Here’s the festive forecast for your home this holiday season from local design experts.
Written by MARY CORNETTA
Storytelling Style
For Barry Mason, holiday decorating isn’t just about what’s trending; it’s about creating meaningful, memory-filled spaces. The proprietor of Proper English predicts that a mix of old and new will shine.
“While we don’t always follow specific trends, we do anticipate this holiday season to feature both traditional and contemporary elements for decor,” he says. Expect deep greens, golds, and blues in ribbons, oversized bows in every color, and lush greenery and tartan plaids alongside timeless touches of red. Texture, he notes, will play a big role this year, bringing depth and richness to classic holiday palettes.
Even as styles evolve, Mason believes nostalgia remains at the heart of holiday decorating. “Christmas, to me, is always a time for traditions,” he says. “Trends will come and go, but the nostalgia that most individuals feel toward the holidays and even experience regarding their own personal ornament collections often drive how people choose to decorate.” He believes that cherished ornaments and heirloom pieces tell a family’s story, something no new trend can replace. “It’s natural for most everyone to be a little more sentimental at Christmas and to have a desire for their personal decor to reflect those important moments that occur throughout life.”
When it comes to decorating, Mason suggests leaning into what brings you joy. “My advice always points back to doing what the homeowner loves and what will tell their particular story well,” he says. “Use those sentimental pieces and collections that mean the most and find a way to make them feel ‘new’ again.” He suggests that something as small as a delicate ribbon can transform a tree and tie an entire design together.
“Don’t be afraid to use the decor that you have and love,” Mason says. “But also know that it’s okay to switch things up from time to time — and in doing so, you may rediscover what you loved about your items in the first place.”
Sophisticated Sentimentality
Port Town Collective, founded by Joshua E. White, has offered full-service holiday decor since its inception in 2021. “Our work has always been about emotion — about creating spaces that feel layered, lived-in, and full of memory,” he says. “The holidays already carry that spirit.”
As for what’s trending this year, White predicts a shift toward heirloom-inspired decor that blends nostalgia with quiet sophistication. “We’re seeing a big return to velvet ribbons, mercury glass, layered greenery, and collected ornaments that tell a story,” he says. “The palette is softening, too — think warm whites, aged golds, and candlelight. Less spectacle, more soul. It’s that quiet luxury moment where nostalgia meets modern refinement.”
“The holidays are rooted in tradition,” says White. “Even when design trends shift, people are drawn back to what feels familiar and comforting.” For Port Town Collective, that means incorporating family ornaments, vintage decor, or inherited pieces.
There are plenty of ways you can incorporate White’s vision into your own home this season. He suggests starting with the object you already own and then layering fresh greenery, textiles, and updated lighting. “A cluster of taper candles or strands of warm twinkle lights can make any space feel enchanted,” he says. “And don’t feel pressure to fill every inch — good design breathes.
A few meaningful, well-placed moments will always outshine excess.”
Classic Meets Colorful
At John Davis Florist, the holiday season is nothing short of magical, albeit busy. “[It’s] one of our favorite times of the year,” says Connie Ross, who manages the shop. This year, Ross thinks botanicals and bright colors will take center stage for Christmas trees, adding a fresh, lively twist to classic looks. Still, she expects timeless favorites to remain strong. “Traditional colors and classic ornaments with lots of greenery and ribbons are always popular,” she says.
Beyond their signature floral designs, John Davis Florist offers an abundance of holiday plants, including poinsettias, evergreen trees, amaryllis, and paperwhites. “This year, the waxed amaryllis are a popular item we’ve been carrying,” Ross notes. She’s quick to point out the meaning behind one of the season’s most iconic plants: “Poinsettias say Christmas in the home. The star-like shape resembles the Star of Bethlehem, and the red and green colors represent the spirit of the season.”
Ross’s top holiday decorating tip is to keep it simple. “Use all your favorite items to decorate with, and add in fresh greenery and flowers, new bows, and a few new accessories to elevate your look and give your home a refreshed feel year after year.”
Blending Home and Holiday
Kelli Cordes, owner of Rincon-based KC Designs, sees holiday decorating as both an art and a joyful tradition. Rather than chasing trends, Cordes prefers to work with her clients’ personal styles and the architecture of their homes. Although she admits, “Bows were big — in both scale and popularity — last year, and I anticipate that to continue.” She also recommends using floral picks as tree toppers for a creative twist that adds texture and height. “Sometimes I combine the traditional star with floral picks for the best of both worlds,” she says.
For many of her clients here in Savannah, Cordes believes that their holiday decor should reflect the area’s coastal influence. This means adding pops of blues and greens to complement year-round interiors. “My preference is to match Christmas decor to my client’s home and color scheme,” she says. “I also love to create heavily themed trees for playrooms or children’s spaces.” Her past designs include whimsical creations such as The Grinch and a Candyland-themed trees.
Cordes believes that while trends evolve, traditional holiday decor will always have a place. “It carries a timeless elegance,” she says. “It’s heartwarming to unpack heirloom ornaments year after year.” In her own home, she embraces both styles: a designer tree that matches her decor and a second tree filled with her children’s handmade ornaments. “It’s colorful and a little chaotic — and there are a few ornaments where time has taken its toll,” she explains. “But that’s what the holidays are all about: tradition and family.”
Her best advice to be on trend this season? Think in layers and match your decor to your home’s aesthetic. “There are no fast rules when it comes to holiday decor, but I find the most cohesive designer look comes from trees and garland that match your home’s style and colors,” Cordes says. For anyone starting from scratch, she recommends planning for more ornaments than you think you’ll need to achieve a lush look. “I always buy extra and return what I don’t end up using,” she adds.
When it comes to assembling the perfect tree, Cordes has her system down to a science: “I keep about a one-third ratio of balls, picks or florals, and shaped ornaments, and then there’s ribbon.” She starts with large ornaments scaled to the tree, then works her way down to the smallest, adding finishing touches as she goes. The result is a tree that feels full, festive, and intentional.
A SCREAMING BLAST
Based in Savannah and New York City, Rebecca Gardner is an event designer and founder of Houses & Parties, an events, interior design, and retail collective. She’s thrown unforgettable soirees for clients such as Sofia Coppola, and her debut book, “A Screaming Blast,” came out from Rizzoli in fall 2025. We asked her for a few holiday decorating tips:
Gardner on garland: “I always use lush fir garland all over my house,” Gardner says.”I like to tie three garlands into one for a dramatic swoop. I use chartreuse satin ribbons (which are floppy) on top of a wider and wired ribbon to give the bows volume. My decorations are all green, which is a fresh backdrop for my collection of blown-glass ornaments.”
Adjust for the climate: Sure, it snowed in January 2025, but Savannah is often sunny in the winter. Accordingly, “Stay clear of heavy velvet fabrics and precious silks that will be destroyed by direct sunlight,” Gardner warns.
Don’t be intimidated: “I hope that my book will inspire a gathering this holiday season,” she says. “Make an effort to entertain, surprise, and delight. Go big and have fun.”
