The holiday season brings a unique opportunity to transform our homes into spaces that reflect the joy and warmth of hosting and celebration. I asked Megan Morton, interior stylist, to share her clever ideas on creating festive yet comfortable environments. Her approach, weaving simplicity with thoughtful personalisation, provides a refreshing and practical perspective on holiday home styling.
Thanks to Roberto Nickson @rpnickson for making this photo available on Unsplash 🎁
Five minutes with Megan Morton
In general, this time of year for me is a time to do less and more at the same time. More gatherings, more excuses to be with the people you love, more lie-ins, more picnics. That said, I do think the only way to achieve this is to drop the ball on the usual possible-stress related get ready game. I find a really overdone tree always looks a little bit sad in a house that is not at the same spirit. In saying that I love the idea of a clean contemporary space, especially guest areas, with clean contemporary decorations because I think that’s the best match for the atmosphere.
Around my house this year, I’m doing very simple citrus, including branches and lots of leaf in vases as well as very long tassels that I got from India – usually reserved for Indian trucks and transport! They are silver, long three metre tinsel drops and are so festive, but can be dropped over bedroom doorways, over coat hooks and just add a joyous atmosphere. Simple done well and consistently is the name of the game.
Festive Dining Spaces
Just like my approach to the house in general this year, I am not a fan of over stuffing the dining table with plates, platters and fully loaded trays.
I set up a separate table, like the Luxo Living Earnest Dining Table, with a gorgeous flat sheet over it so it’s draped and romantic and I will keep all of the food there. This doesn’t mean it has to be self-service, but it just means there is a really lovely airy feeling to the table and it doesn’t look like people are fighting for food when it’s serving time.
Personalising Guest Experiences
I really love it when people remember things I’ve told them like a flavour I really enjoyed or a drink that is my favourite so I like to do that for others. I think it’s very gracious, and also shows that you listen which is really the sign of a good hostess, as well as a good human.
Sustainable Holiday Styling
Forage from your garden for festive foliage or guest bedroom posies. Always use your own china, glassware and cutlery (no paper plates / plastic cups!) even if they don’t match, it will create a delightful mish-mash on the table. Trawl Pinterest for interesting and sustainable ways to serve – for instance, this year I am doing a holiday cocktail in that will be served out of a watermelon – with its own tap!
Revitalising with Key Pieces
I really do think that most people’s chairs look dated and tired post pandemic. Even the way we use our chairs and dining spaces are so different now. The first thing I would do is recover or create drop covers for my chairs, alternately – give them away, sell them, or do anything you can to invest in new ones. Because the dining chair is no longer just a dining chair, it’s a work from home back up chair, It’s your tax return chair, It’s the where you sit with your favourite people chair. I’m all for one small décor change out but in significant numbers and for me 4 to 8 chairs around a table is the perfect gameplay and completely transforms a room, like the Luxo Living Avelino Wooden Frame Boucle Dining Chairs. It’s minimum effort, one singular choice x 4-6 units to combat decision fatigue but it gives you a whole new look and feel.
