Put a tree (or trees) up wherever and whenever you want 

A self-proclaimed “crazy Christmas lady,” Stacey started her holiday decorating by putting a tree up in her foyer in mid-October. As Stacey puts it, if it brings you joy – do it! 

From the moment she picked her floor plan, she dreamed about putting a Christmas tree in the entryway. She even added an extra outlet here to ensure she could have a tree exactly where she envisioned it. 

Soaring ceilings in the entryway make this the perfect space for a nine-foot tree. Paired with garland twisted up the length of her banister, it creates a cozy, Christmassy welcome into her home. 

Have a holly jolly hearth room, family room and outdoor living area!

Oh by golly have a holly jolly hearth room this year! Not to be confused with the family room, the hearth room is a sitting room located off of the kitchen. For Stacey, this is her favorite place in her home. With a gorgeous, white painted brick fireplace, this room was begging to be decorated for the holidays. 

But even Stacey, who is truly the queen of decorating, admits that decking the halls in every room can feel a bit overwhelming. That’s where Stacey’s naughty and nice list comes in.

Decorating tip #1: Make a list and check it twice 

“As you start to decorate, you’ll see where the gaps are and know what you need to shop for or make,” Stacey said. “Write it down and even take measurements of empty spots so you know what to focus on to fill them!”

In her hearth room, Stacey added two flocked trees on either side of the fireplace, which she chose to leave bare to let the mantle and fireplace really shine. The garland on the mantle is reminiscent of the décor in the entryway; Stacey used lush greenery and red berries in this room as well, a theme she carries throughout her home. 

Decorating tip #2: Mix and match, but keep it cohesive 

“When shopping, remember it’s OK to use different color schemes in different spaces of your home,” Stacey said. “Try and be cohesive within each room, but don’t be afraid to switch it up in the next room over!” 

Stacey did similar mantel looks in both her family room and outdoor living area, although both of those mantles have TVs. If your mantel has a TV, Stacey recommends incorporating some height on either side of the TV to draw the eye to the décor. 

Create a Christmas coffee bar fit for a Hallmark movie 

Stacey truly spared no detail when decking out her home for her family’s first Christmas. Her festive décor even extends into the working pantry (think butler’s pantry but often more spacious, allowing homeowners to store appliances to keep their kitchen countertops clutter free). 

One appliance Stacey chooses to leave out here is her coffee maker. And why wouldn’t you when you can transform this space into a merry and bright at-home coffee shop!

To achieve this look, Stacey created festive eye candy and used it for functional purposes. To store her mugs, she decked out a two-tier tray with greenery, berries and holiday signs. It’s a space she truly enjoys waking up to in the morning! 

Decorating tip #3: Find joy in the process 

“If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by it all, take a break or ask someone for help,” Stacey said. “Sometimes you just need to walk away and come back another day with a fresh set of eyes!” 

Huge thanks to Stacey and the Collins family for letting us inside their home this holiday season! We wish them the merriest first Christmas in their home!

Love Stacey’s home and décor? You can see all of the thoughtfully designed spaces in her home here.

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From Instagram inspiration and Pinterest pins to your final floor plan, Drees makes it easy to bring it all together. We know your home is more than a dwelling. It’s an expression of who you are and what you value. Designing a custom home is a very personal endeavor, and we want to be here to help you every step of the way.

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