The holiday season is upon us. We all love the much needed time off and quality time with family and friends, yet the holidays are still a lot of work. I created a comfortable, simple, and stylish home for this time of year. With these five steps, you can beam your home into the holiday spirit with less fuss.

STEP 1: Find what’s ordinary and make it extraordinary.

I cut down some branches from my Japanese maple tree and arranged them in a very basic glass vase I had in my closet. I hung ornaments from some of the branches, and used the arrangement as a centerpiece on a coffee table—it brings whimsy and enchantment to the room.

STEP 2: Get the perfect greens.

This year my favorites include: juniper pine, white cedar, magnolia, weeping cedar, cypress, and long needle pine. I favored the long needle pine for this feature. Just like the name implies, its long needles provide an out-of-this-world modern flare, while the medium to light green hue of its body packs a big punch.

Every year I talk about real versus fake. For this photoshoot, I used faux foliage. If you go faux, make sure to invest in high quality. Remember: what you pay for is what you get!

If you are opting for live greenery, it is essential to keep them moist in the dry winter months. To lock in the moisture, you can treat the leaves with an anti-desiccant spray (sold at most nurseries). Keep them out of direct sunlight. And, mix different types to give your home the ultimate aromatic experience.

STEP 3: Set your table.

I don’t always keep my table ready for service, but around this time of year it’s fun to feel prepared for an impromptu dinner with dear friends or family. I think a set table warms up your home and gives all the holiday feels. My table setting combines plain black plates (black is oh-so-cool for any season), a mixture of candlesticks, and garland of my favorite long needle pine.

STEP 4: Swap out existing art for wintery graphics.

One of my favorite sources for artwork and photography is

www.minted.com. The site has thousands of images that you can choose from, and with a wide range of sizes and framing options, this is a perfect source to find affordable seasonal art. I selected black and white framed prints to liven this home with holiday cheer. You can be sure decking the halls with this unexpected twist will make your home truly enchanting.

STEP 5: Wrapping the presents should be no hassle at all.

I used white butcher paper and a simple black satin ribbon to wrap my presents this year. I like the high contrast of black and white, plus the satin ribbon gives an elegant touch.

No matter the theme of your holiday décor, I encourage you to keep it simple, fresh, and inspiring.

Interiors Editor Erin Melkonian

Principal, Erin Melkonian Interior Design

Photographer Ellie Koleen