Seasonal Updates: Coastal Holidays
Here in Sarasota, Florida, we experience Christmas a bit differently than most of the country. In our own homes, we love to find ways to make our spaces feel wintery and traditionally festive, while still nodding to our more modern and coastal aesthetics. Below are a few great ways to balance both in your own homes this year.
Sustainable Decor
Fall kicks off the season of the pumpkins! There is nothing wrong with something tried, true and traditional. However, it is so easy to elevate that look by using irregular shaped gourds or even white pumpkins to make the arrangement look more unique, and modern. These Terra Cotta Pumpkins from Potterybarn are a wonderful sustainable option that can use for years to come. Set them out at the beginning of October and enjoy them for a few months, until the next year arrives. These will really vamp up your home for the season.
Image by: Potterybarn
Dried Florals
Using an already dried-out wreath, as opposed to a fresh one allows you to enjoy it longer and works better in climates that aren’t actually cold this time of year! This beautiful Preserved Oat + Flax Wreathe from Terrain would look amazing up against a white, wooden, or painted door as it has both subtle and darker tones, contrasting well against a lighter surface. Bring the look inside by using dried branches or pod stalks like this Dried Star Pod Stalk, and place it into a glass vase in the corner of a bedroom or dining space. This textural element really works all year long, so leave it out for more than just the season!
We also love the opportunity to support local and one of our favorites is the Wilted Twig Co. She does gorgeous dried floral arrangements, wreaths included! Click here to take a look at her work.
Elevated Lighting
Another way we make our home more traditionally festive around the holidays is by amping up the lighting around the space. Adding twinkly lights to vases is a great way to achieve a more festive look. It’s a really fun way to switch up your floral arrangements and can be pretty even with a few pinecones or even seashells, to still emphasize that coastal feeling. Another elegant element is having a candelabra on your table throughout the holidays. It adds such a festive touch to any dinner party or cozy winter evening. This Eloise Candelabra from Anthropologie is perfect all season long and will look great on any dining table, or long buffet in your home. Place it on a long fabric runner to keep the wax off your surfaces.
Image by: Anthropologie
Seasonal Scents
Here in Florida, we have that beautiful beach scent all year long! Around the holidays we like to start transforming our homes to feel more wintery to align with how the rest of the country experiences fall and winter! Using candles and diffusers to whisk us away into pine tree forests, and cozy warm kitchens. All of our candles are hand-poured and the scents are custom created by our Founder, Jessica Holmes Holiday. Click here to purchase our signature scent with notes of amber, lavender, lemon, clove, tobacco, and ginger.