Julia Louis-Dreyfus embraces the monochromatic Christmas trees in The White House – the simple, eye-catching decor is deceivingly festive
Red and green are classic Christmas colors, but they get a new design in the Veep actress's Instagram post from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue


Every year, The White House Christmas decor acts as an inspiration to the entire country. From the Kennedys' Nutcracker-themed Christmas to the Obamas' blue and yellow tree, the home is the blueprint for stylish Christmas decorations across the country. Clearly, even high-profile celebrities like Julia Louis-Dreyfus can't help but love the look.
The Veep actress took to Instagram to share a photo with her husband, Brad Hall, posed in front of one of the Bidens' Christmas trees. Though we traditionally think of a festive or nostalgic tree as full of different colors, Louis-Dreyfus's favorite White House tree does it all in one shade. The simple but seasonal look features clusters of red ball-shaped ornaments, thick red ribbons, and white holiday lights.
What works so well about this stately Christmas decor? First, the choice of red ornaments and red ribbons creates a traditional Christmas color scheme against the green of the evergreen boughs. There is nothing more Christmassy than red and green together, so this combination creates an instantly festive atmosphere. Beyond the tree itself, this red adornment has been chosen to perfectly contrast and enhance the striking yellow walls in the room.
A post shared by Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@officialjld)
A photo posted by on
Luxe velvet
Bows have been trending for the last two years, but this long red version is a timeless classic. Its velvet texture is a perfect contrast to the leaves of a tree.
A best-seller on Amazon (and deserving of glowing reviews), it's hard to go wrong with these lights this Christmas. If you are shopping for a larger tree, the strands are connectable, so you can have a harmonious glowing light throughout your branches.
Bring a pop of red to the top of your tree with this stylish, glittery star topper. It's easy to use and will last year over year.
To recreate this look, start by investing in a variety of red decorations to add to your tree. For a traditional look like this, red holiday ornaments are the best place to start. Warm, yellow lights choose . Ribbons can also be used to enhance the design. Interior stylist Gisela Graham recommends: 'Bows are big news this year, so why not buy a few rolls of ribbon and tie some to your tree for an on-trend finishing touch?'
If your tree is looking a little skimpy with just one color, there are easy ways to help it feel fuller and more decorated. Graham suggests: 'A stylist's hack to make your tree look fuller is to add clip-on foliage and picks of berries and leaves.' Adding more than one string of lights for a more lit, enchanting design works similarly.
Who says decorating with just one color needs to be boring? The White House, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus in turn, prove that it can be festive and inviting.
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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.
In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.
Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.