Cozy and Coastal Holidays at HGTV Dream Home

Discover HGTV Dream Home 2018 decked out for the holiday season featuring coastal modern flair, festive red and white decor, and stunning outdoor spaces perfect for entertaining.

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November 29, 2017

By: Amanda Lecky

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Photo By: Robert Peterson, Rustic White Photography

Set the Scene

In a space with a soaring ceiling, take the opportunity to make your décor as dramatic as the architecture. Repeating the same element across an entire wall (or wall of windows, as the design team did with these “snow”-covered wreathes at HGTV Dream Home 2018) makes a big impact without overwhelming the space.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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One Allium Way Lyla 31.5-inch Natural Wreath

Fraser Hill Farm Mountain Pine 9' White Artificial Christmas Tree with LED Lighting

Birch Lane Snowflake Classic Knit Stocking

Mud Pie Christmas Gnome

Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Shayla 24-Light Candle-Style Chandelier

Studio A 3 Piece Harry Candlestick Set

Go for the Glow

Candlelight, firelight, and the twinkle of white holiday lights create a warm, inviting atmosphere in any room. Be sure to use unscented candles in any space where you’ll be serving holiday goodies so heavy fragrances won’t compete with the aromas and fragrances of your delicious foods. Candle sticks add height and elevated style to the coffee table.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Studio A 3 Piece Harry Candlestick Set

Mud Pie Tartan Plaid 13-inch Charger Plate

The Holiday Aisle Winter's Plaid Dessert Bowl

Gordon Ramsay Maze Mug

Kurt Adler Deer Stocking Holder

Birch Lane Snowflake Classic Knit Stocking

Get Creative with Gifts

Choose wrapping paper, ribbon, and other gift-adornments that coordinate with your holiday decorating color scheme. Then, arrange presents beneath and around your tree so they’ll add an enticing design element until the big day.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Highlight the Stockings

Weighted stocking hangers look pretty on the mantel and protect it from the damage of hooks or adhesives. Look for a style that repeats a motif you’ll use elsewhere in the room or house; these silver reindeer figures echo the reindeer pictured on the sofa pillows, for example.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Customize the Colors for Every Room

For a coordinated and cohesive look, choose a palette of three or four colors per room and keep all your decorating within that scheme. Here, pale blue, white, and red with a few touches of gold and silver, are repeated throughout the great room, from the tree to the sofa pillows and beyond.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Add Touchable Texture

Holiday decorations are often all about shimmer and shine, but texture is an important element, too. For tree decorations, think about choosing some matte or pearlized ornaments to contrast with shiny glass balls. Ribbon, faux-snow flocking, and furry winter animals add unexpected richness.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Have a Jolly Holiday

Not everything has to be elegant and adult. Adorable folk-art gnomes, for example—in colors that fit with your decorating scheme, of course—add a little touch of whimsy that kids and grownups alike will love.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Consider All the Angles

Look at your room from every corner to make sure there’s a pretty holiday highlight wherever the eye falls. A plaid throw folded neatly over a sofa arm and a trio of deep red flower arrangements, for example, frame the seating area in rich detail.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Shayla 24-Light Candle-Style Chandelier

Poshbin Grace Sofa

Brayden Studio Louisa Square Coffee Table

Gordon Ramsay Maze Mug

VHC Brands Marshall Woven Throw

Debage Inc. Patina Cotton Throw Pillow

Practice Your Balance

A mix of symmetry and asymmetry can make your holiday decorations look balanced, yet spontaneous. Here, the design team kept the decorations simple on the lower level of the sofa table by filling a pair of woven baskets with ornaments, but left the look looser on top, with a cocktail tray on one side and a modern white vessel trailing a cranberry garland on the other. The miniature evergreen tree in the center creates a focal point.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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17 Stories Samar Console Table

The Holiday Aisle 36-inch Green Pine Artificial Christmas Tree

Birch Lane Woven Storage Bin

Mint Pantry Anemone Poplar Finish Tray

Alcott Hill Crockett Christmas Knitted Throw

The Holiday Aisle Alabaster Deer Sitting Figurine

Add Texture

It’s easy to go overboard with bling at this time of year, but incorporating some more homely elements and textures—a stack of festive pillows and cozy blankets and some woven baskets, say—keeps the look more inviting and personal.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Get Everyone Involved

A tree-trimming party is fun for all ages (and gets you out of doing the whole thing yourself). Bowls of cranberries and popcorn with plenty of needles and spools of color-coordinated thread—and trays of seasonal cocktails and other treats, of course—will bring your guests together in the holiday spirit.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keep it Casual

No need for formal dining: Buffet-style entertaining, from brunch to desserts, is easier on the host and, often, more fun for the guests. But don’t neglect the buffet table. Make it as bold and beautiful as if you were hosting a state dinner, with plenty of shining silver, fresh flowers, and your favorite holiday linens.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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The Holiday Aisle Snowy Noel Embroidered Snowflake Christmas Napkin

Darby Home Co. Sorrels Side Chair

Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Sydney Table 84-inch

Trent Austin Design Shoreham Wood Dining Bench

Darby Home Co. 3 Piece Aluminum Candlestick Set

Marmont Hill 'The Sun Warms' Framed Painting

Get High and Low

Vary the heights of both your decorations—candlesticks, floral arrangements, etc.—and serving pieces. The former adds drama and visual interest; the latter gives each delicacy a place of honor, and makes it easier for multiple guests to serve themselves at the same time.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Go Mad for Plaid

It’s perfect for holiday time, certainly, but bold plaid upholstery works just as well the rest of the year. In spring and fall, use tableware and accessories that pick up the white or black elements of the pattern instead of the holiday hues of red or green. In summer, consider covering up with off-white slipcovers for a lighter look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Take Notes from Top Hotels

Adding thoughtful extras like a pair of soft slippers or a freshly laundered terrycloth robe on a hook will make you feel pampered during the holidays. Fun decorating touches like a personal tree, an appliqued pillow, or a stack of presents extend the holiday spirit to every corner of your home.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Loon Peak Frissel Trees Throw Pillow

Wade Logan Allenport Upholstered Platform Bed

Breakwater Bay Katalina 2 Drawer Nightstand

The Holiday Aisle 2.5' Green Artificial Christmas Tree

Trent Austin Design Keene Plaid Wool Throw

Eddie Bauer 600 Fill Power Down Comforter

Vary the Palette

Bright splashes of red and green are great for living areas, but for a bedroom a more soothing selection is in order. Sage, cream, and rich brown keep things restful in this bedroom, while wintery patterns and festive messages inject a little holiday fun.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Let Santa Visit Early

Have a personal stocking filled with treats—a box of chocolates, a sleeping mask, some hand cream, a juicy novel—waiting for you as you crawl into bed each night.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Hang Easy Accents

A few wall hooks are a convenience, especially during an active holiday, and also an opportunity to layer on some festive touches. Here, stockings in three different styles add color and pattern to a plain white wall. But you could also hang a brightly patterned sweater, or even a red or green baseball hat for a similar effect.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Stay Sophisticated

Whether traditional red and green are for you or if you just want to vary the look from room to room you’ll find that a neutral color scheme can look plenty festive. Just layer upholstered pieces with pillows and throws in rich fabrics like velvet and silk, keep flowers white and green, and choose holiday decorations in muted colors, such as this trio of gray and sage gnomes.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Loon Peak Frost Tip Bristle 24-inch Pine Wreath

Mud Pie 3 Piece Whimsical Holiday Gnomes Table Sitter

Gus Modern Harbord Loft Reversible Sectional

Beachcrest Home Bowling Green Cocktail Ottoman

Birch Lane Philippa Throw

Loloi Rugs Outdoor Throw Pillow

Highlight Your Favorite Collectibles

Instead of lining them up on a high shelf, keep holiday accents low and close, so their details really show. In each arrangement, create interest by varying the size and scale of the pieces you display.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bring the Outdoors In

Touches of green, in fabrics, decorations, and in live greenery, help create a woodsy atmosphere indoors. A light dusting of “snow” on the tips lends a winter-wonderland atmosphere, and softens the deep natural green to a sugary sage.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

That Very Night a Forest Grew

Make the most of a magical season with whimsical touches in every room: indoor “forests” of real or faux evergreen trees, plush animals, and mythical woodland creatures.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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R. Douglas Home Orion Chair

Trent Austin Design Keene Plaid Wool Throw

Mud Pie Whimsical Holiday Gnomes Table Sitter

The Holiday Aisle Natural Alpine Green Artificial Christmas Tree with Lights

Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Vonda Chevron Pouf Ottoman

Rosecliff Heights Bridgeton Oversized Round Mirror

Wake Up the Bathroom

A miniature wreath and some merry accents will make even the most utilitarian space feel like part of the festivities. Just be sure not to choose anything that could be damaged by water and humidity.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Dried Flowers and Wreaths LLC Boxwood 22-inch Wreath

Transpac Christmas Elegance Merry Christmas Banner

Hallmark Home & Gifts Classic Holiday Mug

The Holiday Aisle Faux Fur Tree Skirt

The Holiday Aisle 7' Natural Alpine Green Artificial Christmas Tree

Brielle Pestemal Striped Turkish Bath Towel

Cook Up a Party

You’ll need your kitchen in good working order to serve up all those hors d’oeuvres, brunches, and hot-cocoa sessions, but you can still work in some cheery touches without crowding your counters with ornaments. An oversized ribbon-rosette gives a basic wreath a richer look; swap out your crocks and casseroles for some rosy red ones, and tuck some fresh greens into the corners.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Chalk it Up

Chalkboard paint is a fun kitchen touch year-round. Take advantage of it at holiday time by writing special notes to guests or showing off your art skills with some seasonal sketching.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Perk Up the Coffee Station

Holiday ceramics and delicious treats will make your morning pick-me-up even more enticing. Make sure you have all the options a guest might want, from decaf coffee choices to multiple sugar substitutes.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Connect With Color

For the boldest effect, choose one main accent color for your holiday decorations, and then repeat it from room to room. Here, the red chairs and cookware pick up the red ornaments, pillows, and other touches from the great room, for a look that’s cohesive and connected.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Go Vertical

Something as simple as a wreath hanging from a window frame, a red apron on a hook, or even a tall cutting board leaning against the wall will help create height in your decorating scheme, providing scale and variety for a more dynamic look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keep Supplies Handy and Organized

Group holiday baking and snack essentials together where you can easily grab them. Matching containers help give a variety of supplies a neater and more organized look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Play With Pattern

For a more personal looking tablescape, try layering two or more patterns. To keep the effect from getting chaotic, stick to a single palette—red and white, for example.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create Contrast

Even the boldest holiday accent color—bright red for example—will look fresh and modern against a white or pale neutral backdrop. Don’t have an all-white space to work with? No worries, just do the opposite: Choose all-white accents to stand out against a more colorful room.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Langley Street Alyssa 25.5-inch Bar Stool

Blu Dot Laika 1-Light Foyer Pendant

Rosdorf Park 24-inch Lighted Pine Wreath

Lark Manor Genesee 3 Piece Kitchen Canister Set

The Holiday Aisle Winter's Plaid Dessert Bowl

Nordic Ware 22.13-inch Tapered Wooden Rolling Pin

Take the Party Outside

If you live in a temperate climate extending your entertaining space onto the patio or deck is a no-brainer.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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OASIQ Coco Stacking Patio Dining Chair

Mercury Row Curnutt Rectangle Dining Table

Darby Home CO. Frosted Norway Pine Artificial Christmas Garland

Lark Manor Genesee 3 Piece Kitchen Canister Set

VHC Brands Marshall Woven Throw

The Holiday Aisle Winter's Plaid Dessert Bowl

Informal and Festive

Make a casual setting feel more festive with colorful serving vessels and low-key natural accents on the table.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keep it Simple

Outdoor entertaining is, practically by definition, relaxed—and it should be for the host as well as the guests. So limit your snacks and drinks to offerings you can easily pile onto trays and carry in and out of the house with ease.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Remember Texture and Warmth

Define the party zone by wrapping railings with snow-sprayed garlands, for a touch of rich texture that easily transitions from day to night with the addition of some twinkling fairy lights. Blankets draped over chair backs add visual softness your guests will appreciate when there’s a nip in the air.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Fancy Up the Firepit

A crackling fire is a natural gathering magnet, so there’s not much you’ll need to do to make this area appealing to guests—but a fun mix of festive pillows will certainly entice them to linger longer.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Florida Seating Madeira Stacking Patio Dining Chair

Brayden Studio Maroney Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillow

Red Vanilla Freshness 4 Piece Place Setting

Brayden Studio Marshal Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillow

VHC Brands Marshall Woven Throw

Imperial Home French Press Coffee Maker

Winterize Summer Furnishings

Give outdoor furnishings a mini-makeover by treating chairs to a soft pillow and a coordinating blanket in fun and festive patterns.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Have Fun with Food

Inside it may be all about elegance, but around the fire there’s nothing quite like a good, old-fashioned s’mores party to put everyone in a cheerful spirit. Pile marshmallows into a sturdy hand-carved bowl, choose napkins in a jaunty red and white stripe, and let guests roast away.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bring the Indoors Out

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when you’re decorating outdoor areas for the holidays. Just use more of what you chose for indoor spaces—you’ll create a coordinated, cohesive look (and won’t drive yourself crazy with too many choices).

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Consider Convenience

As you outfit each entertaining area, think about how your guests will experience the space. Where will they put their coffee cup? Will they get cold? Can they reach the fire easily? Adding thoughtful details like a side table and a warm throw, and picking the perfect chair placement will show how much you care.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make a Scene

Introducing a new color to one or two areas can help create the sense of different zones within an outdoor living space. Here, splashes of fresh green pillows on the chairs and hanging stockings lend focus to a small seating area.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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OASIQ Serac Stainless Steel Coffee Table

Cocoweb 1-Light Outdoor Barn Light

Radionic Hi Tech Briston Adirondack Chair

Peking Handicraft Holiday Stocking in Green

Laurel Foundry Modern Farmhouse Sweater Knit Stocking

Brayden Studio Marrone Indoor/Outdoor Throw Pillow

Hang it Up

Expanses of siding are the perfect opportunity to add seasonal artwork. Best practice: Pick something that’s not strictly “holiday”, so it will feel appropriate throughout the winter months, then switch to a springier selection come March.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Go Deep

Neutrals like gray, black, and, of course, white, will add sophistication and depth to your color palette, preventing holiday brights from looking garish or childish.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Be a Romantic

Luxe touches, from the flicker of towering candles to the softness of faux-fur blankets, brings a magical atmosphere to even the most rustic outdoor entertaining area.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Mercury Row Curnutt Rectangle Dining Table

RAD Furniture Howard Series Stacking Patio Dining Chair

Super Area Rugs Handmade Ivory Area Rug

Darby Home Co. Feel Real Frosted Artic Spruce Pre-Lit Garland

Darby Home CO. Frosted Norway Pine Artificial Christmas Garland

The Holiday Aisle 50 Piece Christmas Ball Ornament Set

Make it Sparkle

Even if you don’t have a shimmering water view from your own deck, you can bring your own sparkle to the party. Clear glass vessels filled with silver and gold ornaments create a gleaming centerpiece that will catch the light of flickering candles as the sun goes down.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keep the Theme Going

Just as you would inside, repeating elements from one seating area to another helps give a large outdoor space a pulled-together look. Here, the green pillow that softened chairs elsewhere lends color and cushy softness to the dining bench.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Filter With Fabric

Sheer weather-resistant fabric can filter sunlight and, in some cases, provide shelter from rain, an addition that makes a dining pergola functional as well as beautiful. Blankets, throws, and layered linens soften hard outdoor edges.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Frame the View

Wrapping railings and supports with garlands of greenery sets the stage for a special experience and defines the view, almost like a frame defines an artwork. Branch-filled vessels and paper-bag luminarias at the ends of the sofas add to the enveloping atmosphere.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Keep it Fresh

Living centerpieces are just the right choice for an outdoor tablescape. Wrap the base of a baby tree in basic burlap or go for something more glam with shimmery gold or silver fabric. After the holidays are over, plant your decor where you will enjoy it for years to come.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create an Outdoor Room

Extending your outdoor décor beyond immediate eye level can help create the illusion of a distinct outdoor room. Consider adding an all-weather rug underfoot, greenery “walls”, and all the welcoming comforts of home: soft pillows, warm blankets, plants, candlelight, fine crystal, and more.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Light the Way

Lining your driveway with light, luminarias like the ones shown above or even a string of large outdoor lights, will create a magical entrance to your holiday home. Hang a few lanterns in the trees for extra glow come dusk.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make Your Own Luminarias

Luminarias, traditional holiday lanterns made from weighted paper bags with a votive candle set inside, are a charming way to light up the night—and set the mood for holiday festivities as soon as guests turn into your driveway. Tip: Use sand to hold the bags in place, and flameless LED tealights in place of wax candles. Holiday-themed bags look special day or night.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make a Grand Entrance

Lighted garlands and wreathes are an easy way to define your doorway and create instant drama. Look for battery-powered faux greenery that you can re-use each year to reduce waste and extension cord hassles.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Flock On

Greenery covered with white “snow”, or flocking, takes your holiday style over the top into winter-wonderland territory, no matter what climate you live in. If you want to apply your own flocking, look artificial spray snow at a craft store or holiday store, and follow the directions on the can carefully.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Vickerman Flocked Snow Ridge Sprays Wreath with Dura-Lit Lights

The Holiday Aisle Merry Christmas Chalkboard Doormat

Darby Home Co. Feel Real Frosted Artic Spruce Pre-Lit Garland

The Holiday Aisle 3.5' Artificial Pine Christmas Tree

Cole & Grey 2-Piece FiberClay Planter Box

The Holiday Aisle Christmas Antlers Doormat

Step Up Style

Give guests a warm welcome—and make it easy to brush snow off their boots—with a cheerful holiday doormat. For best effect, look for a style that coordinates with interior decorations. This one, for example, repeats both the color scheme used indoors and out, and the chalkboard detailing from the kitchen backsplash.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Host a Variety Show

Instead of spraying every tree and garland with faux snow, keep some green while others shimmer on. The contrast between lighted, flocked elements and more natural-looking greenery will show off each to their best effect.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Outline the Eaves

Simple white holiday lights stretched beneath the eaves create a sparkling silhouette once the sun goes down.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Play With Workspaces

Your home work area deserves a little holiday love, too—after all, you’ll probably be spending long hours there wrapping, addressing cards, and getting organized for the holiday onslaught. A glamorous beribboned wreath hung where it’s visible but out of the way is the perfect way to add a little fun to your hardest working spaces.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Be a Wrap Star

Outfitting your workspace with some organizational accessories can make holiday wrapping and decorating much more efficient and enjoyable. Look for easily portable units, so you can move them out of the way when not in use. And don’t forget to stock up on plenty of tape.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

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Honey Can Do Rolling Craft Storage Cart

Richards Homewares Holiday Ornament Organizer

The Holiday Aisle 50 Piece Christmas Ball Ornament Set

The Holiday Aisle Alabaster Standing Deer Figurine

Vickerman Flocked Snow Ridge Sprays Wreath with Dura-Lit Lights

TAG Lodge Snowflake Coir Doormat

Think Small

A few bright bulbs and some fragrant boughs are all it takes to add a cheerful note to any nook or cranny. Before you put your decorating supplies away, scan the surfaces in every room and treat each one to a little seasonal style update.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn