Entrepreneur, author and social media personality Jillian Harris puts a festive spin on the Kelowna, B.C., home she shares with her family.

Many in-demand designers gravitate to a more contemporary holiday look – you know, pared-back accessories and pale palettes with not a fleck of traditional red or green to be found. Not Jillian Harris. “I love decorating with classic Christmas pieces. Nutcrackers, gingerbread houses, spruce boughs, red cardinals and stockings are my go-tos,” she says. Not to mention, Santa cushions, candy canes and North Pole-labelled mailboxes.

MERRY ENTRY

Decked with fresh greenery, wreaths and more, Jillian’s front porch brims with welcoming holiday cheer and is jam-packed with inspirational ideas. “It’s all about creating a cozy look and feel,” she says. “I add warmth to outdoor spaces by placing pillows and blankets on patio furniture, and by creating a winter wonderland with groupings of potted trees – real or faux – placed around the entry.”

The effect continues over the threshold where festive red and white accessories are a fun foil to the entryway’s pale wainscotting and brass light fixtures. The nativity scene, an heirloom that Jillian’s fiancé Justin inherited, layers in a warm vintage vibe.

That’s the kind of old-fashioned decor found throughout the 3,200-square-foot 1970s ranch-style home Jillian shares with her husband Justin, children Leo, 5, and Annie, 3, and dogs, Nacho and Peaches – and it’s very much intentional. “Christmas is all about family, and Christmas decor should have a hint of nostalgia,” says Jillian, who prefers to return to the same decorative scheme every year. “I do purchase a couple of new accessories every now and again, but I really like repurposing what I have around the house and reusing my holiday decor to create that nostalgic feeling.” And that’s just what she’s done, from the festive front door to trees in every bedroom. Jillian’s advice? “If you do just one thing with Christmas decor, it should be whatever makes you happy – and this is what makes me and my family very happy.”

TRAY CHIC

Incorporating holiday touches judiciously throughout the space cultivates a holiday feel that’s cohesive rather than cloying. A tiny faux tree brings a vintage tray to holiday life, while vintage glassware that belonged to Justin’s grandmother sparkles with personality.

A FESTIVE TABLE

Jillian has an easy formula for making the holiday table come alive: start with everyday dishes, cutlery and glassware, and then customize from there. “I always choose napkins and additional dishes that represent the holiday, so for Christmas it’s red napkins and my 12-Days-of-Christmas plates,” she says. “I love a centrepiece of natural greenery with a mix of different types of candles – pillars, votives and tapers.” The chandelier adds cheery continuity with an embellishment of eucalyptus and greens, while the throws are a festive finishing touch. “Use anything you can find around your home, like blankets or throws, that will complement the overall look.”

RECIPE FOR A MAKEOVER

“Don’t be fooled! I spend most of my time in a romper and slippers with my hair in a topknot, especially when I’m just at home with the kids. However, I do like getting dressed up for our Christmas dinner.”

Every holiday, Jillian (pictured here with Nacho in his Santa hat) gives the kitchen stools a cheery refresh by replacing their year-round grey chair covers with zingy plaid ones. The roman blind gets a similar seasonal update with a Merry Christmas banner. Store-bought Santa mugs have a sweet vintage vibe and make for a fun way to display holiday treats, while the dreamy pantry is slightly more restrained in its decor. “Sometimes all you need is a simple garland,” says Jillian. The silvery console table usually sits on the front porch, but its scale works perfectly for a holiday vignette.

CASE STUDY

“It’s all about little details…swapping out cushions from neutral to red, adding twinkling lights and boughs of greenery. All of these small things really play off one another!”

Rethinking bookshelves is another creative way Jillian layers in holiday energy. “Typically, the living room shelves hold our family photos, heirlooms and books, but once the holidays roll around, I do a sweep of these items, tuck some away for the season and replace them with festive pieces, such as nutcrackers, mini trees, twinkle lights and any holiday decor I have that works in the space. The best tip I can share? Have fun and play around with it.”

CURATE CHEER

Seasonal artwork, like the print on the mantel, is one of Jillian’s favourite ways to decorate and one of the reasons she created Jilly Digital, an online collection of downloadable prints. They are easy to pop in a frame, replace with the season, and replicate in different sizes.

Proof: Jillian repeated this graphic red and white beauty in a smaller size and rested it on her bedroom dresser.

THE MEANING OF THINGS

“One of my favourite traditions that I just started last year is adding my grandmother’s red cardinal decorations to our Christmas tree. When I was younger, I never understood why my Boomba, as I called her, loved these cardinals so much. But I was lucky enough to inherit them and love adding them to our tree. They make me feel as though she is still here with us.”

PRIMARY SPARKLE

“Keep it simple! Try swapping out bedding or pillows with holiday colours and prints or hanging a wreath in an unexpected place, like over your bed.”

The primary bedroom is further testament to Jillian’s belief that Christmas decor should extend beyond the tree. “I love incorporating it throughout the entire home and especially in a personal space, like a bedroom, so you can really enjoy holiday magic all the time.” Tiny faux trees at the bedside continue the winter wonderland vibe, and even the ensuite towels follow suit in a shade of vibrant red.

HOLIDAY TOUCHES

ENSUITE ELEGANCE

Seasonal additions, from simple red towels to trees, a wreath and a nutcracker, inform the ensuite with festive flair that doesn’t distract from the room’s overall dreaminess.

“I designed this to feel like a boutique hotel. It’s where I spend my ‘me time’ after the kids are in bed – glass of wine mandatory!”

Jillian describes the primary ensuite as a space “that dreams are made of.” Custom-made drapes factor in unexpected softness, while panelling imparts a more formal, upscale feel that allows a perch for candles and artwork above the sculptural tub. The chandelier has a pretty, almost feminine, effect against the classic backdrop, and helps create the pitch-perfect blend of his-and-hers style.

ALL THROUGH THE HOUSE

“Adding a little Christmas tree to the kids’ rooms gives them the opportunity to get creative and have something they can decorate for themselves. I also like to have fun by adding bows or Santa hats to their stuffed animals.”

GROWING INTO STYLE

Jillian decorated Annie’s bedroom to be girly but also have design longevity. There is a sweet chandelier and lots of pink, but the drapes feel sophisticated – even with playful pompom trim – and the framed artwork, although whimsical, affords a formal charm.

“I love the nostalgic feeling our decorations give me. The pops of red are just so timeless and classic, especially when mixed with whites and creams and some greenery.”

STARRY NIGHTS

Jillian used Leo’s love of Star Wars as a launching pad for his bedroom decor, from the artwork to the star-speckled ceiling reminiscent of faraway galaxies. The holiday touches here include a timely ornament that was chosen to celebrate one of the family’s latest adventures: Justin teaching Leo and Annie how to snowboard.