I know what you’re thinking. It’s August. The holidays feel far away.
They’re not. And the homes that look the most spectacular during the season are the ones where someone started thinking about this right now.
After 26 years of designing homes in Sarasota, I’ve watched this pattern play out consistently. The clients who are happiest with their holiday interiors are the ones who made decisions in the summer. The ones who wait until November are working with whatever is left, making rushed choices, and spending more to get less.
The lead time reality
If you want anything custom for the holidays- a wreath designed to complement your entry, garland properly scaled to your staircase, ribbon and trim that actually works with your home’s palette- those pieces take time. Most custom holiday decor runs 6 to 14 weeks from order to delivery.
Thanksgiving delivery means ordering now. Christmas delivery means deciding by September. August is not early. August is on time.
Your home has a palette. Your holiday decor should too.
One of the most common holiday decorating mistakes I see, even in genuinely beautiful homes, is decor that fights with the space it’s in. Red and green in a home built around warm neutrals. Silver and ice blue in a space that reads warm gold and terracotta.
Holiday decorating doesn’t mean abandoning your home’s design identity. It means extending it seasonally. The most stunning holiday interiors are the ones where the decorations feel like they belong, a warmer or more festive version of what’s already there, not a complete departure from it.
Where to focus
- Entry and foyer: one strong moment here sets the tone for everything. A beautiful wreath, the right lighting, a considered arrangement.
- Main living and dining areas: where gathering happens. Palette, candles, and atmosphere come together here.
- The primary staircase: garland is transformative and one of the highest-impact holiday decisions you can make.
- Outdoor spaces: in Sarasota, holiday lighting on a lanai or around a pool is spectacular and consistently underutilized.
What to decide right now
- What’s your palette this year? Warm and rich (burgundy, gold, forest green)? Soft and sophisticated (ivory, champagne, sage)?
- Which two or three spaces do you most want to transform?
- Do you need anything custom: a specific wreath, garland in a particular length, ribbon in a color that actually matches your home?
A note on Sarasota specifically
Our holiday season looks different here. The weather is warm. The aesthetic leans light and airy even in December. Many clients are entertaining guests from the northeast who expect to feel the warmth of the season in a subtropical setting.
The homes that do this best are thoughtful about context. Florals that hold up in Florida warmth. Lighting that feels festive without being heavy. Textures that are lush but breathable. It’s a different design challenge from a New England farmhouse at Christmas, and it’s one worth thinking about intentionally.
If you’re ready to start planning the perfect holiday look and feel for your family, your guests, or simply your own joy — get in touch with us today!
