As an architect and interior designer, Natalie Rebuck, principal designer at Re: Design Architects, adds a maximalist touch to Christmas decorating. She blends thoughtful collections with personal touches to create a festive and harmonious environment. Here’s how she transforms her home for the holidays:
Collections Bring Joy
Rebuck says she loves decorating with multiples of similar items, as it creates a striking, cohesive look. “Over the years, I’ve curated an assortment of decorative trees made of ceramic, glass, pipe cleaner, wood, metal, and more, displayed on my dining room sideboard.” She notes that this evolving forest of festive greenery feels magical.
“My passion for collecting extends to nutcrackers, with one added to my collection each year to reflect the season’s theme.” Rebuck also places them together on dressers or shelves, creating a whimsical display. She says they’ve become a playful and nostalgic element for her children. “Recently, I’ve begun collecting vintage blow mold outdoor decorations, scoring a snowman and candlesticks, though I’m still on the hunt for a Santa Claus.”
Seasonal Natural Accents
Rebuck also swaps out her flowers and garlands with poinsettias, pine cones, and fresh pine branches. She says this brings nature indoors and is one of her favorite ways to refresh the space for Christmas. “Poinsettias add vibrant red touches at the fireplace, staircase, and front door.” Her kids help collect pine cones and pine branches for centerpieces, making it a family activity. “To me, every decorative vase deserves to be filled—whether with fresh greenery or something festive like bells or ornaments.”
Ornaments As Décor
She fills clear vases or cute Christmas bowls filled with colorful Christmas ornaments and bells as a simple but impactful decorating trick. “These vases can be placed throughout the house, adding sparkle and charm to every room, and it’s an easy way to incorporate your ornament collection beyond the tree.” And by adding matching stockings and stocking holders atop a fireplace mantle, Rebuck says this provides a cohesive, polished look.
A Tale Of Two Trees
Rebuck has two Christmas trees—each with its own distinct personality. “My first Christmas tree is for my kids, and I get it from a farm.” She says she loves the smell of a real tree and it’s overflowing with ornaments collected over the years. “That tree is the family tree that has all of the ornaments we have collected, and it’s a very eclectic tree.”
Rebuck usually collects an ornament from all of her travels. She also buys an ornament for each child that symbolizes something they loved that year. “The tree even has my own baby rattle ornament from when I was a child.” This tree tells the family’s story and brings back memories every time Rebuck looks at it.
However, the design lover in her has a monochromatic Christmas tree. “In the basement I have a tinsel tree, which I’ve adorned with red ribbons and red flocked ornaments.” She explains that this is her chance to create a curated, sophisticated look, and since it’s her tree, the kids don’t get to touch it.
Vintage Finds And Treasures
Rebuck is always on the hunt for Christmas items, and she especially looks for them at estate and tag sales. Many of her favorite decorations, like mid-century mercury glass ornaments, were discovered during summer shopping. “My favorite piece is from the 1950’s, of Santa and Mrs. Claus kissing on a green bench – I love it because my parents had the same thing.” Rebuck says Christmas is about remembering old memories and making new memories. “I love mixing these older pieces with newer finds to create a layered and timeless look.”
Deck The Stairs
If you have a staircase, Rebuck says garlands are a must. “Wrapping garland up the banister adds a dramatic and festive touch.” And, she says garland holders are a lifesaver, keeping everything securely in place while providing a polished look.
Table Festivities
For Christmas dinner, Rebuck likes to create a festive tablescape. “Recently, I found a charming set of plates featuring Santa, which pairs beautifully with a larger China set I brought back from Italy that has red flowers.” She pair with vintage red goblets and red napkins. “I add a white rose and a velvet red bow in the middle of the plate for each person coming to the table to dine.”
As guests come and go, she’s found a playful way to be hospitable: creating a hot chocolate station. “I love creating it for my kids, and guests also love this added touch.” The chocolate station includes festive mugs, marshmallows, red spoons, and all of the fixings for a beautiful warm mug of hot chocolate.
Make Your Space Cozy
Rebuck also swaps out seasonal pillows and adds Christmas pillows and cozy blankets. “And I put gold, red, and green candlesticks to work to complete the transformation.”
To her, Christmas is about blending tradition, family, and her love for design. “By mixing meaningful collections with curated finds, my home becomes a joyful retreat that captures the spirit of the season.”
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