West Elm: Your One-Stop Décor Shop

Each year, I look forward to watching retailers roll out their holiday decorations. This year, some of my favorites come from West Elm—which is great because I don’t have to drive all around town picking up decorations!

Wood Chip Trees: Yes, they’re actually made from wood shavings! I love the warm, gold-ish tone and the fabulous texture. They feel festive without being over-the-top.

Manzanita Candelabra: If you’re tired of the same old centerpiece, try this delicate candelabra on your tabletop, atop a simple runner or surrounded by a bit of fresh greenery. 

Iridescent Glass Hurricanes: I would pair these hurricanes with a few mercury glass candleholders or vases for a sparkly display. The light they give off is glowy and warm—perfect for the holidays.

Caribou Bottle Brush Ornament: What’s not to love about this guy? Plus, he’s kid-friendly, so you can hang him within reach of your three-year-old and not cringe every time she goes near the tree.

Felt Garland: This is just plain cool—and a touch retro. It reminds me of holidays at Granny’s.

What about you? Have you found decorations you just love this year? Please share!

Tips for Your Holiday Table

Last weekend, I participated in L’Esprit de Noel, the annual holiday home tour that raises funds for the Central City Opera. I did a little decorating at one of the homes with pretty things from The Lark, one of my favorite Denver shops.

Our palette was golds and reds, pulled from the room. I wanted to keep it simple because I didn’t want the table to compete with the room’s gorgeous crystal chandelier. I love a table that pairs sparkly elements with natural ones, so on top of the gold runner, I put pine-and-magnolia centerpieces. (Magnolia leaves seem to be everywhere right now!)

I used the runner and placements instead of a tablecloth because that way, you get to see the gorgeous wood of the table, a perfect pairing with the gold placemats. And instead of tucking the napkins through rings, I folded them and topped them with pretty little berry accessories. (You can also see them around the candles of the chandelier.)

My final touch for the table was red glasses. What do you think? I like crystal, but colored glass feels especially festive this time of year. If you’ve set the same table for years, colored glass might be the best way to change it up this year.

What about you? Will you start decorating for the holidays this weekend? My best advice: Play a little! Try new combinations of your décor items, so you’re not just replicating what you’ve done for years. You might surprise yourself!