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Tips from a professional designer on decorating for the holidays

Less is more this year.

Holiday parties are in full swing. And whether you’re hosting your family, colleagues or friends, you want your house to look like a tasteful holiday dream come true.

Christy Berry, a founding partner of Compass in Dallas, knows a thing or two about interior decor, both as a top agent in luxury homes and as a mother-in-law to interior designer Amy Berry.

Here’s what Berry recommends for your holiday party this year.

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What trends are dominating holiday decor this year?

Think pink when you're looking for something with more personality than a conventional...
Think pink when you're looking for something with more personality than a conventional Christmas tree.(Christy Berry)

“With everything from gold to sequins and stones, this year’s trends are as feminine as they are fete-focused. Sparkles are everywhere, and for good reason — it’s never not a good time to celebrate with a little glitz and glam. My favorite this season is an all-pink tree, courtesy of Karla McKinley. She’s been a tastemaker for the 30 years I’ve known her.

“Also, when is there ever a good reason not to use white Christmas lights? Twinkling tablescapes have always been an entertaining essential.”

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What’s the best way to store holiday decor the rest of the year?

“I've never been one to take a liking to artificial trees — especially since we don't get much snow or many evergreens here in the south — so storing the tree has never been part of the process for me. Ornaments are another question, though.

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“Many of them have come from my grandmother and were passed down through generations. They're pretty special to me. My go-to has always been using some tissue and divided boxes (plastic or otherwise) to keep them organized and prevent breakage. Wrapping lights around cardboard has always been another life-saver if you use color.”

Where do you find inspiration when it comes to holiday decor?

I start with getting inspiration from Elle Decor or Architectural Digest. Creativity kicks in when I can see something visual and Instagram is a good place to start. Alice Naylor-Leyland (@mrsalice) just launched a new line of tablescapes for purchase and I couldn’t recommend them more if you’re in a pinch or need a place to start. From nutcrackers to dinner plates, her style is surreal, and every guest will be ‘oohing’ and ‘ahhing’ over it.”

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What’s the No. 1 consideration when decorating this holiday?

“Less is more. As we continue to see home and design trends focused on minimalism, I'd recommend cutting back and honing in on simplicity with a little spunk.

What are the most impressive examples of holiday decor you’ve seen this year?

A simple mantle is the way to go when holiday decorating in 2019.
A simple mantle is the way to go when holiday decorating in 2019.(Christy Berry)

“Color seems to be everywhere this Christmas, and I love it! Flocking the tree — a trend I grew up with that quickly went out of style — seems to be back. One of my dearest friends decided to flock her tree pink this year, and the result is astonishing. She mixed in the customary red, green and white, but the flocked pink tree with the orange undertones is very sophisticated and warm.

“A lot of the traditional bows in trees, as well as tinsel, is trending out. Multicolored lights are back. Another trend I am seeing in all the houses I have visited this season is ‘less is more.’ A simple live garland hung on the mantle, adorned with simple mercury balls, is so elegant.”