A Touch of Red: Elevating My Living Room for the Holidays

This year, the holidays showed up a little differently in our home.

Later than planned. Quieter than usual. With less fanfare and far more intention.

Like so many of you, I fully intended to have decorations up right after Thanksgiving. That is always the plan. But this season had other ideas. Time was tight, energy was limited, and there simply was not room for planned perfection. So instead of forcing a full holiday transformation, I asked myself a simpler question:

How can I work with what I already have and still make it feel special?

That question led me straight to one decision that changed everything. Bringing in the color red.

The Art That Set the Tone

The starting point for my living room was a piece of art gifted to me by my friend Frances Berry Moreno. The moment I hung it, something clicked.

The red in the piece wasn’t loud or traditional. It was rich. Intentional. Emotional. And it immediately made me think of what designers often call red theory: the idea that even the smallest hint of red can activate a space, warming it up and grounding it emotionally.

For nearly a decade, Christmas in our home has lived comfortably in black, white, gold, silver, and soft neutrals. Calm. Clean. Controlled. But this year, I didn’t need calm. I needed feeling.

That artwork gave me permission to shift the story without starting over.

Red Theory, Real Life

Instead of adding more decor, I let red do the work.

I was very intentional about where it showed up and just as intentional about where it did not. The goal was never to overwhelm the room. I wanted small moments that made a big impact.

I only purchased a few thoughtful additions:

• Stockings made from a vintage rug that instantly added texture and warmth

• Red ribbon to create simple bows on the tree instead of traditional ornaments

• Tapered candles that matched the red tones in the artwork

• A custom cedar garland made by floral artist Kristin, which brought the entire room to life (because that’s what plants do) with something for the senses: a fresh scent, visual texture, and added softness for that cozy feel.

Everything else came from within my home.

Shopping My Own House

One of my favorite things to do, especially during busy seasons, is shop my own house. It forces me to slow down and really see what I already have.

In the living room, that looked like pulling a vintage rug from the guest room closet and layering it under my Eames lounger and ottoman. It instantly made that corner feel warmer and more grounded.

On the coffee table, I used a marble vessel created by my friend Alvin Wayne and repurposed it to hold a softly scented candle. Nothing new. Just intentional placement.

Those small changes shifted the entire room and I think that’s what I love most!

This Is What “Elevating the Everyday” Looks Like

This living room is not about excess or perfection. It is about intention and thoughtfulness. One color guiding the mood. Familiar pieces coming together in a new way.

It is a reminder that you do not need a full redesign to mark a moment. You do not need to buy everything new for something to feel special. And you don’t need perfection for your home to feel joyful.

This holiday season, my living room became a reflection of where I am right now. Busy. Grateful. Choosing beauty without making life harder than it needs to be.

If your decorations went up later than usual, if you worked with what you already had, or if you made one small change that shifted everything, this is your pat on the back and round of applause. Because when joy is the goal, there are no rules or deadlines. 

Happy Holidays friends!