The holidays are when the art of interior design and festive creativity blend perfectly, transforming our living space into a haven filled with warmth and style. For event planner Aram Mortazavi, the founder and owner of LovelyMomentsPlanning, the fusion of tradition and trendy accents is at the heart of her holiday décor.
Aram's Christmas setup is nothing but a masterclass in luxurious simplicity. It features a statement-making tree adorned with a velvet green bow cascading from the top to the floor, complemented by plush velvet ornaments and rustic iron bells.
"This adds a unique texture and luxurious look to the tree, creating a rich, sophisticated feel," says Aram. Besides the tree, a fireplace can also be a center point in a room. A fireplace draped in verdant garlands and thoughtfully placed stockings exudes warmth and holiday charm.
Aram, an event planner since 2020, said achieving a luxurious and elegant look to transform your space doesn't necessarily come with a heavy price tag.
"This can easily be recreated with a modest budget."
She says most decorations, such as garlands, ornaments, ribbons, and velvet fabrics, can be purchased from budget-friendly stores such as Hobby Lobby, Amazon, HomeGoods, and Marshalls.
This year's hottest holiday trend is large bows on Christmas trees, but Aram incorporates this trend with a twist, using a giant velvet bow paired with velvet ornaments and iron bells.
"This adds drama and elegance with a luxurious and unique texture," she says. Depending on the tree's size and the décor's complexity, the entire setup can be completed in a few hours, making it a manageable project for beginners and intermediate decorators.
For New Year's, Aram shifts the mood by curating a lavish yet moody tablescape, perfect for ushering in the year with sophistication. The table exudes glamour and beauty by using dark tablecloths, elegant dishware, and an array of florals, candles, and metallic accents.
"I was inspired by nature and texture. For the New Year's setup, I wanted to create something moody but glamorous, using natural elements like flowers and fruits alongside dark, reflective materials to bring contrast and elegance," she says.
Like her Christmas décor, this New Year's look can be easily achieved with pieces sourced from the same affordable retailers. Aram estimates the setup to take between one and two hours, which is an easy project for those looking to add a bit of glamour without the hassle to their holiday celebrations.
SIDEBAR:
No holiday is complete without good food and drinks. Here, Aram shares her recipe for a perfect New Year's mocktail with seasonal fruits that can be served alongside wine and champagne.
- Combine ½ cups of pomegranate juice, ½ cups of ginger beer, and 2 ½ tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Garnish with mint leaves, lime slices, and ice cubes containing pomegranate arils.
- Stir the ingredients together, add the ice, and garnish with the mint leaves and slice of lime for a fresh, colorful drink that's delicious and beautiful.
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