As the holiday season approaches, homeowners and design enthusiasts alike eagerly anticipate the opportunity to transform their living spaces into warm, inviting sanctuaries. Beyond the traditional trappings of twinkling lights and evergreen wreaths, there lies a world of unexpected design elements that can elevate your holiday decor to new heights.
Embracing Modern Minimalism with a Touch of Tradition
The holiday season is a time when our homes become more than just functional spaces – they become the backdrop for cherished memories, laughter, and celebrations. SB Long Interiors, an award-winning residential interior design firm in Dallas, offers a fresh perspective on holiday decor that combines modern minimalism with traditional sentimentality.
“I’ve always appreciated the holiday season for the way it renews our relationship with our homes,” shares Susan Bednar Long, the firm’s founder. “Quiet, everyday living quarters fill with laughter, becoming bed and breakfasts for visiting family and party venues for friends.”
When it comes to decorating her own space for the season of celebration, Bednar Long strives to stay true to her personal style, which she describes as “modern minimalism mixed with traditional sentimentality.” This delicate balance allows her to create a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere that is both timeless and on-trend.
Elevating the Ordinary with Unexpected Accents
One of the hallmarks of Bednar Long’s holiday decor approach is her use of unexpected design elements that add a touch of elegance and personality. For example, she has been collecting unique silver pieces her entire adult life, recognizing their versatility in elevating any space.
“I get creative with the vessels, filling them with various pops of color throughout the house,” she explains. “I’m particularly fond of vintage ice buckets – they are large enough to drop potted plants into, like boxwood topiaries, myrtle, and poinsettia, and carry them elegantly through the season.”
But Bednar Long’s design prowess extends beyond just the use of metallic accents. She is also a fan of incorporating natural elements such as pheasant feathers and Southern magnolia branches into her holiday decor.
“For me, the pheasant feathers are a sentimental element, and their rich brown tones and stripes add flair to every tablescape,” she says. “I also love the dimension of the magnolia leaves – the forest green lacquer top with the earthy chocolate browns underneath. Mother Nature is a designer herself.”
Bringing the Outdoors In with Fragrant Touches
Another key aspect of Bednar Long’s holiday decor strategy is her focus on fragrant elements that evoke the senses and create a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
“In my mother’s home, it wasn’t Christmas without the scent of Narcissus papyraceus, commonly known as paperwhites, wafting through each room,” she recalls. “A fragrant spring bulb in the dead of winter is pretty antithetical, which is why it’s effective in lifting the spirits.”
Bednar Long suggests pairing these delicate paperwhites with dense, fluffy boxwood or freshly cut evergreen branches to create a harmonious blend of natural fragrances that “bring the outside in.”
Incorporating Unexpected Pops of Color and Texture
While many traditional holiday decor schemes often rely on the classic red and green color palette, Bednar Long encourages homeowners to think outside the box when it comes to their color choices.
“I don’t go for the usual red and green coordination with endearing figurines, although I do believe it’s possible to do this very well,” she explains. “Rather, I opt for a palette of mixed metals and natural elements with personal touches that provoke conversation and stir memories.”
One of her favorite ways to add a touch of unexpected color and texture to her holiday decor is through the use of magenta pomegranates and sunny citrus fruits. These vibrant, visually appealing accents not only add a pop of color but also evoke a sense of opulence and decadence – a nod to a time when such fruits were once considered symbols of wealth.
Achieving Cohesion through Intentional Design
As an experienced interior designer, Bednar Long emphasizes the importance of cohesion in holiday decor, just as she would in any other design project.
“Oftentimes, boxing yourself in is the best way to inspire fresh ideas,” she advises. “If you’re decorating with stripes or plaid or mixed metals, how can you bring a little bit of that into every room? Commit to it.”
By maintaining a consistent color palette, texture, and design aesthetic throughout the home, Bednar Long creates a harmonious and inviting environment for celebrating the holiday season. This attention to detail not only elevates the overall look and feel of the space but also allows for a seamless transition between rooms, making the home feel like a unified, thoughtfully designed sanctuary.
Personalizing Your Holiday Decor with Meaningful Touches
Beyond the technical aspects of design, Bednar Long acknowledges the power of personal touches and family traditions in shaping the holiday decor experience.
“Family traditions and personal familiarities make a huge impact on the way people decorate to celebrate,” she says. “As the cold weather rolls in, I would love to hear some of your personal favorites for the holiday season.”
For Bednar Long, these personal elements manifest in the form of sentimental pheasant feathers, the nostalgic scent of paperwhites, and the lush, earthy tones of Southern magnolia branches – all of which evoke cherished memories and a deep connection to her roots.
By infusing your holiday decor with these types of meaningful details, you can create a truly personalized and elevated living space that reflects your unique style and personality.
Elevating Your Holiday Decor with Professional Guidance
As homeowners and design enthusiasts strive to create their dream holiday spaces, the expertise of professional interior designers can be an invaluable asset. Urban Grace Interiors Inc., a renowned design firm serving the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, offers a range of services to help homeowners elevate their holiday decor with personalized, luxurious touches.
Through their comprehensive design process, the team at Urban Grace Interiors works closely with clients to understand their unique style preferences, family traditions, and desired aesthetic. By leveraging their extensive industry knowledge and creative vision, they can help transform ordinary living spaces into extraordinary, magazine-worthy holiday retreats.
Whether you’re looking to incorporate unexpected design elements, create a cohesive color palette, or infuse your home with personal meaning, the professionals at Urban Grace Interiors are equipped to guide you through the process and ensure your holiday decor reflects your vision and elevated sense of style. Visit their website at https://urbangraceinteriorsinc.com/ to learn more about their services and how they can help you elevate your holiday decor.
