Going into this holiday season is the first time I am like geeked to decorate... like actually planning & designing a "holidayscape" versus just picking a color scheme and seeing where it leads me... which is exactly what I would do in the past. I knew the vibes I was looking for & I knew what colors would gimme that. From there, I would just go on a shopping spree of sorts & then figure it all out once everything is unpacked and in front of me. This year - after a year of home improvement projects, deep personal trauma, and just general exhaustion, I decided to reclaim this season. Even as a content creator, I was like I will not be rushed to create or feel forced to perform. I wanted to take my time with this.

Who knew the end result would be not one... not two... but THREE holiday designs for the hygge ranch.

If you were around last year, then you know I partnered with The Home Depot to create a "High End Hygge" Holiday Experience for our first holiday as homeowners. We hadn't been in the home very long so it felt really good to be able to bring this design to life in the living & dining rooms.

Fast forward... I had a year to think about what I loved about last year's holiday design & what I'd do differently. I loved everything! I loved the dramatic contrast of the darker elements up against the cozier, hygge-inspired backdrop of our home. It was always a dream of mine to have a black Christmas tree and it did not disappoint.

So what would I have differently? I would've done more! 

Prior to last year, I'd always had a white Christmas tree... and I loved having a white Christmas tree. Getting a black one wasn't intended to be a replacement, so much as I wanted it to be a companion. Problem was (1) I didn't have anywhere to realistically display two trees and (2) our white tree had run its course and was in desperate need of an upgrade! Treetopia's new Mont Blanc tree was the PERFECT upgrade! For years, I'd lusted over Treetopia trees so getting a chance to review this new addition to their collection was a very swift YES! The 7' beauty was exactly what the hygge ranch needed & deserved to make our hygge holiday dreams come true.

Now that I had my black tree and my white tree, it became a question of how and where I wanted to display them. This presented me with the perfect opportunity to create separate designs that represented all the parts of me as a creative designer, as well as all the parts of us as a family. The black and the white each possessed their own unique vibes that would allow me to create separate holiday designs for each. And since we were upgrading, it was only right that I upgraded the mini's teeny tiny tinsel tree to her own 7-footer... except this one would be a pencil tree... because I'm not completely insane lol.

Where last year, I combined high end & hygge, this year I could separate the two design pillars & really lean into each more without having competing elements all over the place.

2021 Holiday Design Plan

A High End Hygge Holiday

Our 7' pre-lit black Christmas tree would be the media room Christmas tree for a tone on tone moody vibe. Unlike last year, where I tried to create a balance of cozy & luxe elements, I could increase the luxe factor with a predominately black & gold palette, enhancing the already sexy vibes of the media room...because yes, my media room is sexy AF! The elevated design, however, would not be at the expense of my overall design ethos - hygge inspired. Having recently upgraded our cozy corner with the Vera Cuddler Swivel Chair from Apt2B, the space is not devoid of warm & fuzzy feelings... it's just a different type of coziness.

A Very Hygge Holiday

Our 7' pre lit white Christmas tree would be the living room Christmas tree for an softer, neutral holiday aesthetic. If you've been following along with my content on IG recently, then you already know I have been holding on to fall with both hands clamped tight. Nevermind the fact that fall isn't over, it's just a vibe that I am loving right now - heavy on the warm & fuzzy! Inspired by the warm tones of my fall decor - terracotta & burgundy - I could create a palette that seamlessly transitions from one season into the next, while also honoring some of the key tenets of hygge inspired design.

Where the black tree in the media room would feature more glam like ornaments, this tree would be where I would curate novelty ornaments that I've accumulated over the years... ornaments that represent that different facets of our family & our unique personalities. They could have their own moment without competing with more ornate ornaments.

A Whimsical Hygge Holiday

Our 7' pre-lit pink pencil tree would also be in the living room, opposite the white tree, for a fun yet complimentary surprise in the space. You know how many people were surprised to see that I chose a sofa with color versus what is accepted as a "neutral" hue? A LOT. Truth is... I love creating this surprise moments in our home... and doing so in a way that doesn't feel jarring. Instead, I am telling a story with color.

For the 3 years that the mini has had her own tree, it's always lived in her bedroom - I mean it was a 4' tinsel tree so... With an upgrade, I had two things in mind... (1) not overcrowding her bedroom because it's still a place of rest & relaxation, and (2) another opportunity to celebrate who we are via ornaments. Inspired by my friend Joanna (@jojotastic) and her SIX Christmas trees - yes... SIX! - I was like "wait a minute... each tree can tell a story!" Since this is technically my daughter's tree, it'll still feature all of her fun & festive ornaments, like her collection of Disney princesses. Because it'll already be an eclectic assortment of ornaments, it's also the perfect tree for a more casual & whimsical adornment... a hodgepodge of ornaments that includes the sorting hat from Harry Potter, the Empire State Building (similar), Black ballerinas, and a bucket of fried chicken.

In addition to taking on three trees - seriously, pray for me yall! - there's also styling that'll take place on the mantle, console & dining tables, sideboard, and walls to make sure the spaces & their stories are all cohesively represented. This can look like hanging bows on the interior doors, putting a garland on the mantle, and/or "gift wrapping" photos in our gallery walls,.

Had I rushed into decorated for Christmas, I likely wouldn't have found the inspiration or motivation to want to execute this design. I allowed myself the space to ease into the season & now I am excited to jump right into it.

And to be honest... because all three of our trees are pre-lit, I could totes scale back on the decorating and still have three poppin trees for the season. Just another reason investing in pre lit trees is totes worth it for me & mine.

I can't want to share everything with you when the spaces are complete. In the meantime, be sure to follow along with the progress over on my IG and with my Vlogmas updates on YouTube.