Kathy’s Favorite Holiday Décor and How to Recreate the Warm, Elevated Look in 3 Simple Steps

Welcome to the holiday season! Here at KKH, our team has fully transitioned into holiday mode. We even brought a taste of the magic to my apartment. (Yes, it’s only October and I already have my Christmas tree up!)

"The brief for this year’s holiday décor scheme? Warm, elevated, and brimming with cheer." 

There’s something about a nontraditional holiday color palette I’ve always found so dreamy. Forget bright shades of red and green. I’d much rather decorate with rich, moody colors that infuse a hint of romance and old-world charm into a home (think olive green, slate blue, and chocolate brown). And it never hurts to bring in a smattering of metallics like gold, silver, and bronze for that polished, glowy look I love. In today’s post, I’m sharing my holiday decorating tips, plus my favorite holiday decorations that make it easy to get the look in your home.

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1. Start with Natural Elements

In my home, the holiday decorations always begin with the tree, and I personally like to have two Christmas trees. The first is a design-forward tree for me, dressed with ornaments in a gracious neutral palette, pampas grass stems, pinecones, and lots of pretty velvet bows! The second tree is the kids’ creation, a perfectly mismatched gem that’s home to all of the treasured ornaments our family has collected or made ourselves over the years. Beyond the trees, I love to create a decorative base with natural elements like wreaths and garland. This year, I went with a pampas grass wreath that adds a hint of whimsy and a gorgeous textural element to the living room. She’s a brand new addition to the KKH Holiday Shop and I absolutely adore her.

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Shop Natural Elements and Greenery

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2. Layer the Mantel with Holiday Treasures

The stockings are obviously the star of the show on the mantel, and I adorned each one with a glass ornament for a little extra embellishment. Behind the stockings, I created an oh-so-festive scene using a mix of our ever-popular Simon Pierce glass trees, gold candleholders, and a charming set of gold dinner bells. Created by the wildly talented team at UrbanStems, floral bouquets in gorgeous glazed ceramic vases anchor the vignette. To keep the overall design story cohesive, I continued the tree theme of pampas stems, pinecones, and velvet bows to the garland on the mantel. If you don’t have a mantel in your home (super common in NYC apartments!), another flat service can easily stand in. The top of a console table, dresser, or bookshelf are all effortless options.

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Shop Holiday Mantel Decorations

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3. Dress the Space with Cozy Textures and Candlelight

Last but never ever least, I focus on all things cozy: the textiles and lighting that create a warm, glowy atmosphere. These are the elements that make a holiday living room not only beautiful but also wonderfully comfortable. Best of all is their enduring quality. They feel perfectly in keeping with the holiday season but will still be fitting long after the curtain closes on Christmas day. In the living room, I styled taper candles and filled the fireplace with glowing pillar candles in varying heights and sizes. I layered my beloved Amelie and Madeline sofas with lush velvet throw pillows and patterned pillows in the prettiest botanical prints (our Beatrix pillow and Everlee pillow are exclusive to KKH and I’m fully obsessed). And I completed the homey scene with a handful of throw blankets, aka the ultimate cozy accessory. My favorite throws are luxe cashmere, classic cotton, and plush faux fur—you can’t go wrong with any option!

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Shop Cozy Holiday Accents

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Kathy Kuo Studio