If you are easing into the holiday season, here is a relaxed version of the decorating rhythm shared by Emily Henderson.
Her professional life naturally leads her to start early, but her schedule is simple, enjoyable, and intentionally low pressure.
October is her month for gathering inspiration and choosing new décor while the best pieces are still available.
Once November arrives and Oregon turns dark and rainy, she begins adding twinkle lights and greenery inside the house.
She uses faux greenery indoors and brings in real branches for outside later in the month. Since her family travels for Thanksgiving, she does not host, which allows her to decorate slowly and savor the early season.
The Saturday after Thanksgiving is her favorite night of the entire year. Her family gathers for their ornament-hanging evening, officially launching the start of the holiday season. From that night forward, her home becomes fully festive. Henderson encourages everyone to follow whatever schedule brings them joy. Spreading decorating across two months gives her family more time to enjoy warm lights, cozy mornings, and a little extra magic during darker days.
For this year’s holiday shoot, Henderson and her team transformed The Carly, a stunning retreat property outside Portland, into a festive backdrop using décor from AllModern.
The space deserved a proper holiday makeover, and AllModern’s collection provided fresh, modern pieces that balanced tradition with playfulness.
Whether you are already decorating or simply browsing ideas, these styled rooms offer plenty of inspiration.
One of the standout categories was greenery. Henderson noted how surprisingly full and lush AllModern’s wreaths and garlands were.
The knit check stockings quickly became a favorite, available in ochre and cream along with green and cream and red and cream for more traditional palettes.
These stockings pair beautifully with jewel-toned décor and add a warm, slightly modern twist to a classic mantel display.
AllModern’s velvet pillows also played a major role. Their rich jewel tones and soft textures blend well with holiday décor but transition seamlessly into everyday use.
The team used an oversized four-foot wreath to make a major statement, especially in larger windows.
Henderson likes to dress faux wreaths up with ribbon, bells, or ornaments, explaining that the larger the wreath, the larger the bow should be.
For the tree, the team chose a Nordic-style faux tree pre-lit with warm white lights. Henderson appreciates that faux trees can hold more weight, which is helpful for heavy glass ornaments and cherished family pieces.
This year’s ornaments included reflective glass balls in shades of rose gold, green, gray, and blue, along with blush and ivory “café latte” ornaments that add a soft glow.
The pre-lit nine-foot garlands were another highlight. Thick, warm, and easy to connect end to end, they create a beautiful draped frame over large windows.
Henderson added them to her personal list for her own living room because of their impressive scale and simplicity.
Throughout the shoot, the team used AllModern’s accordion paper trees, which quickly became one of Henderson’s favorite décor items of the season.
They fold flat for storage, come in coordinated sets, require no styling, and look stunning on shelves, mantels, coffee tables, and dining tables.
She paired them with a dark red dinnerware set that feels festive without overwhelming the table. Simple oak candlestick holders rounded out the dining area with year-round appeal.
The dining room also featured two chair styles. The green swivel end chairs offered warmth and personality and were an instant hit with the kids.
The cream and black armchairs brought structure and comfort. A pre-lit three-foot wreath decorated with handmade velvet bows completed the room.
Throughout The Carly, Henderson created holiday vignettes that worked for different room sizes.
A slim pre-lit tree added seasonal charm to a smaller sitting space. Felt garlands added soft texture to shelves and looked equally beautiful wrapped around a tree. Velvet pillows, knit stockings, and small groupings of paper trees brought quiet festive touches to every corner.
A particularly charming spot was a built-in reading nook. The team framed it with a large garland and layered pillows in holiday colors and cozy textures.
A teal lacquer side table and chrome serving bowl added a modern contrast.
Henderson shared that the shoot itself was as joyful as the décor. Her team listened to holiday music, styled room after room, and even stayed overnight in the beautiful suites.
In the evening they wrapped presents, made martinis, and watched a true-crime show together. It blended work with early holiday fun in the best way.
She thanks AllModern for partnering on the project and hopes these ideas inspire your own decorating season. Her final advice is simple: decorate however and whenever feels right, and enjoy every moment of sparkle.
Adapted from original content by Emily Henderson
Photo Courtesy: Emily Henderson & Kaitlin Green
Follow the latest news on Google News
