Vani Sayeed: Inspired Holiday Decorating

Cozy family time, sparkly lights, and stories shared around a warm, inviting fire are the embodiment of the holidays. There are many reasons to love all four seasons, but the holiday time is my personal favorite! Decorating for the holidays can be overwhelming but these ideas below are easy for anyone to put into motion, and are sure to leave your family and friends speechless.

Setting a theme for your holiday decor ensures a consistency that runs throughout the house. For this space we were inspired to create a cosmopolitan display that complimented the unique architectural elements of the house. Do not feel bound to traditional holiday colors – instead, opt for neutral tones or plan to decorate your home in colors that work with your current décor.

Photography by Jared Kuzia Photography

This wood paneled room is a distinct space in an otherwise modern house. I added rose gold, bronze, decayed silver and mercury glass to contrast and stand out against the dark wood. Wrapped presents and ribbons in colors that coordinate the table dressing look beautiful against the warm wood backdrop. A nice mix of holiday greens brings the outside in, uplifting a heavy space in a refreshing way. 

Fireplaces are a wonderful focal point in any room and an easy way to spice up a room is by decorating them. Drape a garland around the mantle but mix and match 2 types of garlands and magnolia leaves for texture and color variation. Combine ornaments in various shapes, sizes and finishes for a fun and sparkly mantel.

To punch up the drama add bold color. For this table setting we used a variety of blue glassware combined with bunches of fresh flowers in a contrasting color it created a magnificent visual impact. Fruit is an inexpensive and great addition to any table setting. The natural color of pears, apples, and berries are often overlooked, but are a fantastic accouterment to any place setting.

Compose special vignettes by first clearing out the every day accessories, then adding shiny and fun pieces. The entire display does not have to be holiday themed, as long as it is fresh and translates into the holiday season.

The fundamental rule to remember while decorating your home for the holidays is to have FUN! We certainly did—and ventured away from the norm with a white Christmas tree all decked out in sparkles and fluffy feathery ornaments!

Vani Sayeed is a Boston area interior designer based in Newton, Massachusetts. In addition to helping clients create beautiful environments, Vani is an accomplished artist. You can view her work here on her website.