Preppy style isn't just for fashion. In recent years, the elegant Americana style has infiltrated our interiors, through the popularity of stripes, wicker, and tartan. With the uptick in searches for 'Ralph Lauren Christmas' and 'Traditional Christmas' decor, it's clear that preppy aesthetics are now spreading to our holiday decorations.
Need inspiration? Look no further than Nina Dobrev's 2022 Christmas tree idea. The actress took to Instagram to share her beautiful evergreen and it's cloaked in a quintessentially preppy color palette: red and blue. Though sometimes controversial, the seemingly opposing shades are a match made in heaven. On Nina's tree, they collide especially strikingly with a combination of blue lights with red, silver, and gold ornaments. A gorgeous tree skirt (similar to this ruffled style from Wayfair) completes the look.
It's absoltely gorgeous, and easier to recreate the actress's Christmas decor than you might think. Homes & Gardens spoke with design experts to get to the bottom of the best ways to tap into preppy style this season, and create a look as beautiful as Nina's. Let's explore.
Recreate Nina's Look at Home
Reminiscent of lanterns, these paper ornaments are effortlessly elegant and give the tree a real festive nostalgia. The fluted texture is the perfect contrast to more traditional glass.
No tree is complete without some classic glass baubles. These vintage ball ornaments are just like Natalia's; they're perfect for catching the light and giving your tree a familiar feel.
These stunning blue lights are the perfect pairing with red ornaments. They can be paired with different strands for a multi-colored look.
It's like an abstract floral arrangement, but made from tinsel – this 3-tip spray is a fresh and modern way to add tinsel to your home. Drop it in a large flower vase and place it on any tabletop surface to make any corner of your home shimmer in style.
These silver ornaments feature a mix of sparkly and matte finishes, offering a modern way to add metallic shine to your holiday decor. The varied textures create visual interest and catch the light differently, giving your tree a stylish, dynamic look.
This ornament doubles as a keepsake and a brilliant gift. Add a favorite family photo, and suddenly your tree tells a story. I love the idea of collecting a few of these over the years to create a memory-filled ornament collection that grows with you.
Making preppy style chic comes down to mixing the more over-the-top elements of the style with minimal pieces. Alex Bridgman, CEO of Bridgman, explains: 'The preppy trend, while rooted in classic Americana, offers fantastic opportunities to introduce a touch of modern glamor. To elevate the look, consider incorporating a neutral color palette.'
He advises: 'The key is to balance the traditional preppy elements with contemporary pieces and high-quality materials, creating a space that feels both timeless and stylish – a space that whispers rather than shouts elegance.' The result is a space that feels immediately preppy and modern, just like Nina Dobrev's Christmas tree.
The combination of classic styles and modern elements makes interior design (and Christmas decor) immediately simple. When you lean into the color palettes that you love, even if they are controversial, the true magic happens.
