About a month ago, I got the opportunity to speak with Roberson Keffer, Vice President Fashion Director for Macy’s Home, I wanted to get his take on how to decorate the home for the holidays.

Mr. Roberson creates the direction of how people live their lives through aesthetic and personalization. He teaches us that home decor should tell a narrative about yourself and that what you select for your home celebrates you as an indiviudal.

I got to ask him a couple of questions about making the home more inviting during the holidays. I was so grateful that he took the time out to speak with me.

During the holidays what is the one piece of home decor you should invest in?

Mr. Roberson suggests that greenery can be used in a number of ways and a great investment. If you get a garland wreath to hang outside. He also suggest drapping the garland around the mantle.

From the picture above you can see how the garland brightens up the space and gives it a whole new look. A pretty garland on the fireplace mantel is such a classic look.

What are the best colors to highlight a small space?

As we know living in a big city, sometimes we are limited on space. I was curious on how Mr. Roberson felt we could take advantage of a small space. He suggested using green and reds. That by using these shiny and bright colors you would be able to make a statement. It creates drama and makes a space that we think is small glamorous. Use small, red accessories to add to the Christmas theme. Candy canes in a decorative bowl, fun holiday cards lining the mantle, cozy throw pillows and fluffy blankets draped on the sofa, all create a cozy, Christmas atmosphere and add pops of colors. Mix this with some voluminous greenery and you’ve created an easy, holiday-decorated home.

If you’ve already got a red base to work from, then make sure to add the right amount of greens to the mix. The Christmas tree in the living room, a green tablecloth in the dining room or some green blankets in the bedroom will all help reduce the brashness of a red room and  create a more festive look. Add some candles to reduce harsh lighting and make everything a bit more romantic and subtle.

If you have a budget what is one room you would highlight?

Mr. Roberson stated the living room. This is the place that you and your family, friends and guests will spend most of their time during the holidays. For this reason, you need to make sure that your living room is always at its best. When you have an occasion or during the holidays, there is, even more, a need to decorate the house. The decorations that you have in your home set the overall pace for all the holiday or the occasion that you are holding.

Ideally, the decorations that you use in your house set the pace of the mood to be in the house. However, as much as the ornaments help your house look good, overdoing it ends up causing more harm than good. For this reason, when looking for decorations to use in your home, try your best and keep the decorations simple. This not only improves the look of the house but also help you save on the money that you use on decorations. Therefore, keeping simple should be key when making your decorations.

Decorations are an essential aspect of any occasion that you hold since they set the pace and mood of the event.

Most important piece to have in your kitchen.

The answer to this question, was no surprise. The KitchenAid Stand Mixer. This is a piece that you are going to use for years. These mixers hold up and can do so much more these days that mix dough. This should be your first investment in your kitchen.

What are a few ways to upgraad your bathroom during the holidays?

The bathroom is a small space, but one that everyone in the house will no doubt spend time in, so there is no reason to forget it when you’re decorating. There are many, surprisingly easy ways to decorate your bathroom this holiday season. With just a few flourishes, the bathroom can become just as festive as the rest of the house.

An easy way to update your bathroom for the holidays is to change out your linens. If you don’t want to go for the obvious hand towels embroidered with Santa and snowmen, consider switching to holiday colors. Red and green are easy, but also consider a combination of icy blues and silvery greys for a more modern feel. Swapping out your bath mat for one that’s a bit more festive too can help pull the room together.

Apothecary jars or even Mason jars filled with colorful ball ornaments, vintage bulbs, bows, pinecones, or even peppermint candies are an easy way to make a big impact. You can also use evergreen branches to add height and texture to these arrangements. Your arrangements can be as formal or casual as you like, based on your fillings and placement. Balanced positioning in even numbers, such as a jar on either side of a mirror, will look formal, while groupings of odd numbers of jars will give a more whimsical, relaxed feel

Decorating doesn’t have to be limited to what you see. Scented soaps in warm, welcoming flavors add to holiday ambiance even if you don’t put them in a themed dish. There are plenty of ready-made scents available, or you can make your own special blend, combining essential oils. A few drops of a wintry smelling essential oil on the inside cardboard of a toilet paper roll will emit the aroma every time it is used. Remember, holiday scents aren’t limited to the traditional peppermint and evergreen. Spicy notes like clove and cinnamon bring about thoughts of gingerbread cookies and snowy days.

I am so grateful to Mr. Roberson for sharing these tips with us. Happy Holidays.