Equestrian Inspired Christmas Tour: Living Room
This year, I decided to break my annual holiday home tour down by room… because what’s more fun than multiple holiday posts? I took way too many images to cram them into a single session, plus- I thought this would make a great series, while giving us something to look forward to. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have! First up on the holiday home tour is my living room. Click through for a look at the seasonally decorated space, to browse the details, and of course for the source links. I’m excited to share my equestrian inspired Christmas decor with you…
Our formal living room is always the highlight of my holiday decorating. It’s our gathering room, and the space that contains our Christmas tree. Every holiday season, I enjoy switching things up- from the color palette, pattern, or a loosely planned theme… it’s just fun to play. This year, my holiday decor was inspired by my love for horses, all things traditional design, trendy chestnut hues, with a little Ralph Lauren mixed in. After all, you know his recent book topped my list for the best interior design books for timeless home inspiration. You probably saw this coming? This might be my favorite Christmas look yet. Ready for the tour?
The Fireplace
This year, I used the same real touch cedar garland from the Tuesday Made shop that I styled last Christmas. It’s just so pretty and realistic! My plan was to opt for an asymmetric mantel again, but with more of a swag and swooping movement.
In addition to the garland, I kept the mantel styling simple with pretty glass candleholders, a vintage horse bookend, a couple stacked burl keepsake boxes, and I sewed new stocking slipcovers for a classic & quilted look! Find my slipcover Christmas stocking DIY here, for the complete tutorial.
I’m not over my old pinecone wreath quite yet… it made an appearance for the third year in a row. I love the textural element it adds and I’m a fan of layering it over a wall mirror. It always fits so perfectly!
You might also notice my new sconce shades? My favorite Abbington sconces got an upgrade with inexpensive black tapered shades. They add a little drama to my fireplace vignette and make this wall feel more balanced.
This year I leaned heavily into a brown color palette… hues of chestnut, caramel, saddle, cognac, and chocolate. While brown is certainly having a moment this year, this color family always feels timeless to me. Paired alongside black, natural materials, and greenery… you really can’t go wrong. It’s a perfect holiday match.
I was talking to a friend this week about details. While time consuming, I’ve always been a big believer that design and special moments happen in the attention to detail- especially in regards to seasonal decorating. I hope you discover and smile at some of the little moments and vintage treasures tucked into these vignettes deep within my photos!
Cozy Seating
After I styled the fireplace, I focused on cozy seating and swapping textiles for the wintery season ahead.
You’ll notice a couple new bolster pillows and a few new blankets paired alongside my tried & true swivels and sofa. I truly love how comfortable our living room furniture is… not to mention how well it’s holding up.
I scored a couple blankets at home estate sales earlier in the year… a striped wool coverlet and a vintage ski blanket from one of our favorite local lodges. Are there any Deer Valley skiers out there? Any fans of Stein Erikson? These heavy vintage textiles fit perfectly into my plan this year!
I also grabbed a new tartan throw from the Tuesday Made shop which perfectly ties in our blue sofa. Draping a smaller blanket over the back or seat of your sofa is the easiest way to update the look of your furniture during the holidays!
I nestled mini wreaths here and there for texture & greenery, tossed my newly constructed faux fur lumbar pillows onto the sofa, and styled some charming vintage Ralph Lauren leather coasters onto the side table for festive holiday drinks.
I kept the coffee table styling layered and neutral this year… candles, greenery, and favorite books. That giant oud noir candle circled by the vintage French horn does the heavy lifting in this vignette.
Styled Built-Ins
Moving along to the always controversial side of the room… my built-ins. There is always a heated design discussion around shelf styling with books– particularly flipping the spines for a softer, neutral display (like I love to do every Christmas).
This year was no different- I flipped my entire library, adding my old wreaths (carefully tied with layered brown ribbon), and added some sculptural objects to the mix. It’s a simple & visually effective way to shelf style.
Did you notice my floor lamp? That Visual Comfort beauty also came from an estate sale. I dug my old star anise wreaths out and tied them in front of my abstract art panels. I wish you could smell those wreaths! Who remembers when I made those DIY abstract diptych panels at our old house? I still like them…
Demilune Vignette
My beloved demilune corner also got a holiday glow up. Derby (Emmett’s horse), made his first appearance in our living room. The painting actually first perfectly here!
I installed a boxwood wreath over the taxidermy, tied it with a ribbon, layered a stand of garland, shuffled my zebra ottomans (they’re on sale right now!), swapped the lamp, and brought out a new seasonal candle that crackles like a fire when it burns. I enjoy a good wood wick!
I think this corner turned out quite cozy & cute. I actually like it best in the evening when everything is glowing and lit. Should I work on capturing an evening holiday home tour for you?
Sources
As always, I wanted to share sources with you (lots of high & low mixing in this one)… plus, quite a bit of it is vintage. I’ll link what I can!
Click directly on each item below to be redirected.
FAQ
Those are vintage Ralph Lauren. Here is the same vintage set, but in black!
I love using holiday candles this time of year, and they’re easy to nest inside of wreaths, vintage french horns, atop a silver tray, or on an oversized book. 
My friend Jess painted that for us… it’s of Emmett’s horse, Derby. It’s an original we’ll always cherish!
I like to collect a good base collection: classic ornaments, timeless greenery, and the essentials. Then, I’ll get more creative with textiles, pillows, ribbon, wrapping paper, etc. You can also shuffle items around in your home, borrowing from other rooms as needed. I do a lot of that!
Other stops on my holiday home tour will include: a closer look at our tree, my home office, and the kitchen & dining room. I’ll also share an exterior holiday home tour later in the month, if anyone is interested. I hope you enjoyed my living room this year! If I missed any sources, feel free to ask me about anything. I’m looking forward to your thoughts in the comment section below. Here’s to more holiday, seasonal, and winter styling fun ahead…