COTTAGE FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS

Curated abundance creates a festive and cozy ambience for the holidays.

Curated abundance creates a festive and cozy ambience for the holidays.

Christmas decorating is like putting together a puzzle.

The holiday is abundant in many ways: food, family, gifts and decorations, just to name a few. But does that mean you should decorate with abandon or scale back to appreciate the simple joys of the season? Homeowner Samantha Young believes you can do both to great effect.

“I feel that during Christmastime, you can go all out—more is better! More Christmas trees, pillows, throws, signs and décor all add so much to your home for the holidays,” Samantha says. But she balances the festive abundance with attention to smaller details. “I believe that everything is in the details. Little things like personal pillows, signs and rustic farmhouse items I have found along the way and some antique items bring in my personal style for Christmas,” she says.

Samantha, an Etsy shop owner with a penchant for cottage farmhouse style, shares her decorating tips on social media through her Instagram account (@rustichomemomma) and her two Etsy shops (@rustichomemomma and @sweetlovecandy). She lives in Monrovia, California, in a 1947 three-bedroom traditional home with her husband, John, and their sons, Justin and Brayden.

COLOR POP. The family room is the main space you see when you walk into the house. “I added as many Christmas items as possible to set the mood,” Samantha says. “I love how red pops and makes a big impact.”

MERRY MANTEL. Samantha likes the mantel to be a focal piece for the holidays. It anchors the ‘Merry Christmas’ sign and makes it stand out. “I also love a beautifully draped garland,” she says. “That is a must for holiday decorating.”

|TOP RIGHT| SMALL DETAILS, BIG IMPACT. “My favorite space to decorate for Christmas is my front porch. I love adding all my pillows, throws, poinsettias, wreaths and little touches to create a welcoming environment,” Samantha says. “Details are everything! I added red rubber boots with greenery and ribbons to the lanterns to create something special.”

|TOP LEFT| SEASON’S GREETINGS. Samantha is ready to welcome friends and family. “I love placing garlands around the front door. They add so much festivity to the entrance,” she says.

|BOTTOM RIGHT| ENTRYWAY BUFFET. “I tend to decorate more simply in the home’s entryway,” Samantha says. “Simple things like adding red bows to the lamps makes them stand out.”