The designer spoke with Better Homes & Gardens about how she decorates her habitation for Christmas , eases the stress of the time of year , and prioritizes family time .
Lucy Call
It ’s impossible get everything that comes with the holidays down to a science — hosting , gifting , decorating , menu planning , etc.—but if anyone could call themselves a professional at this detail , it ’s Shea McGee .
Credit:Lucy Call
McGee — as the design pro behindStudio McGee , whiz ofDream Home Makeoveron Netflix , andauthor , among other thing — prefers to interpret her signature minimalist - yet - alert aesthetic into Christmas decor for alayered , personal lookthat comes together without pull out off a full transmutation . And while she relish cultivating a festive atmosphere , her main focus during the holidays centers around family and favorite traditions ( tostada on Christmas Eve , read holiday news report to her kids at bedtime , baking biscuit ) .
From theholiday adorn trendsshe loves to her Christmas day turn , this is how Shea McGee takes on the season — with gain memories at the cutting edge .
Holiday Traditions, Decor Ideas, and Hosting Tips from Shea McGee
How do you fit holiday decorations into your style, making sure they don’t clash with the beautiful spaces in your home?
I expect for festive accent that complement the existing interior decoration in the household . Doormats , wreaths , greenery , and perfume like cedar , berry , and pine all elevate the holiday feeling within the home without overwhelm the existing decor . I am pull to raw look greenery that feels Greco-Roman year after twelvemonth but select a new color pallet for ribbons and bauble ornament , which makes it sense more aligned with the look of the home .
The best part about simulated wreath is there ’s no great deal ( a liberal winnings ! ) and you’re able to use the pieces year after year .
What are your favorite holiday decorating trends this year?
I ’m loving the versatility ofgarland ! It ’s thoroughgoing for door , mantels , and even chandelier — it lend texture and a spark of colour to anywhere it ’s commit . I ’ve loved usingmini wreathson the backs of president and on upcountry windows . The best part about faux garland is there ’s no mess ( a expectant profits ! ) and you could use the piece class after yr . I ’m all forditching the pressure of voguish themesand embracing what sparks joyousness for you , whether it ’s vintage ornamentation or homemade crafts .
Do you tend to stick to a theme with your decorations, and if so, what’s this year’s?
I ’m not one for overt themes , but I do love acolor palettebrought to life through ribbon and bows . This twelvemonth ’s pallet was deep burgundy and shades of Brown University and camel . This allows me to reprocess collected man year after year but change the feeling through swop out the ribbons .
Are there any holiday decorations you would never try in your home?
I ’m all for using interior decoration that feels timeless , elevated , and personal . Anything that feels too trendy does n’t really stand the exam of fourth dimension , and so I incline to stay out from that variety of look . I prefer to keep matter simple and elegant in all things contrive , peculiarly with holiday decor .
Do you change up your holiday decor every year, or do you do the same thing every year?
I contribute novel pieces here and there , but my magnetic core collection stay the same . I love building on my existing laurel wreath , make a layered look that tells a story over clock time .
What are your go-to hosting tricks for making entertaining as easy as possible?
Delegation is fundamental ! I sleep together to advance our Edgar Guest to bring a dish or help with tasks when they get at the house ( you never can have too many dish washers ! ) . I also like to keep thing childlike by focusing on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere which gain our family and friend feel relaxed and at ease .
Going off that, what kind of atmosphere do you go for when hosting a holiday gathering?
strong , inviting , and relaxed . I want my Guest tofeel comfortable and at home , like they ’re a part of the sept . I eff utilise candles , firing , medicine , and cozy textures to create the variety of space that people experience like they can relax in for 60 minutes on end .
How do you set the mood for a holiday get together?
I love to focus on the sensory experience — using seasonal scent , candles , and a perfectly curated playlist .
Any tips for getting through the stress of the season?
Although sometimes it feel like the strain of the time of year is inevitable , there ’s ways to scale down that accent . Number one key is to prioritise : Do n’t endeavor to do it all yourself , and remember that no matter what , it ’s going to be a wizard season . I love to delegate labor , require for help , and never be afraid to say no . You do n’t have to do it all , and in the destruction — all that matter is deal time together .
What is your favorite family tradition during the holidays?
I do it all the family time we get during the holiday season — both with my family and [ my married man ] Syd ’s . We have so many traditions that we celebrate each year , one non - traditional one being tostada night every Christmas Eve at my parent ’ home .
Have you started any “new” holiday traditions in the last few years? Have they changed since expanding your family?
One of my favorite traditions ( besides baking cookies non - give up throughout December ) is interpret a Christmas account book or two every night with our kids . We have a big hoop filled with options and tot a few more every year — this makes bedtime a small more playfulness !
Can you walk us through your Christmas Day routine? Do you open presents before breakfast, or do you eat first? Do you do Christmas lunch or dinner?
We ’re too frantic to think about anything else Christmas morning and go straight to present ! I always have the girls wait at the top of the step so I can lose it a pic of them running down in their jammies . I care to makecinnamon rollsthe night before and have those ready after we open presents . We then spend the day enjoy our surprises and FaceTiming with family in other state . We unremarkably end the Clarence Day with dinner party together — every twelvemonth is a little unlike , sometimes it ’s a traditional ham actor and others it ’s BBQ .
We ’re too excited to suppose about anything else Christmas morning and go direct to presents !
Are there any recipes you make every year for the holidays?
This house make out cookies . It feel like we ’re trying out a new cookie formula every week , which Syd definitely loves . I raise up with my mommy makingcrinkle cookies , so we make those with the girls every yr .
Do you have a favorite holiday memory?
I have so many happy memory around the holidays , but my favorite is when we surprised [ our children ] Wren and Ivy with the news show that they would presently be big sisters !
Credit:Lucy Call
Credit:Lucy Call
Credit:Lucy Call
Credit:Lucy Call
