty but, folks, it is high maintenance. There are needles to clean up, and it does better for longer if you mist it regularly. I think next year, I want to try what I did with the wreath—buy a faux one, but add in some real greenery to bring in the smell and almost trick the eye into thinking it’s all real.
That cozy white fir blanket up there on that sofa…it’s a lovefest with that. It has indeed become my “blanky.” I snuggle with it in the morning when I write before the kids wake up and bring it upstairs at night to sleep with.
All the wood accents (like the wood vase and tray on the coffee table) really adds so much warmth and character to the light and airy palette. I LOVE IT.
What I don’t love love love is the sofa with the curtains with the rug—it’s going a bit granny for me but I think with a neutral rug (like this one below), it would feel instantly more modern.
Because the house is dripping with holiday decor, we kept with a simple theme of greenery, white lights and houses (that light up) with a lot of white textures and ornaments strewn about. Can you imagine how over-the-top this would look if it were an explosion of color and patterns?
Those white trees are so simple and we turn them on every night to add holiday ambience. I did realize that garland is chicer WITHOUT lights, it just looks more natural and “cool” but at night, I love that they light up.
That Goat (!!!)
Chip and Joanna (Hearth & Hand With Magnolia) are not good for my bank account (and yes, I get a budget for the holiday decor from Target, but they aren’t bankrolling my general shopping/hoarding habits).
Probably my favorite vignette per usual is with that antique French sideboard. The wood beads, the wood vase and those white houses that light up create a very simple ambience that makes SO me happy. After the shoot, my kids kinda destroyed all the presents and random greenery so I paired it back and it’s just as pretty.
The star ornament is an obvious favorite for Charlie, which we had to remove or put up high, but they are really graphic and the perfect complement to a typical ball while being more sculptural.
The Textiles
These are sooooo good. I tried mixing in more pattern but ultimately the rug is the pattern moment and I just wanted the rest to be simple, but full of soft texture. Like I said, my favorites are the faux fur blankets, and the cable-knit and round velvet pillows.
In this corner, we switched out the blue demilune (which I might sell or donate because all of a sudden I’m questioning it—can a demilune ever be cool? Was I crazy when I hopped on the slow-moving demilune table train?). I apparently really like this wingback and side table combo as I used it in the Threshold fall content, Portland holiday and here. The blue fur is headed straight to the mountain house and those faux green trees are peppered around the house (from last year, but still for sale) and might go up there, too, to make decorating up there easier every year.
The Tree
This is my favorite tree that we’ve EVER had. It fits that bay window perfectly. Brian wanted a more traditional tree and I wanted a more Charlie Brown-style like we had in the dining room last year, so I felt that this was in the middle. He thought it was weird for sure, but it grew on him. Scale-wise, it’s just PERFECT. It couldn’t be too much taller because it needed to fit in that window nook, but any skinnier and it would look dinky (like last year).
If someone can make a faux version of this (“natural” Noble Fir that’s 5-feet wide and 7 1/2-feet tall), that would be GREAT. We peppered it with some family ornaments, plenty of plastic balls and a lot of white animals that the kids loved. All the kids’ handmade ornaments are up on their trees in their rooms (which we aren’t re-shooting because it looks just like last year, but see Elliot’s and Charlie’s if you are curious).
We always frame pictures of the kids with the year on it, and this year we framed shots of Bearcat and Mimi so they would remember that this was the year they passed.
Hot tip: The porcelain frames are pretty heavy to hang on a more delicate tree like ours, so we have those instead on shelves and have these lighter wood ones on the tree.
General Decor
We used the same general themes throughout the living room surfaces—greenery, lights, white light up houses, ornaments and even wrapped some books (not necessary but a fun hack if you are having a party and want to take it next level).
I LOVE those pink trees that light up. They’re great for a vignette that might feel too serious or dark. They lighten things up both visually and physically and bring in a TINY bit of glam which I’m always into during the holidays. We wrapped the books (don’t put a bow on the bottom one or it gets wobbly) which is a nice touch for a party, but regular books (in our color palette OF COURSE) would have looked good, too.
For the shelving, I once again removed a lot of the books and kept the color palette simple and of course CURRENTLY, I like it better.
It honestly has so much to do with my mental state. During the holidays, I like the IDEA of more, but have such mental chaos that I end up paring back the whole house a bit in order to add decor. Those Hearth & Hand wooden ornaments are amazing (and such a great hostess gift—4 for $35 and they look very expensive, so you could break them up and wrap them in a box and look the best guest ever). Also, I just want to make sure you saw that I read Plato to the children on the weekends. They have moved on from Nietzsche, it was a bit pedestrian to them.
That’s the general Henderson Holiday Home tour. If you are wondering how we did it and how much the kids helped, here’s the real answer: The kids decorated their trees before we left for Thanksgiving because they are faux). Then, the kids stayed up at the grandparents with Brian while I could get it to a place that they could help. Because of my job (which I obviously LOVE), we have more decorating needs than a normal family so the chaos that usually ensues by pulling boxes out of the garage is times 100 in our house. I rearranged the furniture, and pulled out everything, played with the textiles, removed the books, etc., so that when they got home, they could trim the tree and play with the houses, etc.
We don’t live on a daily basis with 30 fake presents surrounding the tree because that would ignite a nightly battle with my children, I know this for a fact. It’s not that they have no self control or discipline but it’s torture for them to play in a room full of presents, no matter how much they understand that they are empty and “just for photos.” But for a party, or if you want to go all out and maybe you don’t have present-hungry monsters, then a lot of these ideas are, well, ones that I LOVE.
Ninety shots later, we got this photo, with only one child doing a totally fake smile, and the other one her best performance of “innocently adorable.” Wonder where she got that idea…
This photo is more accurate.
We have to tickle, bribe and talk about “tooting” in order to get them to laugh.
There you go. This post wasn’t officially sponsored by Target, but as you can probably guess, I worked with them on all the holiday decor, textiles and a lot of the accessories, which means it’s all affordable and available (if it’s not sold out). If you are still in the decorating phase then hopefully you got some good ideas on how to go all out for a fun party.
Now all I want to do is decorate a “Holiday Mountain Minimal” up at the cabin with just a few green and white elements. Let’s see if it will be done by then. If not, I’m going to take that white weapon-like ornament and stab it into my eye over and over again in order to numb my disappointment and frustration. 🙂
HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HERE IS YOUR GET THE LOOK:
[drawattention ID=183207]
1. Wreath Gold Wire with Red Berry Pine | 2. House Bud Vase | 3. Small Mercury Glass Tree Christmas Figurine | 4. Large Mercury Glass Tree Christmas Figurine | 5. Bear and Trees Cloche | 6. Turned Accent Table Large Black | 7. Wingback Chair | 8. Blue Faux Fur Throw Blanket | 9. Cable Knit Lumbar Pillow | 10. House Stocking Holder (set of 2) | 11. Wooden Spindle Ornaments (set of 4) | 12. Hand Knit Christmas Stocking | 13. Faux Fur Pelt | 14. Pouf | 15. Tree Collar | 16. Medium Wood Vase | 17. Large Wood Vase | 18. Large Bottle Brush Christmas Tree | 19. Mauve Velvet Pillow | 20. Pom Square Throw Pillow Cream | 21. Berry Velvet Pillow | 22. Pleated Velvet Round Throw Pillow | 23. Fabric Mini Birds Christmas Ornament (set of 4) | 24. Small Birch Wrap Tree Christmas Figurine | 25. Large Birch Wrap Tree Christmas Figurine | 26. Lit Laser Cut Deer Scene | 27. Ceramic House Christmas Ornament | 28. Rosegold/Champagne Ornaments (set of 70) | 29. Bear Figurine | 30. Wooden Plumbob Figural (set of 4) | 31. Garland Wood Beads | 32. Glitter Spike Starburst Christmas Ornament (set of 4) | 33. Silver Ornaments (set of 8) | 34. Winter Furry Animals Ornaments (set of 4) | 35. 2018 Picture Frame Ornament | 36. Black and White Star Ornaments (set of 8) | 37. Large White Wooden Tree | 38. Gnomes Christmas Ornament (set of 4) | 39. Rocking Horse | 40. Woven Stripe Throw Blanket | 41. Cream Texture Faux Fur Throw | 42. Pink Texture Faux Fur Throw | 43. Glitter Deer Christmas Ornament (set of 4)
***Photography by Sara Tramp for EHD
My favorite holiday decoration you ever made! But my favorite pictures are the ones of your kids. When did they get so big???? so so lovely, bless them.
I know you struggle with that rug in your living room…and maybe it is because I am 66 and lived though mid-century modern…but it really does look wonderful and warm in your living room. I think it ties it all together.
I agree. It looks beautiful in there.
I’m all aboard the mid-century train and usually like more modern things, but I love it as well. It just looks right in the space.
This is so beautiful that my heart is racing (could it be the 4 cups of coffee?) no. It’s the decor. Stunning. I might quit working right now and go start puttering about in my living room and re-doing half of it. Copper and brown?! Why didn’t I think of that?
Also, I just want to make sure you saw that I read Plato to the children on the weekends. They have moved on from Nietzsche, it was a bit pedestrian to them. – dying
Also. Emily, I hate to be the one to tell you you’re wrong but NOTHING about this is granny. Trust me. My granny had a ‘davenport’ as she called it covered in blue and brown peacocks and not one but 2 giant recliners. THIS is gorgeous. And my heart is a little sad that you’re going to sell that rug. Every time I see pics of it with that sage green couch I melt a little….i’m sure the next will be stunning as well tho.
It looks beautiful. I want to steal every fur blanket on display in this room. I love the size and scale of that tree. It would not work in my home because we high ceilings and not as much width to play with, but it looks absolutely perfect in yours.
Hope you and your family are having a joyful holiday season!
Super pretty! Where is your dress from? I looooove it 🙂
It’s from Madewell but no longer available, unfortunately!
I love this — especially the coppery tones and all the natural greenery! I’m not sure I’ll ever be fully on board with faux greenery but it’s definitely more convenient. And I still love the rug. I hope you address all the feedback you got on the post about the rug soon. Off to buy the goat… ?
The rug and the couch are awesome! It does not feel granny to me at all! More modern but lived in with some vintage! thanks for the decoration inspo!
Lovely!
Dress please, of please, info?
Madewell (but not available anymore).
It is very pretty! I like that you recycled some of the items you used before – I understand the need to create content, but I think (or hope) most of people don’t buy a set of new decorations every year. And I am a huge fan of this rug tbh, I think it is very Emily.
THAT TREE IS EVERYTHING!! OMG!! (also, where is your dress from?!)
I love this – so natural, pretty, and subtle – everywhere you look it’s like, oh! that’s so nice! The best design in my opinion. 🙂 And absolutely, my three-year-old was just bored to death of Nietzsche – we’ve moved on to debating Joyce’s influence on modern literature. I think his work is haunting and complex. Leo feels he’s a bit pedantic. Alas.
The width of that tree is perfection!!!
Beautiful family! Kids look adorable 🙂 Have great holidays! And, yes, where is your dress from? love it 🙂
I love the green couch/antique rug combo, personally. It looks like a cozy English country home, especially this time of year! I also love your tree, and the addition of the ornaments with the cats on them is so so sweet. What a great idea.
Take the chaise to the mountain house! Maybe it would work better in a setting that has some little moments where you can truly (hopefully) relax since you’re getting away for the weekend/week/whatever. I want to see you make it work, but just maybe not this living room?
While beautiful, not my style. It’s a bit too overcrowded with stuff, ‘tchokes’, and would be overwhelming for me. Can you show a pared down version for us minimalists?
Where is your dress from? Super cute!
Hi Emily, I love this Christmas decor! When my daughter was younger I used to give her a roll of wrapping paper and tape and she would wrap up toys and books that she already had. Then she would open them up and pretend to be surprised when ever she wanted to open presents. It made it easier to wait for Christmas! Kids always like to act things out over and over!
Love it! Very sophisticated and I bet the room smells fantastic too.
The decor makes your beams above shine. (Yes – I know – it’s not exactly Henry VIII / Hampton Court but definitely has an element of a grand Tudor feasting hall.)
Also like the mauve cushions on the sofa! They add warmth and interest to the various blues and neutrals.
Oh, I love this idea of picture frame ornaments with the year on it! Where are the wooden versions from?
Every aspect of this post is fabulous. I especially love that you explain shoot decisions, real world aspects, and party possibilities. Would you consider posting some holiday decorating ideas earlier next year? It would be great to have your inspiration right after Thanksgiving.
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This room looks GORGEOUS! The tree is stunning and I bet the smell is delicious. I love all the little touches that scream “Christmas!” Lastly, I must address that beautiful rug that’s on its way out. If you don’t love it, obviously, it should go back to where you got it but if you’re on the fence, KEEP THIS RUG! It falls in your color pallet and I even love the sofa with it…just my 2 cents. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!
Hi Emily! I have the same piano, and can’t find any bench that convinces me… Where did you find yours? It’s gorgeous! I love it! And your side table between your chairs, is it new?
Please tell us where the piano bench is from / how you made it!
I agree, I would love to know where that piano bench is from!
Ditto! Dying over that bench!
Hi! It is our Safari Bench and you can see it on our site: http://www.katyskelton.com!
Emily I love you and I’ll always love you but for me there are just too many things going on in this room. Maybe I’m swinging more minimalist these days, and I just finished KonMari’ing my home so maybe that’s where I’m coming from, but all that stuff makes me a bit anxious. Not to say it isn’t gorgeous because of course it is, I just don’t know where to rest my eyes. But that said, there is a lot here to inspire. Your tree especially – great choice.
My thoughts exactly.
OK, but where are Brian’s boots from???!
I’m with Bethany – a men’s style story please!
This post made me smile, smile, smile. The family shot with the smiles (including “innocently adorable” – ha ha!) was too cute. I enjoyed seeing every picture (the vignettes, the pulled-back shots).
I appreciate the thought about demilunes.
Just here to say that I love the new room layout! I’m not sure how it functions for you in real life, but as a reader, the pictures look so much cleaner and I’m able to focus on a few things at a time. I know you probably like the bookcases, but this layout lets them be in the room without having the visual of them in every shot. And I like the little peek-a-boo into the kitchen too!
I quite like this. I usually don’t like styled Holiday decorations [Holidays should be about family and that should allow for sentiment. If there isn’t a place for the ornaments from your childhood or something from your Grandparent then you aren’t really celebrating the holiday]. That said, I am so over “Granny” used as a pejorative. It is ageist and kind of mean spirited.
I am having tree envy! It’s gorgeous!
I have that dress and I am having the hardest time figuring out how to keep the top closed so that when I stretch my arms or bend over it doesn’t gape open. How did you secure yours closed?
We went to a farm this year for our tree, and they were great about describing the pros/cons of each tree type!
We got a Leland Fir- it doesn’t shed at all! The branches are more feathery looking than a Douglas Fir, but they’re really beautiful! And no needles on the floor!! Game changer for us!
You still have OrHANDo’s chair? I’m dying.
That’s Emilys chair Orlando stole for awhile lol
So stunning!! I love the scale of the tree, and the colors are unexpected and beautiful.
I really hope you warm up to this couch being in the room, that shot of the couch with the kitchen island visible through the door is gorgeous. The rooms play so nicely together!
I love your comment “mentally free” to go another route. That basically sums up all big decision making during Christmas. I always feel obligated to stick with green and red cause it’s so traditional but you have opened my eyes lady!! I am swooning. We’ve been travelling a lot lately so I havent had time to get out my Christmas stuff but after my wonderful carpet cleaners come this week and get the whole house ready for the festivities I’m thinking I might just go buy all new stuff;)
It all looks so welcoming and definitely party ready! When I saw your tree, the first thought I had was, “this is exactly the tree shape and size I love”. I’m with you on wishing someone would produce a faux version. Loving the side table & wingback chair combo.
Love all of this!! Where are the ceramic houses from?
Omg the Plato comment… this is why I keep coming back here and thinking of you as a friend
Love the couch and rug, and that French sideboard. Is the couch comfortable? I need to buy a new couch, and need comfy and stylish. Isn’t that the bench you had in your last house but you had borrowed?
I am in love with this layout! I love those 2 chairs on that side of the room and how that works. I know it works right now because of the massive and beautiful tree but I dig it for sure! And I am team keep the rug too! But it will be fabulous no matter what you do.
Merry Christmas to you and your families! xoxo
Absolutely beautiful! This might be my favorite holiday decorating you’ve done. Love the sofa and rug and all the blushes and coppers. The tree is so perfect too! I’d love to know where the little house stocking holders are from. The ones in the link are different, I’m sure for a good reason, but I just really prefer the ones in your pictures.
Who is abstract in living room near tree by?
good gracious, woman, that little girl looks EXACTLY like you. lucky girl!! they are gorgeous. and i LOVE the shape of that tree, it looks perfect in that spot.
You have such a beautiful family and such great style. I want your entire home. Exactly. I’m pinning this post and sending it to my family so they can shop for me. Thanks so much for sharing your talent.
And, is there any chance you could put a word into Target for them to create a similar rug?
Where is your log holder and fireplace tools? This is unrealistic.
lol…kids
Could you please tell us where you got the wood ornaments that have your family’s photos? Love that idea!
Emily, not only do I love your decorating abilities, but your humor game is on fire in this post! The line about debating philosophy with your children had me laughing out loud!
I think this tree by Balsam Hill is a pretty close fake tree to the (adorable) real tree you have! https://www.balsamhill.com/p/european-fir
I have to comment on how you have the room arranged. I LOVE the placement of the chairs. I don’t know what you will need to bring in when the Xmas tree is gone, but having the chairs sort of close off the room works so well. I think instead of it looking like a huge, long space that you are trying to turn into a living room, the chairs sort of define the parameters and make it much more cozy. I’m a fan! Also want to say that the view that shows the funky piano/cool bench and dining room with the eclectic wooden chairs is also fab. I think these changes look so much more like you. It all looks interesting, collected – such a cool vibe. I know it’s a Tudor, but I guess I’m just not as into the Tudor look as what you’ve been bringing in lately. It’s really working now.
Where did you go to get your gorgeous Christmas tree? I’ve only found big box store tree lots in LA. Thanks!
Oh no! You’re getting rid of That Rug? But I voted for it! Ha! Did I miss the post on that decision? So now what rug will you use? Beautiful tree, perfect in its niche.
That rug looks amazing in this space! And I agree that your tree is 100% perfection. I feel the same way about Christmas and wanting all the decor but then getting overwhelmed. Loved this post and I hope you don’t have to stab your eye out, lol!!!
Thank you for this post. Best of luck!
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The bead neckless on Birdy’s neck cracks me up 🙂 As for the decor – ‘magnifique’
I love your tree!
Honestly, I think this is the best this room has ever looked. It’s GORGEOUS. The furniture placement really works like this, and the rug and sofa and everything else somehow just look right together in this configuration. Would you consider leaving it like this permanently? I mean, not the 7ft tree obviously, but you could get something else to go in the bay window year round 🙂
It’s really beautiful, Emily – happy holidays!
Every thing is elegant…..the family picture is indeed a prize.
Love the tree and furniture rearranging. Your choice of a round wreath complements the shape of your fireplace so well! Perhaps you might try a round boxwood wreath or frame for after the holidays. Thanks for another year of wonderful inspiration!
This is utter perfection! Wow!
I personally love the sofa with that rug, it doesn’t scream granny to me, I think it looks very rich and textured and subtle and I want it all!
Is the wrapping paper and ribbon all from Target too?
Emily, love your holiday decorating. And that you take the effort to read Plato to your kids. So important to teach philosophical reasoning to littles…
I don’t know which I enjoy more; your styling or your writing. Guess I’ll just have to keep reading until I figure that out.
I love the pouf I had to go out and buy one. Really cute and a great price! (On sale right now plus it also has a coupon)
I LOVE this look! I loved your living room last Christmas too, but this one is my favorite because I LOVE a lighter, more feminine style with warm pinks and rich purples 🙂
Where did you find you read gorgeous gift wrap? I am beyond tired of the traditional red and green Santa paper ??♀️ I’ve always stuck with silver and white in an attempt to avoid the cheesy papers, but with 4 kids, the pile of silver-wrapped gifts lacks depth and interest 🙁
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I disagree
– Veronique
I really like the Christmas tree placement in the bay window. Having that window open to the room, instead of blocked by a sofa, really opens up the room. After Christmas, I would love to see the bay remain open to the room, perhaps with a round “card/games” table and a couple of chairs?
And I like the new room arrangement – it’s very inviting.
Did Birdie do her own hair? I’m loving the mismatched barrettes – she’s a true creative just like her mom.
Merry Christmas!