Glitter is better when it comes to holiday décor. When Keynan Ammons, owner of Ammons Design & Home Décor, was charged with transforming this Lake Van Ness home in Fresno, he envisioned neutral golds and greens anchoring a space filled with subtle yet sophisticated glitz. “Typically when I’m decorating, I try to make a concerted effort to make everything very deliberate—it doesn’t feel like a brick just sitting there. It needs to feel like it’s flowing and be very organic and natural,” imparts the designer. “Not feeling so made, but like it’s custom designed just for your home.” The result here is a festive decoration that harmoniously interacts with the home’s interior design.

The tree sets the tone for the space and stems from the client’s values. “She’s religious, and so that’s why we included the cherubs, the angels,” Keynan explains. “We wanted something that would tie in her faith with Christmas while also blending into her neutral environment with the color scheme.” Draped in cascading, golden-beige metallic ribbons, the evergreen centerpiece seamlessly coordinates with the home’s existing style. The addition of shimmering laurels, globe ornaments, and faux poinsettias becomes radiant amidst its twinkling lights.

Atop the fireplace mantel, a custom garland serves as the foundation for abundant adornments. “We included eucalyptus to soften it up just a little bit because we wanted it to feel slightly different than what you would traditionally see in a garland,” elaborates Keynan. “We wanted it to feel bright and airy.” Ecru, cream, and white ribbons, florals, and baubles perfectly complement the hearth’s snowy tone, whose elegant curves allow the overflow of boughs to feel sultrily juxtaposed.

Behind the fireplace, built-in taupe shelving showcases a collection of cheerful figurines amidst the client’s glass and crystal decanters and bowls. “Typically, we always start with the client’s existing inventory, and the reason why we do that is because our clients really do know what they love,” making it easy to follow their taste and perfect the space’s fine details. Each shelf acts as a sort of diorama. When viewed collectively, a sweeping holiday scene unfolds, leaving the eye bouncing around from one festive scene to the next.

Across a sofa table, finials composed alongside bottlebrush trees create the illusion of a sparkling timberline behind the couch. “I thought they were a nice touch. They were the right color,” Keynan says. “A lot of times people don’t really use finials, but they are just great for filling spaces and not feeling like it’s heavy.” The repeated shape of these finishing decorative pieces with the trees makes for an eye-catching display. Wire-string lights around what would be tree trunks feel like fresh snowfall on the tabletop.

Gold and glitter holiday décor effortlessly fit in with the addition of angels around the space. There are a couple fastened to the tree. “The angels in the trees were hers, and so that was kind of the focal point for the tree,” Keynan adds. He brought in a pair of trumpeting versions with glistening wings to grace the dining table, where another custom centerpiece that echoes the mantel garland lays. Another angel keeps watch from a decorative accent shelf, where she is perched next to a pearl-encrusted tree.

Preparing holiday décor isn’t a seasonal job when you’re an interior designer. “A lot of our inventory we purchase in January at the Vegas Market, and so there’s a lot of planning that’s involved with our Christmas orders,” divulges Keynan. For example, “In January of 2023, I have to know what’s trending at Christmas in 2023.” But you don’t have to begin with a clean slate annually. “What you already have is probably a great base, and you don’t have to start over every year,” Keynan is keen to point out. Having a personal inventory established is actually a great way to evolve with the years, so don’t be afraid to edit what you’ve got or ask for input from a local professional this holiday season!

Features Editor Elisabeth Ross
Interiors Contributor Keynan Ammons
Photographer Sam Justice