Last week, i walked into an antique store and noticed a little Christmas decor display that immediately made me think of Ralph Lauren. I felt completely inspired! Get inspired right here with me.
So this year i have been feeling a little disconnected from the usual Christmas excitement. Usually by this time of the year my tree is up and decorations are being bought up from the basement. This year however, i am not feeling the need to even bring up the tree. This was until i walked in an antique store and felt completely inspired.
When i walk into any store these days, i am just hit with an abundance of plastic Christmas decor in a million different colors and honestly, i just feel confused and a little burnt out. It isn’t even December yet and i have been seeing Christmas decor since September, so i am feeling Christmas fatigue and it hasn’t even started!
Then i go into the antique store, see the above display, and just feel calm and inspired. This whole display just reminded me of the timeless classic Ralph Lauren, and that is what i have decided that Christmas will look like in my house this year.
Inspired by the timeless world of Ralph Lauren, this style brings together English country house charm, equestrian influences and a little old-world glamour. Think deep forest greens, burgundy velvet, traditional tartan, polished brass, antique silver and beautiful details that feel as though they have been collected over many years. It’s Christmas decor with a story.
Whether you live in a country house or a more modern home, you can bring a little of this timeless style into your Christmas decorating. Here's how to create a very Ralph Lauren Christmas.
Start with a Traditional Christmas Colour Palette
The secret to achieving this look is choosing a color palette that feels rich, warm and traditional.
Forget bright, modern Christmas colors. Instead, look towards the colours you'd expect to find in a beautiful English country estate.
The key shades include:
Deep forest green
Burgundy and oxblood red
Warm chocolate brown
Cream and antique ivory
Tartan reds and greens
Antique gold and brass
Once you have a good base of color, you can start adding the details.
Dress Your Christmas Tree in Tartan and Velvet
Start with a beautiful green tree, preferably one with a natural shape and plenty of texture. Add warm white lights and then begin layering your decorations.
Some of my favorite decorations for this style include:
Burgundy velvet ribbon tied into generous bows.
Traditional red and green tartan ribbon.
Brass horse ornaments.
Vintage-inspired glass baubles.
Gold bells and antique-looking ornaments.
Wooden decorations and traditional nutcrackers.
Deep red berries and natural pinecones.
One of my favorite ways to decorate a tree is to use wide velvet ribbon cascading naturally through the branches. It creates a beautiful, luxurious effect without needing hundreds of decorations.
Don’t worry about trying to create a perfectly matched tree, i think a little mismatch of decorations adds to the charm.
Bring in Equestrian-Inspired Details
You can't have a Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas without a few equestrian details.
The equestrian aesthetic is all about classic country living, traditional sporting influences and beautiful materials. Think leather riding boots, old horse paintings, brass accessories and traditional country house interiors.
You don't need to go overboard with horse-themed decorations. A few carefully chosen pieces will make much more of an impact.
Consider incorporating:
Brass horse figurines on bookshelves or side tables.
Horse-head Christmas ornaments.
Vintage equestrian prints in traditional frames.
Leather accessories and decorative boxes.
Horse-themed cushions.
Antique-style riding prints.
Traditional brass bells.
Make Tartan a Christmas Staple
If there is one fabric that immediately makes me think of a traditional country Christmas, it's tartan.
Whether you choose a classic red plaid, a deep green check or a more muted heritage pattern, tartan adds warmth and character to a room.
There are so many ways to incorporate it into your decorating.
Try adding tartan cushions to your sofa, a plaid throw over an armchair or a beautiful checked tablecloth for Christmas entertaining.
You could also use tartan ribbon to decorate wreaths, wrap presents or tie around candle holders.
For a more understated look, introduce tartan in smaller details. A few cushions or a ribbon around a wreath can be enough to establish the aesthetic without making the room feel too busy.
The trick is to mix it with solid colors and beautiful natural textures.
Create a Beautifully Decorated Christmas Mantel
A Christmas mantel is the perfect opportunity to bring together all the elements of this decorating style.
I love a mantel that looks natural and slightly abundant, rather than overly symmetrical or carefully arranged.
Start with fresh or realistic faux greenery. Cedar, pine and eucalyptus all work beautifully. Allow some of the greenery to drape naturally over the edges of the mantel.
Then introduce layers of traditional decorations.
Some ideas include:
Brass candlesticks in varying heights.
Burgundy velvet bows.
Antique silver pieces.
Pinecones and dried oranges.
Traditional stockings in velvet or tartan.
Vintage-style framed artwork.
Small decorative horse figures.
For an especially beautiful finishing touch, add a few warm white taper candles.
The combination of greenery, candlelight and antique brass creates that wonderful old-world Christmas feeling that i just love!
Decorate with Antique Silver and Brass
One of the things I love about traditional interiors is how beautifully antique pieces can be incorporated into seasonal decorating.
You don't need to purchase everything new to create a luxurious Christmas home. In fact, some of the most interesting decorations can be found in antique shops, thrift shops, and vintage markets.
Look for silver trays, brass candlesticks, decorative bowls, vintage picture frames and interesting little boxes.
An antique silver tray can be used to create a beautiful Christmas coffee table arrangement. Add a candle, a small vase of seasonal greenery, a few old books and perhaps a little decorative ornament.
Brass pieces are equally lovely. Look for candlesticks, bells, small animal figurines and decorative accessories.
The beauty of these materials is that they add warmth and character, particularly when paired with darker woods, velvet and traditional fabrics.
Wrap Your Christmas Presents in Traditional Style
Gift wrapping is one of those small details that can make an enormous difference to the overall look of your Christmas home.
For a Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas, I would move away from brightly coloured wrapping paper and choose something a little more understated.
Think:
Brown kraft paper.
Deep forest green wrapping paper.
Burgundy paper.
Traditional tartan ribbon.
Wide velvet ribbon.
Gold gift tags.
Natural twine.
Small sprigs of cedar or rosemary.
I particularly love brown paper wrapped with a generous burgundy velvet ribbon. It feels simple, elegant and timeless.
You could also introduce small brass bells or decorative gift tags for an extra special finishing touch.
Display your wrapped presents beneath the Christmas tree so they become part of your decorating scheme.
Where to Find Ralph Lauren-Inspired Christmas Decorations
You don't need to purchase an entire collection of designer decorations to achieve this look. Some of the most beautiful pieces can be found in unexpected places.
Here are a few places I'd look:
Antique and vintage shops: Look for brass candlesticks, silver trays, vintage horse prints, old books, decorative boxes and traditional ornaments.
Thrift stores: These are wonderful places to find interesting glassware, ceramic pieces, vintage picture frames and seasonal decorations. Don't overlook older Christmas ornaments that might need a little cleaning.
Garden centers: Look for natural wreaths, cedar branches, pinecones, seasonal greenery and beautiful traditional Christmas decorations.
Fabric and craft shops: Purchase velvet ribbon, tartan fabric and wide decorative bows. Sometimes a little fabric can be transformed into something much more beautiful than an expensive ready-made decoration.
Homeware shops: Look for traditional candle holders, neutral dinnerware, brass accessories and beautiful textiles that can be used year after year.
Amazon: One thing i love about building a collection, is mixing old with new.
My advice is to build your collection slowly. Choose pieces that you genuinely love and that can be brought out every Christmas. Over time, you'll create a collection that feels personal rather than something purchased all at once.
Disclaimer: When purchasing on Amazon using links, i do make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
