Room decor by Bella Fiore in Rancho Santa Fe

Banner image above: Room decor by Bella Fiore in Rancho Santa Fe, Santa ornament by David Strand Designs from Seaside Home

Home For The Holidays
During the holidays, a thoughtfully decorated home is an important backdrop to family traditions and celebrations. Putting special effort into every detail shows a lot of love — like spending time preparing an elaborate holiday meal. It’s also a self-motivated outlet for creative expression. Whether you display collectible china by Waterford or a handcrafted artisan menorah, each element breathes a bit of your family’s personality into holiday entertaining.

"If you look back 20 years ago, decorating was about the tree and the living room," says Dan Butler, vice president of merchandising for the National Retail Federation. "Today, it’s about decorating throughout the home." He should know, as a former manager for Macy’s who would spend nearly six weeks decorating his store for the holidays. He says homeowners today are decorating every nook and cranny — from entryways and dining rooms to bedrooms and baths.

Stores in San Diego began decorating for Christmas in mid-October this year. And while each owner and designer has his or her own take on what’s hot, there are a few consistencies that make being in vogue a little easier.

"When I worked for Neiman Marcus, the buyers would always talk about a color theme for the holidays," says Kevin Andrew of Merino Home in Carlsbad. "This year that theme would be spice." The spice palette is influenced by the Far East, with hues of amber, gold, cayenne, nutmeg, lavender, and persimmon. At Merino Home that theme translates to decorative glassware by Aviva Stanoff, a Brooklyn, New York-based designer who is known for her sophistication. Large vases and smaller votives hold candles or flowers and transition easily from fall into the winter holidays.

Perfectly At Home in Carlsbad is known for its original holiday accents and has decorations ranging from elegant to fun. The owners have their own take on the spice theme this year, with embellished satin pillows and court jesters decked out in orange, gold, and purple. For those who prefer more traditional red and green for the holidays, there is a bevy of items to choose from, including decorative throws, candleholders and snuffers, and table runners. The store also has a reputation for offering some of the most unique stockings in San Diego.

Corey Sanchez of Bella Castilla in Del Mar has put an emphasis on table settings fit for a king for this season. "Pewter and porcelain work well together and look elegant on the table," he says. This year, he set hefty pewter and porcelain place settings on top of leather placemats and combined them with Jan Barboglio ironwork napkin rings and chargers. The home decor boutique also offers a collection of elaborate ornaments perfect for the standout tree in the front window. If you’re looking for the perfect gift, Sanchez recommends an adorned leather-wrapped Bible. "These are so beautiful they should be passed down between generations," he says. "They are great for weddings and the holidays — really meaningful."

The simplest way to evoke the spirit of the holidays is to decorate with elements of nature. For Thanksgiving, that’s a combination of pumpkins and gourds, pomegranates, and kumquats, according to Leanne Michael, owner of Bella Fiore in Rancho Santa Fe. No matter what holiday you are celebrating, a memorable centerpiece will set the tone for every event. "For Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is so much you can do with fresh colors and combinations," she says. "The fall harvest-look — with pumpkins and pomegranates — transitions well into the Christmas season."

Wreaths, topiaries, and garland are all elegant ways to decorate, and classic patterns and color combinations are being recreated for a fresh approach. "Because we’re returning to our roots and hosting intimate celebrations at home, we’ll see more traditional colors, and greenery, whose scents will bring us back to our childhood," says Rebecca Cole, host of Surprise by Design on the Discovery Channel. Great holiday arrangements begin with greenery. In ancient cultures, people believed that bringing foliage into the home during the season guaranteed the return of vegetation in the spring.

In addition to greenery and spicy shades, this year’s holiday decor is also showcasing icy hues of white and silver combined with blue and turquoise. Home decor is taking cues from fashion by using gray as a base for typical holiday hues, such as red and green. Burgundy and silver, ivory and gold, and silver and black are also elegant combinations. Above all, texture and embellishments carry a lot of weight — most stores are showcasing decor pieces with feathers, glass, beads, and fabric for a fantasy effect. High-end materials such as lace, velvet, and crystals also provide a feeling of luxury.

Many boutiques are carrying upscale Christmas ornaments this year — starting at $65 and moving up. These pieces are heirloom quality and work well on the tree or displayed on the table as part of a centerpiece. Seaside Home is featuring ornaments by David Strand Designs. These European pieces are mouth-blown and lined with silver for added radiance. They are also hand-painted by skilled artisans and further embellished with glitter and Austrian crystals. On the other end, whimsical ornaments are gaining in popularity, particularly for children. Elephants, horses, and dragonflies are sure to add a bit of humor to your tree.

But don’t just focus on those public rooms for your decor. For the bath, designers recommend keeping the decor sophisticated by avoiding child-like Santa-themed bathmats and shower curtains. Instead, opt for seasonal flowers or a few sprigs of pine for an understated effect. Vintage Christmas carol sheet music looks great framed on the wall, and fill crystal bowls with potpourri and ornaments.

If New Year’s is the party you’re most looking forward to, consider investing in some radiant new glassware. Toast midnight in style with Juliska’s Amalia drinkware collection from Seaside Home. Spiral threading and berry details enhance the bubbly effect of these Champagne flutes and saucers.

No matter what you do, deck the halls in style. Fresh decor pays homage to this special time of year.
— Tanja Kern

Children’s room decor by Bella Fiore in Rancho Santa Fe

Juliska’s Amalia drinkware collection from Seaside Home