We're Dreaming of a Preppy Christmas – Nina Dobrev's Tree Uses a Controversial Color Palette to Capture Classic Americana Style

Red and blue are rarely seen together, but can be one of the most striking combinations - the actor's Christmas tree shows why, and how to recreate it

nina dobrev from getty images
(Image credit: E! Entertainment / Contributor via Getty Images)

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.

Recreate Nina's Look at Home

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.


Sophie Edwards
News Editor

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.

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