When the holiday season draws near, our homes start to come alive with Christmas magic. As we eagerly decorate, the twinkling lights, festive colors, and cozy atmosphere evoke the joyful spirit of childhood within us all. To uncover the secrets behind crafting the perfect Christmas decor, we sat down with Jocelyn and Colleen, the creative minds behind J&Co Interiors, as they shared their backgrounds, design philosophies, timeless Christmas decor elements, current trends, budget-friendly tips, and a delightful DIY project for creating a dried fruit garland.
Jocelyn and Colleen's journey into the world of interior design began over their shared love for DIY projects and home design. This passion, coupled with their public relations backgrounds, planted the seeds for what would become J&Co Interiors. As Jocelyn puts it, "Our passion when it comes to home design is creating spaces our clients love through thoughtfully curated design. So many of us live stressed-out lives, and we really want our homes to be our escape, where we can find peace."
Their inspiration to establish J&Co Interiors came from a desire to create spaces that enhance rest, joy, beauty, and peace. They started by helping friends and family with design work, never imagining that their paths would align to start their own design business. But when the stars aligned, they seized the opportunity, and J&Co Interiors was born.
When it comes to crafting a cozy Christmas atmosphere, Jocelyn and Colleen have a few guiding principles. They believe in incorporating different light sources, including twinkle lights, string lights, candles, and puck lights. Jocelyn explains, "It's such a nice feeling when you can turn off the main lights in your home and have soft warm ambient light surrounding you. It just creates such a cozy atmosphere."
When it comes to Christmas decor, there are timeless elements that one can rely on year after year. Jocelyn and Colleen recommend classic elements like tartan or plaid, as well as traditional shades of red and green. To create a cohesive look, they suggest using one or two Christmas themes throughout your home. For instance, you could use various snowflake decorations of different textures, sizes, and materials, as long as they match your chosen color scheme. Jocelyn reminds us that simplicity is key: "Oftentimes people think they need to fill every wall or space in their home with decor, and that just isn't the case. Having open wall and shelf space is important to keep your home feeling less busy and gives your eyes and body space to breathe. Always remember less is more!"
For those who like to stay ahead of the curve, Jocelyn and Coleen predict some exciting Christmas decor trends. She notes, "Expect to see a lot of burgundy and deep green in the coming years, as well as textures like velvet, boucle, and sparkle." They also observe a return to vintage elements, such as tinsel on trees and table settings, making a comeback. The trend they love most, however, is the mix of old and new, creating a nostalgic yet fresh look.
Decorating for the holidays doesn't have to break the bank, and Jocelyn and Colleen are masters of budget-friendly decorating. They recommend thrifting as one of the best ways to find unique and affordable items. They often discover hidden gems at places like Goodwill, the dollar store, and on Facebook Marketplace. "Our clients are often shocked by what we are able to create with used items," says Jocelyn, "and it feels good being able to repurpose whenever we can." A budget-friendly tip they share is investing in high-quality pillow inserts and switching out the covers for different seasons and holidays. This not only saves money but also reduces clutter by eliminating the need for multiple pillows.
DIY projects are a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your holiday decor. Jocelyn and Colleen walked us through the process of creating a beautiful dried fruit garland "First, you need to dehydrate the fruit, either by baking on super low temperature all day in the oven or using a food dehydrator. Once the fruit is ready, use twine as your base and thread the dried fruit through it. To add interest and flair, incorporate pine cones, cinnamon sticks, and faux cranberries by tying them directly onto the twine,” they explain. Jocelyn suggests choosing a pattern to repeat and spacing them somewhat evenly. Don't stop at the garland—use the extra dried fruit and pine cones to decorate other areas of your home, such as your table or a decorative bowl.
The key to successful holiday decorating, as Jocelyn and Colleen emphasize, is consistency. Whether you're following a particular style or theme, spreading elements like the dried fruit garland throughout your home creates a cohesive and inviting atmosphere. “That rule goes for any style or theme you choose to decorate or focus on for holidays!” says Jocelyn.
In the end, Christmas decor is not just about aesthetics, but also creating a warm and welcoming space where you can celebrate the joy and magic of the season. “We both absolutely love the Christmas season and try to embrace the warmth, joy and fellowship it brings through our designs,” they explain. Jocelyn and Colleen's insights, design philosophies, and DIY ideas provide a wonderful starting point for transforming your home into a cozy Christmas wonderland that will leave your guests in awe and fill your heart with holiday cheer. So, grab some twinkle lights, mix in old with new, and start crafting your own holiday magic!
“We both absolutely love the Christmas season and try to embrace the warmth, joy and fellowship it brings through our designs”