Traditional CHRISTMAS

Take a page out of Claudia’s book with these three key tips for creating an old-fashioned Christmas setting in your home.

• Swap out Christmas lights for lanterns. Christmas lights were invented in the late 1800s, so of course, traditional holiday décor didn’t include string lights. But using lanterns and smaller candles also gives you the ability to customize your décor, whether you prefer gold or silver lanterns—or for that matter, short, tall, fat or skinny ones.

• Trade intricate ornaments for more intimate designs. Sure, everyone loves to pick out new ornaments to refresh the tree. But old-timey decorations completely reinvent the look of the tree. While Claudia used small houses and birds, additional old-fashioned decorations include strings of popcorn and candy canes—more natural materials that remind us of the season.

• Look to the outdoors for inspiration, and bring it inside. Maybe our most obvious tip, but it remains one for good reason. There’s nothing more classic than a white Christmas, and it’s easy to recreate in your home with a little fake snow and a heavy dose of greenery. And, of course, don’t forget the poinsettias!

MERRY MEDLEY. A rare sighting of red appears on Claudia’s dining room table. She introduced a bouquet of pink roses and a sprinkling of red berries to bring out the pattern in her antique Coalport china set, in the pattern Indian Tree. These bright and cheery festive touches play well with the coastal-themed napkins and modern furniture from Serena & Lily.