There are homes that are decorated for the holidays, and then there are homes that seem made for them. With antiques, ornate furnishings, rich hues and plenty of personality already setting the scene, designer Annie Brahler of Euro Trash simply turned up the volume for the season.
“We thought Christmas should be an exaggerated version of the homeowner’s signiature style,” Brahler proclaims. Having designed the home’s interiors, she was already familiar with the homeowners’ style and the pieces that give each room its personality. With its French and English inspired mix of ornate furnishings, gilded details and rich color, the home offered plenty of inspiration. Brahler leaned into its layered style, adding even more pattern, color and sparkle for the holidays.
Rather than carrying one look throughout the house, Brahler allowed each room to guide its own holiday decor. “Annie just gets our style,” says the homeowner. “She built on what we already loved and made every room feel special for the holidays.”
In the light-filled living room, soft blue upholstery, floral-covered chairs, gilded accents and touches of blush set the palette for a whimsical, vintage-inspired holiday look. A towering tree is filled nearly branch to branch with antique mercury glass ornaments in shades of pink, turquoise, gold and silver, while shimmering tinsel adds another layer of sparkle. Among the mix are vintage beaded and sequined ornaments sourced by Brahler, adding to the room’s nostalgic feel.
Across the mantel, vintage faux sugared fruit garland is accented with long blue-green ribbons. The homeowners’ artwork, antiques and favorite pieces remain part of the scene, with seasonal touches woven throughout.
In the dining room, turquoise walls create a bold backdrop for crystal chandeliers, pale pink dining chairs and an eclectic mix of furnishings. Greenery is draped high above the room, while white candles tied with turquoise ribbons carry the color to the table.
One of the home’s most unexpected details appears in the kitchen. Playing off the kitchen’s blue-and-white palette, Brahler and her team handcrafted a lush garland incorporating real oranges. The fresh citrus brings a burst of color to the greenery and quickly became one of the homeowners’ favorite touches.
“The oranges in the kitchen were such a surprise,” says the homeowner. “They were real, and Annie’s team created the whole thing by hand. It was unexpected and fun and totally right for the room.”
Nearby, a smaller white tree decorated almost entirely in blue-and-white ornaments carries one of the homeowners’ favorite color combinations into the season. Though different from the colorful tree in the living room, it feels perfectly at home in the space.
At the back of the house, the decor takes a more classic turn with traditional reds and greens. Deep green walls and ceiling surround a cozy sitting room filled with leather furniture, antique artwork and accessories. A dramatic wall stacked floor to ceiling with firewood adds warmth and character.
Simple greenery drapes across the white mantel, while red ribbons and a traditional wreath bring in familiar holiday color. The rich palette offers a contrast to the softer blues, pinks and turquoise found elsewhere in the home.
From vintage ornaments and colorful ribbons to fresh citrus and simple greenery, no two spaces are treated exactly alike. Yet each feels unmistakably connected to the character of the home.
For the homeowners, part of the fun came from giving Brahler the freedom to follow her ideas. “Annie is a genius, and she is so much fun and easy to work with,” says the homeowner. “I really just let Annie be Annie and work her magic. She comes up with things I never would have thought of, and everything turned out better than we ever could have imagined.”
The finished home reflects both the homeowners’ style and Brahler’s distinctive point of view. “The biggest complement I’ve been given about this project is that it looks exactly like Melissa,” Brahler says.
From whimsical and nostalgic to classic and traditional, each space offers a different take on the season. And throughout the house, a little more color, a little more sparkle and a little more personality make everything feel that much merrier.
