Recently, it's been hard to imagine that gray was ever the epitome of chic. Since character has reigned supreme in the design world, neutrals have taken a bit of a backseat. But, despite big and bold shades becoming the new standard, neutrals are still a classic, timeless choice – even if more playful shades have stolen the limelight a little.

And if one person can confirm this, it's interior designer Shea McGee. Known for her warm, layered, and time-evolved schemes, she's no beginner when it comes to decorating with liveable neutral tones. In fact, Shea says there's always a time and place for neutrals, and she will continue to use them in 2026 and beyond, even if current color trends favor more striking hues.

But it's not just warm beiges and creams (stay tuned for Shea's all-time favorites) that the interior designer is embracing this year. From the powder blue color trend to rich moody browns, in 2026, Shea McGee is open to the unexpected, too.

Shea McGee's Favourite Neutral Paints

While decorating with neutrals might look a little different in 2026, Shea swears by the classics. From creams to off-whites to Shea, nothing beats a clean, crisp base with layers of lived-in character.

'My all-time favorite is Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore,' she says. 'It's a creamy white that makes the perfect quiet backdrop, so your collected furniture, accessories, and artwork get to be the things you actually notice. It's just as good on an exterior or on cabinetry.' Landing on the best cream paint can be tough; you want just the right amount of yellow without it feeling too warm. Shea's favorite, which is also the brand's best-selling neutral, balances the two.

'I'm going to cheat and give you a second favorite too, because I can't not mention Natural Cream by Benjamin Moore,' she continues. 'It's that rare not-gray, not-beige neutral, and it works everywhere: trim, cabinetry, walls. I have it on the ceilings in both my great room (pictured above) and my bedroom, and I've used it in more projects than I can count.'

Bolder Color Trends on Shea's Radar

But it's not just creams and whites that Shea is embracing this year; there are a few unexpected shades in the mix too. Namely, powder room. While the blue isn't exactly a neutral, it retains a balance between vibrant and muted.

A playful blue paint brings whimsy to a recent laundry room (pictured above) designed by Shea. A clever paint choice that quietly elevates the mundane task of doing laundry, it brings heritage charm and nostalgia into a practical, hard-working room.

'Right now I'm loving all things powdery blue. What I love about the color is that it still plays beautifully with warm tones,' she explains, 'so it doesn't have to tip into feeling cold. I recently switched my bedding to this color and have used variations of the color in recent projects.'

'I do lean neutral, but I'm not afraid of color,' Shea says. When introducing punchier hues, it's always wise to start in a small room, and if you really love it, then proceed to use it in other areas of the home. 'I just like to give it a room of its own. A powder bathroom or a bedroom is the perfect place to commit, because it's contained and a little unexpected when someone walks in.'

'I also tend to reach for a more muted version of whatever I'm drawn to,' she adds. Chocolate browns, deep burgundies, and olive greens have the power to feel cocooning yet equally as grounding when styled right. 'Even a color as rich as merlot feels more livable when it's dialed back a notch, so it reads collected rather than loud.'

Shop Shea's Favorite Color Schemes

Shea McGee, admittedly, will always gravitate towards neutrals for grounding her schemes, but powder blues and rich wine reds are firmly on her radar too. Both these colors can work wonderfully as part of a neutral scheme, so if you are looking to dip your toe in some of this year's biggest color trends, they are a good place to start.

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Summer may have only just begun, but as a cold-weather-devoted, fall foliage-loving, and pumpkin spice-obsessed kind of girl, I've always got autumn on my mind. Clearly, so does Shea McGee, as she's (very quietly) just released her brand new fall collection with Target.

One glance at this range and you'll feel transported to a crisp October day at home. Soft neutrals and deep jewel tones set the collection's mood, while heritage florals, muted metallics, and dark marble details establish its luxe undertone. There's an 'old-money'-inspired aesthetic that radiates through the collection, too, with elevated decor details that'll make your home feel regal and sophisticated yet undeniably cozy.

If the collection is any indication of design trends to come, then I'm confident that we're in for a treat this fall. Expect passementerie touches like tassels and fringe to become more prominent, twisted wood and metal details to maintain their popularity, and floral motifs to get a richer, more tradition-inspired update. This collection has it all, and it's everything you need to make your home feel trend-led yet timeless this autumn.

This collection is brimming with fresh home styling pieces that'll elevate your space in subtle fall hues and prints. Think decorative picture frames (like this gorgeous metal and marble pick), refined and tactile pillows (I'm obsessed with this knit bolster-style throw), and elegant, laurel wreath-inspired vases (this tall vase looks so regal).

As for furniture, you'll find everything from cozy yet elegant accent chairs (like this floral-printed model that'll become your living room's statement piece) to smart storage ideas that make multi-purpose furniture look more polished than ever before (check out the Burl Wood Upholstered Storage Ottoman – it's a sure sell-out).

Though this is a fall collection, it would look timeless all year round, ideally pieces for designing a home that never dates. If you're eager to shop the elegant and refined picks from Shea's latest drop, then find our favorites, below.

Shop Studio McGee's Fall Collection at Target

One thing to note about Shea McGee's Target drops – they sell out quick. Some of the stand-out pieces are already out of stock, so if you see something you like, don't wait until the leaves start to turn to pick it up.

And if decorating for fall hasn't even crossed your mind yet and you are looking for chic pieces to update your summer table, then allow me to draw your attention to the Amalfi tableware line that Shea McGee just released at McGee & Co. This lemon-themed launch is sure to enhance summer tablescapes with fun, festive, and fruity flair.

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If Nancy Meyers ever swapped the Hamptons for Arizona, I'd imagine her house would look something like this. East Coast tradition isn't usually associated with desert living, but Shea McGee's latest project proves the pairing makes perfect sense.

While one conjures images of traditional architecture, tailored upholstery, and heirloom-inspired details, the other brings to mind sun-baked tones, natural textures, and a connection to the landscape. Yet when the two come together, under the expert eye of Studio McGee, the result feels both timeless and surprisingly fresh.

That's exactly what happened when Shea unveiled Studio McGee's new home in Arizona. In the recently completed home, Shea and her team blended classic East Coast influences with warm hues, layered materials, and the kind of indoor-outdoor living most of us can only dream about.

Designed to age gracefully rather than chase trends, the result is what Shea describes as having 'East Coast bones and a desert soul' – and after seeing the project, it's a decorating formula I'm convinced deserves far more attention.

The beauty of the aesthetic is that it's less about following a particular interior design style and more about layering the right ingredients. 'East Coast bones, desert soul' is all about contrast. Think warm wood furniture, skirted accent chairs, vintage deco, and blue-and-white ceramics alongside woven textures, aged woods, earthy greens, and collected vintage-inspired details. It's polished, but never precious.

Fortunately, recreating the look doesn't require a custom-built home in Arizona. McGee & Co.'s own collections are an obvious starting point, but brands like Magnolia, Serena & Lily, Lulu and Georgia, and of course, Target's Threshold designed w/ Studio McGee collection, all tap into the same timeless-meets-relaxed mood. From rustic plate racks to house Grandma's collection to tapestries to make an impression in your entry, these are the pieces that help a room feel layered, lived-in, and look just as good a decade from now. Just as Shea intended.

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Designing a new-build home comes with a unique challenge: how do you create a sense of history in a place that has none? For Studio McGee founder Shea McGee, the answer wasn't to imitate age, but to design for it. In Arizona, just outside Phoenix, Shea created a family home that feels layered with character from the moment you step inside. Natural materials, patinated details, vintage finds, and custom craftsmanship all work together to give the house a warmth that belies its brand-new status.

'When you're working with a new build, you get to write the history,' says Shea. 'We wanted this home to feel like it had already been lived in, even on day one.' Inspired by the colors of the Sonoran Desert and shaped by the homeowners' East Coast roots, the result is a house design that balances timelessness with relaxed family living – a home designed, in Shea's words, to look even better in 20 years than it does today.

For Shea, creating a timeless home isn't about trends but about designing for longevity. Because Studio McGee joined the project from its earliest stages, the team was able to influence everything from the architecture and floor plan to the way light moves through the house. Rather than simply decorating completed rooms, they helped shape the experience of living in them.

The setting played a key role. 'The landscape was our starting point,' Shea explains. 'The palette came directly from the environment: warm ochres, soft terracottas, that subtle desert sage. The wide windows were designed to frame the views – we never wanted you to forget where you were.' The result is a home that feels deeply connected to its surroundings without ever feeling cliched. 'People often default to a very specific aesthetic when they design in Arizona,' says Shea. 'But there are so many other ways to respond to this landscape. Texture, material, silhouette. You don't have to announce that you're in the desert; you can just let the land lead.'

Yet the project wasn't shaped solely by its roots. One of the homeowners grew up on the East Coast, and 'she brought that sensibility with her,' says Shea. It was this combination that ultimately gave the home its identity. As Shea puts it, 'it's a home with East Coast bones and a desert soul.'

The approach reflects her 'New Heritage' philosophy – interiors rooted in tradition but designed for modern family life, as Shea describes it. Classic architecture and traditional proportions are layered with earthy materials that will only become more beautiful over time. 'Nothing trendy. Nothing that's going to feel dated in five years.'

'We chose materials and made decisions we knew would age beautifully and develop patina over time,' she adds, noting the hand-drawn parquet floors in the entry – 'You can't half-commit to an entry. We went all in' – the unlacquered brass fixtures in the kitchen, and the vintage finds throughout the home. 'Those are the things that will look better in twenty years than they do today.'

'We sourced things that brought soul to a new build, including a runner in the butler's pantry, a wall hanging tapestry in the entry, woven textiles, and pieces with age and patina,' Shea continues. 'That layering of things collected over time is what gives a new build soul.'

While the palette and mood were shaped by the landscape, the wooden kitchen was defined by the family who would use it. Designed as both a gathering spot and a hardworking hub, the room strikes a balance between being beautiful enough to wow but practical enough to withstand the realities of family life. At its center sits a custom island measuring more than 13 feet long, conceived as a piece of furniture with an open base that displays the family's collections. Opposite, a Lacanche range dominates the wall, while zellige tile, marble countertops, and unlacquered brass fixtures introduce the texture and patina found throughout the rest of the house. 'The vision was for the kitchen to feel like it belonged in the home, not like a kitchen that happened to be installed there,' says Shea. 'There's a difference, and you feel it.'

Yet for all its carefully considered details, one of the room's defining features came directly from the homeowners themselves. The client had a single request: a sink under a window opening directly to the backyard. 'They plan to host a lot in this home, and she understood instinctively that design should serve how you actually live,' says Shea. 'That window changes the whole feel of the kitchen. You're never cut off from the outdoor space. The inside and outside breathe together.' Supporting the heart of the home is an equally thoughtful butler's pantry concealed behind the main kitchen, where porcelain countertops, open shelving, and a vintage runner allow the practical work of daily life to happen out of sight.

For all its thoughtful detailing and careful layering, this was never intended to be a show home. From the outset, the clients – a family with four children and a love of entertaining – wanted a house that felt 'elevated but never stiff.' That balance informed everything from the layout of the main living spaces to the smaller decisions that make daily life run more smoothly. 'The brief was really about family: spaces that could handle real life, but also felt intentional and considered at every turn,' says Shea.

That idea is perhaps most evident in the spaces designed purely for enjoyment. The games room, complete with tongue-and-groove paneling, oversized woven pendants, pool and shuffleboard tables, was imagined as a place where the family could gather, entertain, and make noise without worrying about perfection. 'It's a room that wants to be used loudly,' she notes. 'The gallery wall even has skate decks on it because one of the kids skates. That's the kind of detail that makes a room actually belong to the family.' Elsewhere, practicality is elevated rather than hidden away. The laundry room pairs reclaimed stone floors and soapstone countertops and boasts two washers and two dryers. 'Even utility spaces got the same level of attention. That's always the goal,' she adds.

Throughout the home, Studio McGee looked for opportunities to layer in pieces with meaning and history, introducing a sense of age that new construction often struggles to achieve. Some of those details are immediately visible, such as the custom parquet floor that greets visitors in the intimate entryway. 'You genuinely don't need a rug in here; the floor IS the rug. From there, you move through leaded glass windows into the great room, and the scale opens up completely. I love a house that makes you slow down before revealing itself,' says Shea. Together, this establishes the tone for everything that follows.

Many of the most meaningful details, however, are easy to miss. In the kitchen, heirloom plates once belonging to the client's grandmother are displayed on custom plate racks, woven naturally into the kitchen rather than preserved behind glass. Elsewhere, a piece of the grandmother's needlepoint hangs in the primary bathroom. 'You could come through this house and never notice either of them,' Shea explains. 'But the family will notice them every single day, and that's the whole point.' Even the blue herringbone stone lining the fireplace in the great room speaks to the studio's belief in details that need closer attention. These are not elements that command attention, but they are the ones that linger longest.

The butler's pantry – or 'back kitchen' – may sit discreetly behind the kitchen, but hidden as it may be, it is one of Shea's favorite spaces in the home. 'I know that might seem like a surprising answer, but the butler's pantry is where the philosophy of this entire home lives,' she explains. Designed with porcelain countertops, antique brass hardware, tile extending to the ceiling, open shelving, and a vintage runner underfoot, the room balances utility with beauty in a way that feels distinctly 'McGee'. 'It exists almost entirely behind a door. Nobody sees it except the family and whoever's close enough to be back there,' she adds.

Although the kitchen may be the home's natural gathering place, the adjoining dining area plays an equally important role in the flow of everyday life. Positioned between the kitchen and great room, it acts as a transition between cooking, entertaining, and relaxing, while maintaining the openness that defines the home's layout. Framed by floor-to-ceiling drapery and generous windows, the space is filled with natural light throughout the day. 'Window placement was everything,' Shea explains. 'We designed wide windows specifically to frame the landscape like living art. They're not incidental, they're deliberate. In the Arizona desert, you're managing the sun as much as welcoming it.'

After the openness and activity of the home's entertaining spaces, the primary suite offers a quieter note. 'It's calm. It does what a primary bedroom should do,' says Shea. While the room shares the same warm palette and natural materials found throughout the house, it feels noticeably more restrained. 'The freshness comes from restraint, from not doing too much,' she notes. 'The palette is warm and tonal, pulled directly from the desert. The handwoven textiles add warmth without the weight.' Marble-top nightstands sit alongside collected decorative pieces, while the McGee & Co. Clemence settee at the foot of the bed provides both function and elegance.

The primary bathroom pairs traditional design with natural materials chosen for their longevity and warmth. Arabescato Calacatta marble wraps the floors, countertops, and shower enclosure, creating a sense of quiet luxury, while a vaulted ceiling introduces texture overhead. 'The ceiling gets tongue and groove, which adds warmth to all that stone,' Shea explains. 'The vanity is color-matched to the trim throughout the house, and the shower door is powder-coated to match. Tucked in just the right spot is the client's grandmother's needlepoint – that's the piece that makes the room personal,' she adds.

Perhaps nowhere is the family's personality more evident than in the children's bedrooms. Rather than following a single decorative scheme throughout, Studio McGee approached each room as an individual reflection of the child who would inhabit it. One bedroom features framed drumsticks and a vintage map of Paris for a music-loving son, while another embraces a softer palette with a scalloped headboard for a Taylor Swift fan. Elsewhere, cowboy influences, a gallery wall of meaningful collections, and Morris & Co. wallpaper bring character and individuality to such playful spaces.

'Morris and Co. wallpaper in Lou's room is probably the boldest pattern statement in the house, and even that is rooted in heritage. It belongs,' she continues. For Shea, these rooms represent the most personal side of the project. 'The best projects come from clients who trust you but also bring their own personality to the table,' she says. The children's spaces became a natural extension of that collaboration. 'Those rooms are the most joyful spaces in this house,' Shea adds. 'Every one of them could only belong to exactly that child.'

One of the clearest indicators of a thoughtfully designed home is how much care is given to the rooms visitors rarely see. Rather than treating the laundry and mudroom as purely functional spaces, Studio McGee approached them with the same attention to detail found throughout the rest of the house. Tongue-and-groove wall paneling, soapstone countertops, custom cabinetry, and reclaimed stone flooring elevate the everyday rituals, while generous storage ensures the spaces work hard behind the scenes – 'and two washers and two dryers, because this family is serious.'

While the interiors are rich with texture and personal details, the landscape was the true starting point for this home. The clients envisioned a house that could comfortably accommodate family life and frequent entertaining, and the outdoor areas play an important role in achieving that. 'The deep overhangs aren't just beautiful, they're functional,' Shea explains. 'They invite you to actually use the outdoor spaces, which in Arizona is everything.' The pool sits at the heart of the backyard, extending the home's entertaining spaces beyond its walls.

Despite its scale, the home never feels stark. Instead, every decision appears rooted in the needs of the family that lives here. For Shea, that was always the ultimate goal. 'At home. Not impressed: at home. There's a difference,' she says when asked how she hopes visitors feel when they walk through the front door. 'I want people to walk in and feel the warmth of the materials, feel the care that went into every decision, and feel like this house was made for exactly the family that lives here. More than anything, I just want this home to feel like somewhere you could exhale,' says Shea.

When asked to describe this home in just three words, Shea's answer is simple: 'Rooted. Personal. Earned.' Sure, this may be a brand-new build, but through thoughtful design, meaningful details, and a deep connection to the surroundings, Studio McGee has created a house that already feels as though it has a story to tell – even on day one.

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Forget the strawberries, the blueberries, and even the tomatoes. It's a lemon-girl summer, according to Shea McGee, whose latest drop at McGee & Co. is packed with pieces in this zesty motif.

Dubbed the Amalfi Collection, this table decor range is vibrant and refreshing by design, inspired by Shea's trips to the Italian Coast. Within it, you'll find lemons – the quintessential Italian summertime motif – in every form, from lemon-shaped candles and lemon-painted platters to bowls with lemon forms affixed and faux lemon branches. No longer are lemons just a garnish – Shea's made them the stars of the show on summer tablescapes.

Though lemons are the central theme of this collection, Shea's incorporated other summer table decor ideas in this range, too. Think floral motifs, shell-shapes, gingham prints, and stripe patterns – all details that complement the vivacious yellow lemons and tap into the warm and inviting nature of the Mediterranean decor aesthetic.

This collection embodies the liveliness and playful nature of the summer, and it can make your tablescape sing with seasonal charm. Designed specifically for summertime hosting, these pieces can make your table feel like it belongs at a seaside bed and breakfast in Positano – even if you live in the suburbs of New Jersey.

If you're eager to try tablescaping the Italian way, find the highlights from Shea McGee's Amalfi Collection below.

Shop McGee & Co.'s Amalfi Collection

These pieces from Shea McGee's Amalfi Collection can bring energy and vibrance to your summer tablescape, all thanks to the zesty lemon motif. But in order to balance out the boldness, consider pairing these lemon-inspired pieces with sleek silver tableware – a trend we know will be part of every tablescape this summer.

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Everything's better with a monogram. Towels? More luxurious. Cocktail napkins? More impressive. Shams? Don’t even get me started. It’s a very old-money way of communicating, ‘I care, I’m fancy, I’m considered,’ but because it manifests as delicate embroidery, it never feels like showing off. Instead, it suggests the sort of person who polishes their silver and sends handwritten thank-you notes.

Which is why it’s so shocking that some highly thoughtful Shea McGee devotees may not know about The Monogram Studio.

Available across some of her best-selling essentials, Shea's somewhat-secret service lets you add custom initials to everything from plaid pillow covers (a gentle reminder of whose house this is) to breezy bath linens (the chicest bathroom upgrade per dollar) to table linens (for a very 'Ralph Lauren' dinner party).

And it actually doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. For an additional $15, nearly every item becomes bespoke, joining a long lineage of namesake linens and embroidered heirlooms that some of the most design-literate homemakers (Martha Stewart, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Marie Antoinette – no big deal) have been passing down for generations.

Whether you’re shopping for a wedding registry, a first-home gift, or simply looking to make the everyday feel a little more timeless, Shea’s if-you-know-you-know studio stands as a reminder that the details people remember are rarely the biggest.

Shop every item we’re tempted to stitch ‘H&G’ on immediately.

Heritage homes almost always have a monogram or two, but it's a trick we can borrow even if our homes aren't all that old. If you're committed to the look, Shea McGee’s recent collaboration with Kohler brings a similarly inherited-looking quality to the bathroom through a collection of refreshingly anti-trend fixtures.

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With 25,000 square feet to play with, this Utah home surrounded by mountains could easily have felt imposing. Instead, it feels remarkably intimate.

Designed by Studio McGee in collaboration with architect Colton Broadbent of Broadbent Architectural Studio, the newly completed home was created for a family of nine who wanted something timeless yet deeply personal – a house design for gathering, creativity, and connection rather than vast scale.

Yes, there are soaring ceilings, dramatic steel-framed windows, and impressive views of the Provo foothills beyond. But there are also craft rooms, music spaces, a bowling alley, and one very charming striped playroom disguised as a tent.

Ahead of the full reveal, Shea and Colton take Homes & Gardens on an exclusive first look round.

Homes & Gardens: The landscape seems to play as much of a role as the architecture itself. How did the setting shape the home's story?

Shea McGee: The clients had a clear vision – a legacy home for their family of nine, anchored by a classical European aesthetic and built to feel as though it had always been there. The setting shaped almost every decision.

The warm, brick-cut stone on the exterior was selected to settle the home into its surroundings; the steel windows pull the mountain views inside; the entry hall was intentionally framed so that the moment you walk through the front door, the landscape opens straight through to the backyard. This was never meant to be a home imposed on the site. It was meant to belong to it.

Colton Broadbent: From the outset, Jason [the homeowner and Crumbl Cookies founder] wasn’t simply interested in building a home; he was interested in creating a story. He often spoke about wanting a place that captured the essence of his childhood.

The site itself played a significant role in shaping the architecture. The mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, but there was never a desire for the house to compete with the landscape. Instead, we wanted it to feel as though it had gradually found its place there over time. The architecture draws on familiar, time-tested forms, but it is composed in a way that feels fresh and tailored to the family.

One of the central challenges was accommodating an ambitious program without allowing the home to feel oversized or overly formal. Homes of this scale can easily become a collection of features. Our goal was to create something more enduring.

Homes & Gardens: This project pivoted during the design process. How did that shift ultimately shape the final design?

Colton Broadbent: One of the things I love most about residential architecture is that the project you begin is rarely the project you finish. The design process has a way of revealing priorities that aren’t always obvious at the outset. Not only to us as designers, but often to the clients themselves.

When we first began exploring this home, the architectural language leaned somewhat more contemporary. As our conversations with Jason and his wife, Whitney, deepened, however, it became clear that what they were ultimately seeking wasn’t a particular style; it was a feeling.

As that became clearer, the architecture naturally evolved. Rather than asking, 'How can this be different?' we found ourselves asking, 'How can this feel lasting?' That shift ended up influencing almost every major decision that followed.

The final home feels richer because of that journey. The collaboration with Studio McGee and Northland Design was instrumental in that outcome. The architecture established the framework, but the interiors and landscape expanded the narrative, adding texture, depth, and continuity that extend well beyond the walls of the home.

Shea McGee: Every project of this depth has a pivot, and ours came with the dining room. It was originally imagined as a glass-lined pavilion gently set over water – an outdoor room.

As the design evolved and the family’s needs shifted, the pavilion was enclosed in glass and embraced within the home’s more traditional architecture.

The illusion remains. The room still feels as though it’s floating, with the water carrying out beneath the house and through to a cascade beyond. That single decision created some of the most layered views in the home – moments where you can look through one space and discover another. It also shaped the way we thought about the rest of the floor plan: as a collection of spaces revealed gradually, rather than taken in all at once.

Homes & Gardens: Despite the scale of this property, it's surprisingly cozy. How did you approach creating that sense of intimacy?

Shea McGee: A home this size could easily feel grand to the point of being impersonal, so we worked very carefully to bring that feeling down through layering, pattern mixing, cottage-inspired details, and antiques that feel collected rather than precious.

The architecture also allowed for a nice ebb and flow between the grand spaces and the more intimate ones, and we leaned into that contrast. We were intentional about choosing finishes with warmth – oak, for instance, throughout the great room.

We added oak moldings around the openings that create almost a hug effect around the living room before drawing you into the more intimate spaces beyond. That mix is really instrumental.

We filled every corner of the home with personal pieces – artwork and decorative objects that belong to the family – and that's what makes it feel lived in rather than staged.

Homes & Gardens: The home balances the wife’s softer, more cottage-inspired style with Jason’s cleaner, more tailored vision. How did you bridge those contrasting styles?

Shea McGee: The overall aesthetic is classic European with American livability – layered, warm, and quietly tailored.

Whitney leans toward softer, more cottage-inspired moments: the chinoiserie murals in the children’s wing, the romantic ruffled cushions in the craft room, the slipcovered seating, the wallpapered ceilings.

Jason gravitates toward cleaner architectural moves: the limestone entry, the steel windows, the dark-stained tongue-and-groove garage, the rich oak of his dressing room.

The way they meet is the heart of the project. Architectural continuity – the same paneling, the same plaster, the same material vocabulary – held the home together, and within that backbone, each room could lean a little softer or a little more tailored without losing the larger story. The home is neither his nor hers. It’s both, settled into one.

Colton Broadbent: We ultimately landed on a Belgian-inspired archetype because it could hold both sides of their taste.

It can handle Jason’s cleaner, more tailored sensibility, but it also has room for the softer, more cottage-like qualities that Whitney was drawn to. There is a sense of history and craftsmanship in that style, but it doesn’t have to feel overly ornate or out of place.

That became the bridge. The architecture could be rooted in history and European precedent, but still feels restrained, edited, and appropriate for the way they live. From there, Studio McGee was able to carry that story into the furnishings, materials, and layered interior details. It was really a shared story that we kept building together and riffing on as the project developed.

Homes & Gardens: Are there any details in the home that visitors might overlook, but shouldn't?

Shea McGee: So much of what makes this home feel personal lives in the details, and the artwork is where a lot of that comes through. A few highlights for me:

There's a painting of our client's grandmother hanging in the kitchen, and a wall of historical family photos in the mudroom. We also commissioned a local artist to paint a beautiful family tree featuring the family crest and a small rendering of the home itself – it hangs above a George Smith chaise tucked under the stairs, which is one of my favorite quiet moments in the house.

On the finishes side, I love what we did with the stone step details in a few different spots. In the entryway, there's a solid piece of limestone with a chiseled edge, and at the base of the staircase leading up to the kids' wing, there's a marble step. They're small moments most people might not register consciously, but they're the kind of details that make the home feel crafted rather than built.

Colton Broadbent: I hope people notice the spaces between the spaces.

Throughout this home, we paid close attention to moments of arrival, pause, and anticipation. There are vestibules, compressed passages, framed views, and subtle thresholds that help define the experience of moving from one space into another.

A great piece of music is not defined solely by the notes. The pauses matter as well. Architecture operates in much the same way. The moments of compression make the larger spaces feel more expansive. The quieter moments make the dramatic moments feel more meaningful.

There is a kind of cognitive mapping that happens, where your body can sense that you are moving from one type of space into another. As you move through the house, the architecture asks you to pay attention. It makes you feel that something has shifted, and hopefully it sparks a little curiosity about why that space feels different.

Homes & Gardens: From craft rooms to bowling alleys – how important was creating different moods throughout the home?

Shea McGee: If every room hits the same note, you stop hearing any of them. The conservatory is enveloping and a little theatrical – Pierre Frey Chantonnay wallpaper carried up the walls and across the ceiling, two Steinways at the center, a design narrative built around fifteen songs that mean something to this family.

The craft room is cheerful and atelier-like – soft cream millwork, ruffled cushions on the built-in benches, label holders on the drawers.

The theater room is intimate and club-like – lounge seating instead of stadium rows, deep green velvet, plaid lumbar pillows. They’re each true to themselves, but there are threads that carry between the spaces with the materials, inspiration, and color palettes.

Homes & Gardens: We have to talk about the tented playroom. Where did that idea come from?

Shea McGee: When we design kids' spaces, we're thinking about playfulness and youth, but we're also thinking about how a room can evolve over time.

The bunk room is a good example – we chose gender-neutral tones so it could grow and accommodate whoever is staying there. We did a playful design with the cutouts and shaping of the bunks, upholstered headboards, and built-in daybeds.

The star of the children's spaces, though, is the tented room. From the very first time I saw that space on the plans, I knew I wanted it to feel like a play tent inside the home. I'd always wanted to do a tented room, and our client was open to it, so I knew this was the perfect opportunity.

The blue and white stripes feel classic and elegant – every home needs a few moments that feel like surprises, and this is one of them. It is the happiest room. Tented rooms have a rich history, and with a few styling adjustments, this could function as a really inspiring lounge space as the kids grow older.

Homes & Gardens: There's a pattern in almost every room, yet nothing feels overwhelming. What's the secret?

Shea McGee: There's a rise and fall with the pattern throughout the home. Nearly every room features some sort of pattern – whether it's tile work, a textile on a pillow or chair, or wallpaper – but there are also calmer, quieter moments that let the eye rest. The goal was to create continuity and repetition without making every room feel the same.

A lot of the cohesion comes from design details we carried through the main spaces, but in subtly varied ways – the opening around the fireplace is repeated around the kitchen range, cabinet corbels, and in the primary bedroom.

We also took a lot of inspiration from the natural surroundings. You see those palettes and textures pulled directly from the foothills behind the home – many of the dusty, earthy tones throughout were chosen with that landscape in mind. That connection to place is really what holds everything together.

Homes & Gardens: Architecturally, what was most important to establish early on?

Colton Broadbent: If I had to point to a single idea that guided the project from the beginning, it would be proportion.

Large homes are not inherently grand. In fact, size alone often works against the feeling people are trying to achieve. Without careful consideration, larger homes can quickly go from feeling grand to just feeling big.

We use the phrase 'house bloat' internally quite a bit, and this project constantly challenged us to resist it. Every square foot had to earn its place within the larger composition.

From the beginning, we focused on creating hierarchy rather than simply increasing dimensions. Every space needed to understand its role within the larger composition.

A room with a high ceiling, for example, required architectural elements that could help bring the scale back to the individual. Millwork, beams, openings, and material transitions all became tools for creating comfort within larger volumes.

Homes & Gardens: Is there one room or design detail that best captures the spirit of the project?

Shea McGee: Maybe it's because it's one of my favorite rooms in the house, but I think the scullery best captures the personality of the family. It's a large, overflowing space that's incredibly practical but just as beautiful.

The Delft tile on the walls is representative of a favorite trip our client went on, so it's deeply personal. In the center, there's a huge island for baking. We hung copper pots that feel very collected, and a sentimental art piece hangs in the corner. It's so connected to a personal story, but you can also see the vibrancy and life of the family who lives here. To me, it captures everything we wanted this project to be: chic, collected, personal, and a space that actually works for the people who live in it.

Colton Broadbent: There are a lot of spaces I’m proud of in this house, but I find myself returning to the relationship between the dining room and the craft room.

On paper, those spaces serve very different purposes. One is devoted to gathering around a table. The other is devoted to making, experimenting, and creating. Yet their proximity tells you a great deal about the values of the family.

This family is very much about storytelling, inspiration, togetherness, and creation. They wanted a home where their kids could feel inspired, where creativity was part of everyday life. I think that is a really beautiful thing to foster in children.

That connection between family dinner and the craft room really captures the heart of the project for me: togetherness, creativity, and a home that encourages everyone who lives there and visits to be inspired.

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The ’70s got a lot of things right. The mesmerizing swirls of burled wood being one. Storage ideas, a little less so. Not that they weren’t trying. This was around the time furniture discovered it could multitask. But between the slam-shut lids, pinched fingers, and seats that looked more comfortable than they actually were, there was room for improvement.

Which is why I’m fascinated by Shea McGee’s new storage ottoman for Target, a design that keeps all the charm of those retro pieces while correcting a few decades-old mistakes – large in part to a switch so simple: it's horseshoe-shaped.

Not round. Not square. Not even one of those increasingly popular corner-loving triangles. A horseshoe. Which means this stylish ottoman has the look of a fully curved seat while still sitting flush against a wall. For anyone still working out the choreography of a small living room, this cosplay is kind of a revelation.

In fact, I'm beginning to suspect this is objectively the better storage shape. Why it took us several decades to figure that out, I couldn't tell you. Better late than never, I suppose.

And at roughly 18 by 18 by 18 inches, this unusual ottoman style is surprisingly spacious. Cords, throws, and other household eyesores disappear beneath its neat lift-top lid, while up top, a contemporarily comfortable upholstered cushion makes it somewhere you actually want to sit. Looking like the storied burl wood score you've been searching Facebook Marketplace for since 2022 (but will probably never find), this gem might even be better than vintage.

Humanity may not have flying cars yet, but in this Year of the Horse, at least Shea McGee has figured out the storage ottoman.

More Small Space-Friendly Storage Ottomans

Now that I've become a bit of an ottoman-shape enthusiast, it feels only right to share a few more contenders. Horseshoes may be the current favorite, but these three clever storage designs are equally adept at hiding living room or bedroom clutter while hogging as few precious square inches as possible.

Shea had me at horseshoe, but this isn’t the only horsey development happening this year. Tack on the warm burl finish, heritage-inspired upholstery, and the broader return of equestrian decor, this ottoman arrives at a time when we're all wannabe horse girls. (Ralph Lauren would probably approve.)

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Bathrooms are returning to schemes that embrace tranquility and luxury this year, with a true emphasis on creating spaces that not only prioritize wellness but also feel timeless. And the new Kohler x Studio McGee collaboration makes creating such a space easier than ever.

Just launched, the Kohler x Studio McGee Claude Bathroom Collection has everything you need to create a bathroom that embraces classic style with pared-back restraint, instantly creating a sense of calm.

The collection feels quietly luxurious, offering a high-end look without any fussy embellishments. Think chic washstands, elegant pedestal sinks, and even a freestanding tub, alongside smaller accessories that effortlessly complete a bathroom. Honestly? It's a collection worth knowing if you're planning a refresh this year.

This isn't Studio McGee's first collaboration with Kohler – in fact, the Claude Collection follows six successful launches across kitchens and bathrooms.

But while they have all focused on specific elements of the room, such as the Castia^™ Bathroom Faucet Collection and the Audrine^™ Kitchen Sink Collection, the latest endeavor offers all the essential furniture you need to design a bathroom.

You can furnish your entire bathroom with this collection. Choose between a traditional washstand sink with either brass or silver fixings, an elegant pedestal sink, or a sleek undermount sink to upgrade a vanity.

There are five different toilet designs to choose from, depending on the size and style of your bathroom, and one holy grail bathtub that effortlessly blends into schemes that lean traditional and modern in style. It might just be the hardest-working collection to date.

'Partnering with Kohler allows thoughtful design and advanced performance to come together in a way that feels natural and elevated,' says Shea McGee, Founder of Studio McGee, in the press release.

'With Claude, we created an entire cohesive bathroom collection that feels grounded and enduring, with pieces that draw you in. We designed products that are intentional and innovative while leaning into architectural detail and classic proportions to deliver comfort and functionality expected in a modern home.'

This collection is about more than simply accessorizing your bathroom – it's about introducing core pieces that balance classic style with unrivalled functionality. Each piece is inspired by Kohler's archives, reintroducing key furniture, from toilets to bathtubs, taking pieces that are usually seen as basic essentials and making them feel more refined and elevated.

'Working with Shea allowed us to push the boundaries of what bathroom design can be. She brought a fresh perspective to Kohler’s rich design heritage, helping us translate our archives into something distinctly modern, but classic,' said Margaret Mazz, Kohler Studio Manager.

'Claude demonstrates that advanced performance – especially in a smart toilet – doesn’t have to look technical. It can be beautifully designed, intuitive to use, and grounded in timeless form.'

Shop the Collection

Whether you're planning a simple bathroom refresh or a full renovation, there's something in this collection for every space. It reinforces the idea of a design centered around wellness, rather than following fleeting bathroom trends.

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Interior designer Shea McGee is fluent in the language of rooms – the flow, light, and casually elevated styling that she’s known for as the co-founder of Studio McGee. Her new cookbook, then, is less of a departure than it first appears. In Around The Table: Tables and Traditions For Gathering, available on Amazon, McGee approaches food the way she approaches a living space: with an eye toward how it feels to be there, how people gather, linger, and, ideally, help themselves to seconds.

She begins her cookbook with a line that disarms: 'I am an interior designer, not a professionally trained chef.' It’s a teaser for her ultimate thesis: That the recipes are only one part of the offering, and the real subject is the moment they create.

'I’m not just thinking about flavors – I’m thinking about color, texture, height, composition, and how the whole scene comes together,' she says. The table, in her hands, becomes an extension of the room – another surface to layer, edit, and bring into balance. A platter of salmon scattered with citrus and herbs is treated with the same care as a console styled with books and objects. 'The table is just another room to me. And food is just another form of design.'

The book is organized by season, a structure that feels intuitive once you hear her describe it. 'My whole approach to gathering is shaped by how I’m experiencing the season,' she says. 'What produce is in season, what the light looks like outside, whether we're eating around the fire pit or out on the patio with the doors open.' To McGee, spring is light and bright, summer relaxed and a little improvisational, fall layered and candlelit, winter pared back to soup, bread, and closeness. It is a way of cooking that pays attention to mood as much as ingredients.

Late spring, which happens to be when her book was released this year, is her favorite time to host. 'After a long winter, we’re all coming out of our shells – there is a sense of possibility as everything comes to life,' she says. The menus, she insists, 'almost build themselves,' guided by fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and whatever looks good at the market that morning. There is a pleasing lack of overthinking in that approach, a confidence that the season will carry you.

Though her focus is always on beauty, her idea of the perfect spring party food is sneakily pragmatic. 'To me, the best party food is essentially a portable salad – it should look beautiful, taste interesting, and require almost no effort to eat,' she says. Skewers of blackberry and Gouda, smashed tzatziki cucumbers, whipped ricotta piped onto croissant crostini – each one designed to feel generous without demanding much from the host or the guest.

That ethos extends to the way she sets a table: Bring the outside in, use what you have, and let things be a little imperfect. A few bud vases with flowers clipped from the yard, rumpled linens, a woven element to break up the ceramics – small gestures that add up to something memorable.

There is, throughout the book, a sense that hospitality is less about performance and more about attention. McGee describes a last-minute visit from a friend with a kind of ease that feels aspirational in the best way: a board assembled from whatever is in the fridge, a quick crostini, conversation unfolding in the kitchen. 'Thoughtfulness, not perfection, is always the goal,' she says.

A designer writing a cookbook makes perfect sense when you consider the end goal of any gathering: Never the dish itself, but the room it creates around it.

Blackberry Gouda Skewers

'Color and texture are top of mind when creating a menu. These skewers have a contrast of dark and light hues with a pleasant, toasty crunch from coarse salt and walnuts. It’s essentially a portable salad, easy to eat and transport, whether I’m at the beach, hosting a barbecue, or sneaking a few into lunchboxes.'

Ingredients

• 1 pound peeled, seeded, and diced honeydew melon
• 5 ounces Gouda cheese
• 32 (4 3/4-inch) bamboo skewers
• 5 ounces spring mix
• 1 pint blackberries
• ½ cup walnuts
• Balsamic glaze, for serving
• Coarse grey French salt, for serving

Directions

1. Dice the honeydew into 1-inch cubes. Next, chop the Gouda into ½-inch cubes.

2. Assemble by layering a piece of honeydew, pinch of spring mix, cube of Gouda, blackberry, another pinch of spring mix, and another piece of honeydew on a skewer. Place in an airtight container or cover in plastic wrap, then refrigerate until ready to serve.

3. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes until fragrant. Finely chop.

4. Stack the skewers in an airtight container for easy storage and transport. To serve, set the skewers on a platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze, then sprinkle with the toasted walnuts and French salt. Alternatively, let guests dress the skewers on their own.

Tzatziki Cucumbers

'Thanks to a punchy dill vinaigrette and creamy yogurt base, these tzatziki-inspired cucumbers are cool, crunchy, and packed with flavor. With just a few ingredients and simple prep, this dish delivers the refreshing bite of tzatziki in an engaging, deconstructed form.'

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• ¼ cup fresh dill, packed
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 lemon
• 2 English cucumbers
• ¾ cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt

Directions

1. In a large bowl, make the vinaigrette by whisking together the oil, sesame seeds, sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt. Chop the dill, grate or finely mince the garlic, and zest and juice the lemon. Add the dill, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice to the oil and whisk to combine.

2. Cut the cucumbers into thirds crosswise, then smash each piece with the side of the knife or a mallet. Roughly chop the smashed cucumbers and add them to the vinaigrette. Stir to combine.

3. Add the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt to the yogurt and stir to combine. Spread the yogurt over the bottom of a serving platter or shallow bowl. Spoon the cucumbers on top of the yogurt. Pour any remaining vinaigrette over the top and serve.

Whipped Ricotta Crostini

'These crostini are a simple, elegant appetizer that feeds a crowd. Using croissants in place of a typical baguette yields a supremely buttery toast that delicately shatters beneath each bite of cloud-like ricotta. For a little extra color, finish with flaky salt and a sprinkle of dried edible flowers.'

Ingredients

• 3 ¾ cups (30 ounces) ricotta
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 to 4 large croissants
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Flaky salt, for serving
• Dried edible flowers, for serving (optional)

Directions

1. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, add the ricotta, heavy cream, and salt. Whip on medium-high speed, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes. The mixture will be light and fluffy.

2. Transfer the whipped ricotta to a piping bag or gallon storage bag and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight.

3. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and slice the croissants into ¼-inch slices, just like you would a loaf of bread, to yield about 10 slices per croissant. Nestle the slices onto a parchment-lined sheet pan in a single layer, using two sheets if needed.

4. Brush the croissants on both sides with the oil, then transfer to the oven and bake for 7 to 8 minutes. Flip the croissants, then bake for another 5 to 6 minutes until they are deeply toasted and crisp. Set aside to cool completely.

5. When ready to assemble, cut the tip of the bag to create a ¼-inch opening. Pipe the whipped ricotta onto each crostini in a squiggle motion, then sprinkle with flaky salt and dried flowers (if using). Serve immediately.

Menu of the Moment is a monthly Homes & Gardens feature which taps into a seasonal cookery mindset or food trend, with a selection of recipes inspired by the calendar or zeitgeist, and an interview with the cook, chef or recipe book author about the story behind them, and what brings them joy about cooking seasonally and for the moment.

It was a high-society staple. Your very chic grandmother had it at home. You’ll find it tucked into the glossy, pastel corridors of The Colony Hotel. Fashioned into bag handles, it remains a Gucci house code. Now, Shea McGee is bringing bamboo back to the table – indoors or out, actually.

While certain pieces from her new summer 2026 collection (like the cream ceramic napkin holder) feel destined for a dining room moment, Shea's also introduced bamboo-trimmed dinner plates, salad servers, and platters in melamine.

One 21st-century swap, and this Palm Beach Regency trend can finally survive a tumble onto a brick patio floor without a hitch – essential for any alfresco antics the pieces might inspire, and very much in keeping with the accent's original caftan-clad world, captured by Slim Aarons.

The mid-century tiki obsession was never strictly seasonal (you best believe hosts used it to decorate in December), but its return feels especially auspicious, arriving just as summer entertaining starts to ask for a little more ease.

Tastemakers like Lilly Pulitzer and Dorothy Draper once used bamboo to bring an approachable gloss to the table, so follow suit. Shea's revival is polished enough to offset the punchy ikat linens you’ve been waiting to break out, yet relaxed enough to gab alongside your (surely growing) stack of all-wicker everything.

Thanks to Shea, this ‘old money’ look doesn’t cost what it used to. Go ahead and set the table like you summer in Palm Beach.

We’re after a Slim Aarons summer, and these bamboo accessories feel like a fabulous place to start. But between checkered floors, candy-colored kitchens, and a lucite revival, it’s not the only ’60s comeback worth noting.

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Having spent many a summer as a Style Editor in the interiors space, I’ve noticed one shift without question: the fastest-moving category in outdoor aesthetics right now is portable lighting. The clearest example this season is Shea McGee’s wicker-look lamp from her new Target drop – a piece that, from price tag to taste, feels almost too good to be true.

Not long ago, outdoor portable lamps were neither. Ugly – and, worse, expensive. Shea’s cordless number, on the other hand, priced at a cool $30, features an on-trend woven tapered shade, an integrated LED, and, unlike many purportedly ‘outdoor’ lamps, actually resists the elements.

It’s a bit like buying a flatscreen: prices are now a laughable margin of what we once forked over, and the quality is just so, so much better.

Back in the days of yore (read: 2023), a $30 portable lamp might have proved no better than a wildly overpriced piece of garbage. Now, it seems like the smarter outdoor living room buy – especially when (without naming names) it looks near-identical to options priced four times higher.

I give it a week before it sells out. Maybe less.

How I'd Style It

There’s plenty of leeway when it comes to styling a classic coastal lamp like this, but if I were setting the most 2026 scene possible (which, interestingly, looks a lot like St. Tropez, circa 1960), here are the top three patio ideas I’d pick to make it happen.

Additional Outdoor Lamps

Discover three more portable lamps that, as a style editor, make me want to cry tears of joy. They grow up so fast.

There are plenty more Shea McGee–designed gems where that came from – including a few I’d move on sooner rather than later. My edit of nine favorites covers every alfresco occasion.

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Shea sells seashells by the seashore. How’s that for a tongue twister? By Shea, we, of course, mean McGee, and by seashore, we mean Target. Her latest drop flirts with last summer’s biggest trend – only now, these shells are here to host.

Shea kicks off the new collection's decidedly social agenda with a portable table lamp disguised as a conch shell – which, believe it or not, might be the best host’s accessory of the summer. It passes as a pretty paperweight (something in the vicinity of a Judith Leiber clutch) until the sun sets and you switch it on, the shell lighting from within. There’s no doubting its sculptural presence, but it’s also a surprisingly practical party trick, illuminating the table as insurance against any late-night, elbow-led margarita mishaps.

For those less taken by the novelty, the shell-shaped pieces are rounded out by outdoor living essentials you were actually planning to stock up on, too (such as rattan chargers and sculptural serving spoons), alongside a broader lineup of coastal inspired outdoor essentials that feel refreshingly less themed.

Namely, a series of silver, wavy-edged serving pieces – from two-tiered stands to champagne buckets – for your more opulent alfresco moments, while sea-blue and coral-pink outdoor cushions, finished with ruffled eyelet lace, bring that cottagecore-meets-whimsy mood outside for the quieter ones.

Last year’s seashell moment skewed more sedentary with neoclassically inspired sconces, accent mirrors, and trinket dishes, but Shea gives the seaside motif a new purpose this season: to party, indoors or out.

You don’t need a sixth sense to know that anything by Shea will fly fast, but we have an inkling these nine hosting-ready pieces will shell out first.

In case there was any doubt that 'coastal' is the look Shea's betting on this summer, the designer leans in just as heavily with her own homewares brand, McGee & Co. Seashells aside, there are three additional – and highly complementary – summer trends for 2026 from the lineup that deserve a place at the table.

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Between her design firm, Studio McGee, and her homewares brand, McGee & Co., Shea McGee has her finger on the pulse of what's hot in design. From the 'it' colors and textures to the shapes and forms defining the zeitgeist – leave it to Shea to know what's up.

So it comes as no surprise that the designer's newly released summer collection at McGee & Co. is brimming with interior design trends that are both tasteful and timely – trends that feel fitting for design in 2026 and will inform aesthetics to come. The collection itself features a strong coastal inspired undertone, which is expected for a summer drop, but Shea's managed to make the coastal look feel different than before – still light and soothing, but layered, elevated, and lived-in, too.

Designed to go the distance, the pieces from this collection will cement themselves as staple trends that we'll come back to again and again, summer after summer. From classic materials reimagined in creative forms to characterful patterns given a new identity, here are the top three trends emerging from Shea's coastal-inspired summer collection.

1. Heritage Plaids

'For our summer collection, I was really imagining this West Coast-meets-East Coast prep, and you'll see that in the relaxed nature of the collection,' Shea explains in a video posted to McGee & Co.'s Instagram. That preppy influence is evident in the collection's pattern choices – particularly, the plaid.

While some of us might associate prints like plaid and gingham with autumn, these checkered-like motifs transcend seasonal constraints. For summer, decorating with blue-toned plaids feels particularly relevant, while tan plaids lean into the softness that we love about summer design.

What stands out about the plaid variations from Shea's summer collection is that each holds a sense of heritage. As a pattern that's been reused and reimagined time and time again, Shea manages to make plaid feel fresher than ever in her latest drop – a pattern we can return to to signify summer design.

2. Refreshed Weaves

Like florals for spring, woven decor goes hand-in-hand with summertime style. It's the trend that keeps on giving – rattan weaves look good in nearly every form, inviting a level of texture and natural elegance to the scene. For summer 2026, Shea's incorporated a number of woven designs into her collection. But this time, the weave takes on a variety of forms.

Woven baskets, accent chairs, and trays display the ever-appealing nature of traditional rattan weave. Even ceramic serveware made with a woven design mimics the tactility of woven rattan with its subtle grooves and intertwining nature.

Still a summer staple, just reimagined in varied forms. This woven decor feels refreshingly elevated for summer 2026.

3. Blue-Green

At the beginning of the year, when Shea released her trends for 2026, she explained that blue and green have taken turns as the 'it' color over the past few years, and for 2026, she expected blue to take the crown. It's certainly been a major color trend over the last few months, but as the summer nears, it seems that the color set to stylize summer interiors isn't a true blue, but a blue-green, instead.

Like a cross between seafoam green and hazy teal, the blue-green shade that trickles through McGee & Co.'s summer collection presents a fresh take on classic summer colors. In any form – a pillow, a vase – the color looks rich and tasteful.

Consider styling blue decor with green decor too. Shea's collection features lots of decor in each specific color, proving to us that these earth-inspired shades will work together to enrich interiors with natural elegance this summer.

McGee & Co.'s summer collection doesn't stop there. Seashore references make an appearance (like this silly but chic fish-shaped plate), and subtle twisted details turn into major statements (like the twisted wood base of this lamp). Leave it to Shea McGee to transform coastal-inspired styles into timeless summer trends that'll exist in our homes well beyond the season.

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The coastal grandmother aesthetic may have ruled our outdoor mood boards for the last few years, but this summer a new vibe is taking its place – and it's calling us to wine country. It’s less Hamptons holiday, more Napa Valley weekender, and McGee & Co's just-dropped outdoor collection makes a compelling case for why this is the look to know now.

This summer, Shea McGee's trading breezy seaside palettes for layered textures, tailored stripes, and relaxed silhouettes that feel lifted straight from The Parent Trap. Simply put, if 2026 has a defining outdoor decorating trend, consider it this.

So rather than waiting until outdoor season is in full swing, consider this your cue to get ahead of the curve. Below, you'll find the McGee & Co pieces worth adding to your cart now if a wine-country-worthy backyard tickles your fancy.

Shot among rolling vineyards, in the rain no less, the new McGee & Co. drop leans fully into that California ease: wicker seating that invites you to linger, tailored cushions in softly striped neutrals, and polished tabletop pieces that get you ready for a long alfresco lunch.

The overall look is unmistakably resort-inspired, but not in a glossy or overstyled way – rather, it captures that casual 'Nancy Meyers patio' look that her film set homes are famous for, where everything looks beautiful yet entirely lived in.

And with the right pieces, your own backyard could double as a Nancy Meyers film location this summer.

To style the look you want, anchor your space with one hero furniture piece (choose between the luxurious Pomeroy Lounge Chair or the relaxed Haviland Sofa), layer in a patterned rug, then build up your vineyard-inspired veranda with cushions, tabletop pieces, and patterned accents.

Of course, natural materials are important. Think Bamboo Flatware, Wicker Baskets designed to carry your plates, Terracotta Planters, and relaxed linen blends that add warmth and texture to your patio.

Tempted? Below, I’ve rounded up the standout buys from the collection that will bring this wine-country mood home – from versatile lounge seating to the styling accents that make an outdoor space feel finished.

Shop McGee & Co's 2026 Outdoor Collection

If there’s one thing this collection proves, it’s that you don't have to travel far to feel like you're on a Californian escape this summer – you can simply create the feeling of one at home. With its mix of relaxed prints, tactile materials, and elegant hosting accessories, McGee & Co.’s latest drop delivers that mood to your back door.

As the seasons change, the kitchen is always the first room I refresh. Heading into spring, I add fresh greenery to the vase on the island, swap the tablecloth on the bistro table for a brighter, more spring-like hue, and update the decor on my shelving and countertops with fresher pieces. Shea McGee's new spring collection is full of the perfect kitchen accents to do just that.

McGee & Co.'s new kitchen collection is ideal for uplifting your home with inviting, whimsical spring charm. Inspired by French country kitchens, this range feels both on-trend and timeless. Every piece has a lived-in, playful character – from tasteful rattan chicken motifs to hand-painted details and ruffles galore.

Plus, now is the perfect time to treat yourself, with up to 25% off during the President’s Day sale.

Shop McGee & Co's French Country Style Kitchenware

McGee & Co.'s new spring line all has this same, classic yet trendy, elegant yet effortless feel, and with the entire collection having up to 25% off, now is the perfect time to invest in some key pieces to refresh your home for spring.

If a chair could plausibly live inside Nancy Meyers’ Father of the Bride (1991), it’s usually a strong indicator I want it in my apartment. Watching George Banks spiral over Annie’s engagement is stressful. Studying those ruffle-bottomed, slipcovered sofas in the background? Effortless. Romantic. Wedding-ready, for sure – a flavor of fanciful that Shea McGee appears to have tapped with her new ruffle chair for Target.

This new version of Shea's viral ruffle chair is Nancy Meyers wedding-worthy not just because it channels that idyllic, California-cream interior (though the palest iteration does feel appropriately ceremonial), but because, for the first time in Shea’s Target lineup, it swivels. Yes, a full 360 degrees. It’s an expansion of her best-selling collection, now with a coquettishly concealed mischief.

Style the classic cream with neutral florals (a coordinating Shea ottoman wouldn’t hurt either) and you’re squarely in Banks-family territory. But there are nine more spring-forward cotton patterns to consider, too. Normally, the patterned versions retail for $700. But right now, they’re 30% off – which means you get that bespoke, 'I had it upholstered' look for far, far less than custom.

From technicolor ginghams to meandering botanicals, even if you’re not hosting a backyard wedding anytime soon, these seats feel like reason enough to gather. Ahead, Homes & Gardens' favorite pattern options to set the scene.

2026 is shaping up to be a battle of the swivels. We adore the fanciful charm of Shea’s ruffled number, but there’s a sleeker contender in the ring, too: a tailored, striped viral favorite that would feel equally at home in Nancy’s cinematic universe – and is currently over 80% off on Wayfair. Consider this your sign to decide which one spins the sweetest in your own living room.

Brass, gold, and copper have long reigned as the go-to, on-trend metallic finishes. But throughout 2025, as homes became more layered, more colorful, and more inviting, we saw an unexpected shift away from these super-popular warm metals toward cool metals like chrome and silver.

Even the queen of soft, rustic interiors, Shea McGee, has gone to the cool side with both her new McGee & Co. Spring Collection and her Threshold designed w/ Studio McGee line at Target, heavily featuring silver. It’s a design trend that made her top design predictions for 2026. But Shea is very specific that, for her, it’s all about silver – not chrome.

So how does Shea style this cooler-toned finish in her warm, rustic interiors? We spoke with the designer to find out how she’s incorporating this trending material into her projects.

Unlike chrome, which can skew very modern and sometimes cold, decorating with silver yields a softer, more familiar effect in interiors. It's a metallic finish that many associate with traditional decorating trends because of its frequent use throughout design history. Hence, why it's Shea's choice for her softer style.

Compared to chrome, ‘silver reads warmer and more heritage-inspired – it feels softer, more layered, and timeless rather than sleek,’ Shea explains. Typically, its shine is not as sharp as chrome's, and according to Shea, this gives the finish its calm and collected feel.

Shea explains that 'Silver tends to blend more naturally into layered interiors. If your space leans classic or transitional, silver usually feels like the better choice,' she remarks. Silver's soft shine and timeless appeal can enhance a home that already feels lived-in and full of personality. It's an enduring finish with a subtle shine that can add another level of visual interest without disrupting the room's preexisting atmosphere.

Shea is all about softening silver with other materials. This is how we’re seeing these cooler metals styled in 2026. They aren’t in stark white minimalist rooms; this isn’t the silver of the 2010s. If you layer silver with natural materials like wood, stone, marble, and warm neutrals, it adds a slight, unexpected contrast – but one that works.

‘Silver pairs beautifully with wood, stone, and softer textiles,’ Shea explains. See how the shelves above are styled with plenty of beautiful, natural textures and warm shades, and how pops of silver add a freshness among all the tactile layering.

Maybe it’s because warmer metallics seem like such a safe, ‘done’ choice, but silver does offer a more expensive-looking, more elegant appeal. It’s familiar, yet refreshing. Complementary, but striking, too. Silver can invite a level of rich character into a room, which makes it a particularly relevant finish for this moment in design. We are all striving for interiors that sing with character and personality. Silver can deliver both of those things – along with a little bit of shine.

If you’re eager to work this finish into your interior styling, Shea's love of silver is apparent in her own McGee & Co. spring collection and her new range with Target. Shop our favorite picks below.

Shop the Chicest Silver Decor

Silver isn't just reserved for modern spaces that lean cool. Layer it right with plenty of texture and warm colors, and it can be used to add some edge to modern rustic interiors.

I'm currently in the middle of refining my living room layout. While the final pieces are still coming together, I know I want it to be layered, mismatched, and cozy. Much like it was designed by Shea McGee herself.

So, when Shea took to Instagram this past week to share her tried-and-tested tips for creating a perfectly imperfect living room layout, it struck a familiar chord. As Shea well knows, the key to nailing your furniture scheme (particularly in 2026) lies in a delicate balance between symmetry, asymmetry, and finally ditching matching sets.

Here, Shea talks us through her own design process for creating calm and balance in a living room – with a little help from her latest collection.

'When you're designing with symmetry, it's actually important to then break the symmetry,' Shea says in the video, showing us a charming living room that features items from McGee & Co.'s Spring 2026 Collection.

Symmetry is often seen as the key to bringing calm and balance to the perfect living room layout. It gives the eye something orderly to focus on – think matching furniture sets, perfectly paired lamps, and mirrored joinery. But Shea is quick to point out that when symmetry can actually start to feel overly formal – or worse, a little flat.

'So, if I have a room like this [referencing the living room in the video] and I have pairs of chairs on both sides of the room and even a pair of ottomans – I am looking to break it up in some way.'

One of the most effective ways to do this is by mismatching furniture rather than buying into identical sets.

'So, see how I used two different styles of chairs here?' she explains of the layout above. 'If I had done four [matching chairs], I think it would've felt a bit overwhelming and too perfect.'

It's a good reminder that creating a sense of cohesion doesn't have to mean really obvious repetition. Instead, Shea mixes chair styles placed around the coffee table to break up the obvious symmetry and monotony of matching sets.

The same thinking applies to smaller pieces, too. Rather than flanking the sofa with matching side tables, Shea deliberately opts for variation. 'And then also, if you look at what I did next to the sofa, I kept the side tables asymmetrical!'

This styling choice prevents the room from feeling staged, while still maintaining the principles of interior design through scale, proportion, and balance.

But while it sounds like an easier and freer way to pull together a scheme, it actually requires careful curation to create the perfect mix. Here, Shea uses a red thread of tones and textures that are repeated in the soft furnishings, throw pillows, wooden accents, and objects to create a more layered, collected scheme that still feels curated by a designer's eye.

'So look for opportunities to create symmetry, and then after you do that, look for ways to break the symmetry,' she suggests, advising you to use symmetry as a guide and then soften it with thoughtful mismatches and little asymmetric tweaks that make the space feel layered, inviting, and imperfect in all the right ways.

Shop the Look

For those inspired to recreate the look, the living room from McGee & Co.'s Spring collection shows how thoughtfully chosen pieces can work together without matching outright. From mix-and-match seating to the collection of throw pillows, each element plays a role in creating this characterful scheme.

Designing a well-balanced living room layout is of course key to making the room feel right, but as Shea explains, it can often look a little too staged. By starting with symmetry and then intentionally disrupting it, she creates a space that feels calm yet characterful, polished yet personal – and makes it super easy to recreate in the process.

As a dog owner with a home I’ve put real heart and soul into, I’ve spent far too long hunting for stylish dog accessories that don’t undo all my design efforts. So, the first thing that caught my eye in the new McGee & Co. Spring drop was her first foray into pet gear.

Too often, pet pieces feel purely practical – fine for the dog, disastrous for my home's aesthetic. Enter Shea McGee’s spring collection, which finally delivers beds and bowls that feel as chic and considered as the rest of my home.

Practical, polished, and genuinely stylish, these are pet accessories I don’t feel the need to tuck away when guests come over. Below, I’ve rounded up the McGee & Co. spring collection pieces that prove your dog’s essentials can be just as stylish as the rest of your home.

I’ve spent years renovating and carefully curating the kitchen of my dreams – classic cabinetry, warm finishes, and traditional touches that make the space feel timeless rather than trendy. It’s the heart of my home, and every detail has been chosen with intention.

So you can imagine my frustration when all that effort was immediately ruined by an ugly pet bed in the corner and a stainless steel bowl that felt wildly out of place.

What I love most about Shea's approach to dog-friendly design is that nothing feels too kitsch or novelty. Instead, these pieces lean into the same principles McGee & Co. is known for: classic patterns, soft neutral palettes, and a sense of timelessness that works in a layered, lived-in home.

And, they work perfectly with Shea McGee’s ‘Hollywood cottage’ vision for spring. 'This is 'cottage', but with a fanciness applied to it,' Shea explained in a video talking through her top design trends for 2026. Think vintage-inspired florals, classic blue-and-white palette, and ceramics that look collected over time.

From beautifully patterned cotton pet beds that echo traditional textiles, to stoneware bowls and canisters that wouldn’t look out of place on an open shelf, every piece feels thoughtfully designed for real homes. Practical, yes, but never at the expense of style.

Below, I’ve rounded up the standout accessories from McGee & Co.’s Spring collection that prove you don’t have to compromise on your aesthetic to keep your four-legged friend happy.

Shop McGee & Co.'s Spring Dog Accessories

For every style-conscious dog owner, I think this might just be Shea's best drop of the year. As a recently new dog owner herself, I can see why Shea's jumped on the pet designing hype, and if you're up for more inspiration, Shea's pet room from the Gable House project is worth a tour, too.

January isn't over yet, but I've already set my sights on summer – and specifically hitting the coast. While I can't exactly command the weather, I can certainly channel the sunshine, and I'm bringing coastal chic into my home using gorgeous tableware from the Threshold collection at Target, designed by Studio McGee.

If, like me, you're keen to shake off the winter gloom, a single glance at Shea McGee's spring 2026 Target collection will transport you to a sun-soaked island. It might be a spring drop, but this collection sidesteps traditional florals and pastel hues to create a fresh, breezy, summertime feel. Shell motifs, woven textures, and fresh cream hues all come together to channel a coastal-inspired aesthetic – no matter how chilly the temperature is outside right now.

In the video, Shea takes us to a heavenly outdoor seating area brimming with coastal decor ideas. Shades of cream and pale blue abound, along with soft pearlescent accents (the gently luminous Capiz tray is one of my favorite pieces) and pops of silver.

On the table, cream stoneware dinner plates are finished with blue nautical motifs and paired with coral ceramic vases. Shea's shell serveware isn't available online just yet, but you can get the look using McGee & Co's shell-shaped stoneware dish – or opt for vintage-style pieces like the McGee &Co clamshell serving dish if you fancy leaning into the glamorous 'Hollywood cottage' aesthetic, which is one of Shea's top design trends for 2026.

Shea is renowned for her inviting neutral schemes and timeless tablescapes, and Threshold's new collection with Target provides everything you need to emulate her signature style. These pieces bring an air of refined elegance to the coastal aesthetic, creating schemes that feel classic and yet fresh.

Shea proves that even the simplest spring tablescapes can be striking, and her blend of textural details, sculptural silhouettes and organic materials has certainly earned a spot on my hosting mood board. In fact, I'm bookmarking all of Shea's tips on coastal decor – and picking up plenty of pieces from the new Threshold collection to get the look, of course.

Shop Coastal Tableware in Shea McGee's Threshold x Target Collection

Looking for even more design inspiration this season? Start with Joanna Gaines' layered spring tablescape: it swaps coastal chic for vintage charm, and it's simply stunning.

Despite the fact that we're currently in the depths of winter, Shea McGee's spring collection for McGee & Co. is ready to pull us into spring with its light and airy designs, fresh prints, and elegant picks for the season ahead.

Titled 'Heritage in Bloom', McGee & Co.'s spring collection presents a fresh take on the classics, with heirloom prints reimagined for modern living and vintage-inspired furnishings designed for busy families. The collection also taps into some of the top interior design trends of the new year, including rich colors, intriguing textures, and curved forms. The pieces from this collection are timeless by design; layered with character, charm, and undeniably chic style.

Some of the larger furnishings from the collection stand out as anchors – like the Winslow Dining Table with its stunning dark ash wood material and the Mulholland Bedframe with its intricate floral motif. However, the smaller, decorative details aid in giving this collection its rich sense of character – like the Wellers Table Lamp and the Delphine Low Vase.

From its heritage prints and patterns to its vintage-inspired metallic accents and timeless woven details, this collection appeals to those who want to curate a home that speaks to their personality and feels refined at the same time. I've browsed this entire collection, and despite wanting nearly everything, I've picked out 12 of its standouts that are sure to add character and lived-in charm to your home. Shop them, below.

Shop McGee & Co.'s Spring Collection

While Shea McGee's new spring collection at McGee & Co. is already filled with chic decor for your home, there's even more to come. For instance, the Handloomed Block Print Throw will be available on January 24th, the Bodhi Burl Side Table will be available on February 5th, and the Aldorno Cordless Lamp will be available on February 7th.

So keep your calendars marked, join the waitlists for your favorite pieces (I'll be joining for this stunning vintage-inspired shower curtain), and get ready to transform your home into an oasis that'll never go out of style.

We’ve all heard of a spring clean or home refresh, but somewhere between the January blues and packing away the last of the holiday decor, my living room (and I) have started to feel a little… flat.

Too bare to feel cozy, too early to lean fully into spring, and in need of something to lift the mood. So this year, I decided to tear up the rule book and give my space a small, feel-good refresh now – purely in the name of a little January dopamine.

And thanks to Shea McGee, I've found the perfect vibe for this transitional period: the Hollywood Cottage trend. First spotted in Shea's 2026 design trend forecast, she's managed to bring this warm yet decidedly fresh aesthetic to life in her Spring 2026 collection at Target. Here's everything I'm shopping to get the look, starting from just $16.

Rather than a full makeover, I’m taking a lighter approach, using a handful of affordable pieces to gently shift the mood of my living room sans Christmas tree.

What I love most about Shea's Hollywood Cottage aesthetic is that it’s not about committing to a whole remodel or buying into a perfectly styled set. It’s an accent-led, timeless look built slowly through texture, tone, and thoughtful details rather than big-ticket furniture swaps. The idea is to add warmth and a sense of elegance, with pieces that feel lived-in and inviting, yet considered.

'Imagine a space with seagrass rugs, slip-covered sofas, breezy, linen drapes, vintage-inspired florals, blue and white accents, and silver,' Shea describes of the look. 'When they're brought together, it evokes a definite mood.'

For my own space, I’m leaning into the small details that give Hollywood Cottage its charm.

Blue-and-white pieces that add freshness and softness, alongside romantic florals to bring a gentle nod to cottagecore style without tipping into twee, and some subtle metallic finishes to introduce just enough glamour.

The beauty of this trend is how collectable it is over time. You don’t need every single piece to make it work – in fact, it’s better when you don’t. Whether you choose one new accent to bring you some January joy or a few key pieces to layer in, think of this edit as a starting point to one of 2026's key interior design trends.

Shop ‘Hollywood Cottage’ Living Room Finds From Target

The best bit about this trend is that it feels cozy enough for now, light enough for the months ahead, and easy to evolve as the season changes. Whether you add one piece from the Threshold designed w/Studio McGee collection or a few, each piece adds up to a home that feels more layered, more inviting, and quietly polished for the year ahead.

We asked Shea McGee a deceptively simple question with a lot riding on it: if you had to bet on one bathroom trend defining 2026 – a finish, a color, a material – what would it be? Given the designer's long-standing affinity for warm metals, her answer caught us off guard. Nickel.

‘I think the polished nickel is going to be the trend of the year because I think people are ready to move,’ she says, pointing to a collective exhaustion with golds, gunmetals, and other aged finishes that – through sheer overuse – have started to do the storytelling for us. ‘We’re seeing so many silver accents in decor, lots of silver frames and silver decorative objects, and I think that as people warm up to the idea of kind of going back to silver tones, you’ll see them go back to those classic polished nickel tones in the bathroom.’

This doesn’t mean ripping out your bathroom vanity tomorrow. Fixtures matter, but even a trinket dish or towel hook can reroute a space towards this Shea-approved bathroom trend.

And as the laws of design tend to play, when one trend rises, another recedes. For Shea, what’s losing its lustre is the wave of hyper-colorful, retro-inspired bathrooms that have dominated the past few years – often paired with the very warm, aging metal accents now on their way out.

‘I think there’s a time and a place,’ she says, spoken like the true future-focused designer that she is. ‘We do lots of colorful, bold, small bathrooms, but when I’m in a primary bathroom, I’m thinking about my client and if they’re going to be mad at me in three or four years,’ she chuckles.

‘No, truly! I mean, I want them to love it for a long time,’ she adds. A bright yellow toilet might thrill today, but time has a way of humbling us. Still, Shea's not advocating for a completely neutral bathroom either. ‘I love to layer patterns, and I love incorporating color into jewel box moments.’ What she's pushing back on is simply color deployed for shock value alone – the best bathrooms feel like you.

‘I think I’ve seen more people go with what they love. And that’s really exciting to me.’

So the 2026 bathroom TL;DR isn’t about chasing the newest trends. It’s about knowing yourself. If a colorful trough sink feels genuine to you, keep it. If it doesn’t, don’t manufacture a personality for the sake of a trend. And when it comes to metals, consider this a sign to give gold, brass, and gunmetal a breather. According to Shea, polished nickel is back, in bathrooms and beyond.

Ahead, a few essentials to help your space shine in the right ways this year.

Shea McGee is often an excellent barometer for where design is going. This time, the needle swings seaside – but not in a coastal-grandmother, wicker-everything way. It’s cooler. See the look play out in her refreshingly whimsical spring 2026 Target collection.

The start of a new year calls for a re-evaluation of your home – what works, what doesn't, and what needs to be refreshed. According to Shea McGee, a new year refresh doesn't have to comprise of a long, convoluted list of things to do. In fact, all it takes is a few simple changes.

In a recent video posted to Instagram, the designer explains her tips on how to successfully refresh your home for 2026, and her advice is refreshingly easy to put into practice. No need for any major renovations, the use of power tools, or paint brushes. Shea's tips are so simple, you could do them all in one weekend. And the results will make your home feel refreshed and ready for the year ahead.

1. Switch Out Your Sheets

Shea's first tip is simple: 'get new sheets,' the designer says. 'I love fresh sheets on my bed, so I start my morning off right.' The best bed sheets have transformative qualities, and there's no better time than the start of a new year to swap your existing sheets for a new, cozier, softer set.

'Bedding brings a fresh energy not just to the bedroom, but to your personality,' says Julia Demer, sheet obsessive and Style Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'It’s my favorite way to shake myself out of a winter design slump – you’d be surprised how much of a difference cotton versus linen can make, or opting for a pinstripe instead of a solid.'

'Sourcing the best begins with my all-time favorite bedding brands: Cozy Earth, Brooklinen, and, if I’m feeling fancy (which is always), Lilysilk,' Julia explains. 'Each offers something distinct (bamboo viscose, iconic percale, perfected mulberry silk), but they all have one thing in common: they stand out for more than just quality or aesthetics. They feel genuinely amazing, no matter what you choose.'

So, if you're looking for that one easy change refresh your home for the new year, this is it. With a simple sheet swap, you can create a cozy bedroom with minimal effort involved.

2. Rework Your Shelf Styling

Shea's second tip is just as simple – restyle your shelves. 'If you have a bookcase, take it all off, only put back the things that you love, and find a few new spots to add some new things to love,' Shea explains in her video.

Organizing a bookshelf is so much more than just stacking books next to each other – in my opinion, it's an art form. Shelves provide blank spaces for decorative objects, trinkets, and books that can infuse your home with personality and speak to your interests.

If you have shelves in your home that could use some reworking, spend an afternoon taking everything off of them to start from scratch. Put back the books you like, and then add some new decorative trinkets: style the entire arrangement differently than before. Take it further too, switch up your coffee table styling, or the styling of your bedroom dresser.

This simple style switch-up will definitely give your home new energy for the new year. Plus, it'll look like you made a drastic change, when in reality, all you did was reorganize.

3. Thrown Down a New Rug

Shea's last idea to refresh your home for 2026 is to swap a rug for one made from natural fibers like jute, sisal, or seagrass. A new rug can give any room in your home a refreshed energy and inviting spirit for the year ahead, so it's definitely an idea worthy of consideration.

'For the new year, I think it's really nice to choose one spot in your home to swap out a rug for a natural rug – like bring in some jute because it just feels free,' Shea explains in her video. Natural fibers for flooring can benefit a room in lots of ways. Not only are they considerably more durable than regular styles, but they add textural appeal to a space, too.

Plus, natural rugs have a way of grounding rooms with a calming elegance. If there's a room in your home that feels busy, consider styling a natural rug on the floor to soften and ground the space. Our Style and Trends Editor Charlotte Olby plans on doing just that in her home this year. 'I've been guilty of always picking up 'hero' pieces in my own home and have been left with rooms that feel like a chaotic mix of color and pattern,' she tells me. 'So, my personal New Year's resolution is to bring in some stylish background pieces. This January, I'm picking up a seagrass rug for my living room to help anchor my myriad of prints and patterns with a grounding warmth.'

The start of a new year acts as a perfect time to give your home a refresh, and with Shea's tips, you can do just that in no time. By changing your sheets, restyling your shelves, and swapping an old rug for a new, natural style, you can give your home renewed energy for the year to come.

When Shea McGee talks, the design world listens – and, more often than not, her interior design trend predictions are right on the nose.

So when I spotted her take to the Studio McGee Instagram to share a few design ins and outs for 2026, I listened up. Shea was quick to confess she 'doesn’t like doing outs,' so, rather than declaring particular trends dead and buried (well, perhaps there's one...), she instead sees this as an insight into the McGee direction for the year ahead. Here's everything she had to say.

Shea's ins all point to a 2026 filled with personality.

Think pattern piled on more pattern, a renewed love for traditional, characterful details, and silver accents stepping in to shake up brass’s long solo performance. It’s less about hard-and-fast trends, more a permission to loosen up a little.

And if there is a villain in her story, it’s the bland uniformity of stark white and cool grays that can make a home feel like a dental practice.

Her 2026 reset points toward warmth, contrast, and character. Eclectic, not themed; collected, not coordinated – music to my ears.

Shea McGee's Design Ins and Outs for 2026

IN: Pattern on Pattern

In the past few years, interiors have played it pretty safe. Shea's first "in" for 2026 is an encouragement to be a little less restrained.

Decorating with patterns is something no designer is a stranger to, but in 2026, Shea wants to see pattern ON pattern with a harmonious mix of patterns, and even a touch of pattern drenching (similar to color drenching, where you wash the entire room in one print).

Mixing stripes with florals or a small geometric with a traditional tapestry print adds depth that a single fabric simply in a scheme can’t manage alone. Start with two patterns that share a color family, then vary the scale so they can mix happily rather than shout over one another.

OUT: Stark White & Cool Gray

While Shea was reluctant to name her "outs", at the top of her list is putting an end to stark white and cool gray interiors.

Decorating with white once ruled our homes, and while we did transition slightly to beige (hello, quiet luxury), neutrals are still out of favor. And of course, gray interiors have been out of style and phasing out for the past few years, and are the quickest way to date a home in 2026.

So in order to avoid flat and joyless spaces, we're taking Shea's lead by warming up schemes with softer yellow-toned or pink-based neutrals and actual color.

IN: Traditional Details

Her second “in,” traditional details, is no major surprise.

We've been fans of antique and vintage details in homes for a while now, so the transition into moldings, heritage silhouettes, archways, and classic design proves that these timeless features are more than welcome in modern homes.

You can take a leaf out of Shea's book and add in some arched walkways and trims in your space, or for smaller accents like turned table legs, wall paneling, and living finishes like unlacquered brass on candlesticks and hardware to bring in some traditional decor pieces.

OUT: Matching Finishes

Her second out is my personal bugbear: matching finishes throughout the home.

A house that coordinates every metal from the front door to the towel rail, each paint color from top to bottom, feels like a soulless showroom – and matching furniture sets are far from the flex you think they are in 2026.

Shea’s mix-and-match approach is far more fun, and it mirrors how most of us really live – collecting and adding pieces over the years from different sources, interior design styles, and eras to keep things interesting and personal.

IN: Silver Accents

Finally, decorating with silver comes in to steal the spotlight from brass.

Whether you choose chrome, nickel, or stainless steel, this chic metallic accent brings a crisp contrast that feels so fresh for 2026.

Shea prefers to introduce silver through small hero pieces like candlestick holders, lanterns, or picture frames, but there's also a big push toward stainless steel kitchens as seen in some of the most stylish homes.

Silver has a way of invigorating cozy spaces and helping provide a balance between vintage or wooden pieces, like a shot of espresso for an otherwise sleepy scheme.

OUT: Themed Interiors

Finally, she's waving goodbye to overly themed interiors, and I couldn't agree more.

A uniform, rigid theme for a home can quickly lean into predictable and, well, a little cringe, depending on how the space is styled. Instead, Shea makes the case for eclectic schemes and collecting things you love to pull your rooms together.

Homes should feel lived-in, layered, and like a reflection of the people that live there, rather than a cookie-cutter formula.

Shea McGee's 2026 ins and outs aren't about policing your cushions or judging your wall paint. Instead, she gives permission to color and pattern, mix in what you love, and embrace the quirks that make a home feel like yours.

As a new year begins, I love turning to my favorite designers to see what’s ahead – what trends we’ll leave behind and what’s poised to surprise us. When it comes to entertaining, Shea McGee’s top design predictions for 2026 point to one thing: fancy tablescapes. I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready to embrace a little extravagance this year.

'While I don't love the word "trend", I do think there are details that keep design feeling fresh,' explains Shea in a recent video. 'I've identified ones that are still rooted in tradition and are very much a part of our new heritage aesthetic.'

Plenty of design elements receive honorable mentions in the video, from dark wood to silver accents and blue tones – but tying it all together is the 'fancy tablescape' look, which Shea has named one of the biggest table decor trends of 2026. It's part of what she calls the 'Hollywood cottage' aesthetic, and it's about to bring plenty of old-world glamor to dining spaces this year.

My favorite designers aren’t just trend followers – they set the trends themselves. Shea McGee has done exactly that with the 'Hollywood cottage' look. It perfectly captures all of her 2026 predictions, creating what she calls an 'elegant and curated' aesthetic. Translated to tablescapes, that means antique-inspired pieces, paired with silver serveware and sumptuous linens, for a look that feels effortlessly luxurious.

Naturally, there's plenty of inspiration to be found at McGee & Co, from the vintage-inspired Artois silver flatware set to a wonderfully glamorous clamshell serving dish and 3-tier glass serving tray. It looks like the tableware in my hosting closet is about to get a Hollywood-inspired makeover – and I can't wait to channel the 'fancy tablescape' trend at my future dinner parties. If you're keen to do the same, you can shop a selection of my favorite McGee & Co pieces below.

Shop Shea McGee's 'Fancy Tablescape' Look at McGee & Co

For those seeking further inspiration from leading designers, Shea McGee has also unveiled her top kitchen trends for 2026 – all focused on cultivating spaces that are timeless, inviting, and effortlessly sophisticated.

When designing any room, it’s the biggest pieces that naturally come first. In the living room, it’s a couch; in the kitchen, it’s your cabinets; and in the bedroom, designer Shea McGee has made it clear it’s the bed.

'When I’m putting together a bedroom look, I always start with the bed selection first because I want to know my client’s preferences. Do they like a cushioned headboard? Do they want the grandeur of a canopy bed? I ask a lot of questions about what they’re looking for stylistically and comfort-wise. This becomes the anchoring focal point of the entire space,' Shea explains in her recent Instagram video, in which she walks through all the details of her own bedroom.

The right headboard or bed frame anchors a bedroom; it’s the focal point of the space. Not to mention, it has to be practically right, too. Delving into all things scale, style, and size-related, Shea shares her tips on selecting the most important piece of furniture in your home.

The first and foremost thing to pay attention to when selecting a frame or headboard is scale. Considering how it will sit in your bedroom is paramount – the last thing you want is a bed that overwhelms your space or doesn't fill the area properly so you have a bed that kind of floats in a sea of wall space. Actually often going bigger than you think can often be the better choice.

Look at the potential space around the bed frame. You likely want your bed to be positioned within the focal point of the room, so note what your eye is naturally drawn to. Are there any windows or alcoves your bed could sit between? These features will help you decide on the size and shape of your bed frame.

In Shea's case, her bedroom features two huge windows that make for the natural position for the bed. As Shea explains, 'With my headboard (Shea has the Walt Bed Tall Headboard in Praline Velvet), I have these two tall windows flanking where our bed goes. So whatever I choose, it’s really important that I get some height in the middle so it doesn’t feel like this big drop in the focal point between the height of my window and what’s happening between them.'

As the largest piece of furniture in the bedroom, choosing your bed frame will inevitably set the tone of the room. To ensure your scheme feels cohesive and connected, always consider your current pieces and what will work alongside them. A vintage four-poster bed might feel out of place among modern decor – similarly, a mid-century wooden frame could clash with a more traditional bedside table or wardrobe.

View your bed as the starting point of the room’s design – it will determine everything else, allowing your later furnishings and furniture to fall into place accordingly. Shea suggests considering the style of your headboard according to your tastes and the look you’re trying to achieve.

Think about your interior design style to ensure your headboard aligns with your other pieces. Lovers of heritage might opt for a tartan-covered bed, whereas minimalists may prefer a sleeker, neutral frame. As Shea says, 'You've got to get to know yourself and what you love. Do you love tufting because you like more of a glam look? Do you like something smooth? Do you like the stately look of a high headboard, or the temporary feel of something low?' There's plenty of exciting headboard trends to help inspire your decision.

Shape, size, and color are all key factors to consider – but pay attention to the material of your bed, too. Whether it’s a textured rattan (perfect in a coastal bedroom) or a smooth leather that’s soft to the touch, think about what would work best both visually and practically.

In the case of Shea’s bedroom, she explains, 'I love an upholstered headboard because, for me, I like to sit up and read, scroll on my phone for a second, do some online shopping. So having an upholstered headboard is a really great start.'

Shop the McGee & Co Bedroom Sale

Creating an effortlessly chic bedroom needn't cost a fortune, these six picks from McGee & Co's 25% off bedroom sale will make designing your dream sleep space an inspiring and achievable mission.

When designing your bedroom, Shea McGee's advice couldn't be simpler to implement: start with the bed, and make it personal. As well as all her practical advice on picking the right position and scale, she makes the very important point of choosing a bed that fits how you use it.

It's the turn of the year – a time for reflection on the past and excitement for the future. In the world of interior design, it's a time when industry experts unveil what interior design trends they think will dominate in the year to come – and Shea McGee is ready with her predictions.

In a recent video posted to YouTube, the designer shared a list of design trends that excite her the most for 2026. 'These are things I'm really inspired by, and have been inspired by for quite some time, so you'll see them start to pop up in Studio McGee projects and McGee & Co. products,' the designer explained in her video.

Shea recognizes that trends can be a point of contention in interior design, as many designers and homeowners alike prefer timeless decorating ideas over fleeting fads. 'While I don't love the word 'trend', I do think that there are details that keep design feeling fresh,' Shea explains, and the details that she mentions in her video will certainly keep design fresh in the new year.

Below, we've highlighted five of the key trends Shea's eager to use and see more of in 2026. These trends are 'rooted in tradition,' according to Shea, and they lean into the designer's 'new heritage' aesthetic.

1. Silver Accents

Decorating with silver has always been a popular choice in interior design – there's something so sophisticated and stylish about the sleek shimmer of anything with a silver finish. That said, Shea thinks that silver will have a major design moment in the new year.

In her video, Shea explains that she's starting to incorporate silver everywhere – from her fashion and accessory choices to how she styles the home. 'While I still love unlacquered brass and antique brass finishes, we're just seeing a lot more silver come into the home space,' she says. According to Shea, the best way to adopt this trend is through the little accessories, like silver tabletop trinkets or silver lighting details. Because of silver's shine, a little goes a long way.

Shea makes an important distinction in her video – 'when I say silver, I mean true silver, not a chrome finish,' she says. Although the chrome decor trend has been in the spotlight for quite a while, it's time for a softer, warmer metallic trend to take over, and that trend is silver.

2. Pattern on Pattern

Because of the recent influx of designers and homeowners wanting to create spaces that feel personal, unique, and full of character, decorating with pattern has been on the up. And while patterns will continue to make waves in the interior design space in 2026, Shea thinks we'll be using pattern a bit differently than before – by layering pattern on pattern.

'I've always been a fan of pattern, but right now we're seeing a resurgence of it in a really traditional form, which is layering pattern on wallpaper, the upholstery, and the pillows,' Shea explains. 'There are bold patterns being layered together, and often, it's a floral print.' This pattern drenching trend is a unique approach to using pattern in interior design. Rather than mixing patterns, this trend uses the same pattern in different forms across the room, creating a sense of continuity and layered cohesion in the space.

Since the pattern on pattern trend can be bold and busy, it might be best to try it out in small spaces that are eager for some excitement, like confidence zones.

3. Blue

I know what you're thinking – how is blue a new trend? Trust me, it's not. And Shea doesn't think so, either. However, Shea explains that over the past few years, blue and green have taken turns as the 'it' color. And in 2026, Shea thinks decorating with blue will take charge as the dominant color of the year.

'I am seeing blue come back in a big way in all shades,' the designer explains. She mentions how she's seen light, powdery blues as a kitchen cabinet trend for the new year, as well as traditional blue and white decor details as a trend for the rest of the home. 'It's timeless, it's classic, but right now, it feels fresh because I think we've moved away from it over the last couple of years,' Shea says of using blue in interior design.

Blue has and always will be a desirable color trend for interior design. But according to Shea McGee, 2026 will be year for it to shine.

4. Dark Wood Stains

'This is something that I have called out for the last few years,' Shea says of the dark wood stain trend. The designer explains that she loves repeating trends like this one because they're proof that trends don't have to be short-lived, fleeting fads that last less than a year. It's part of the design cycle for things to be popular for a few years, fade out of popularity, and then become desired once again. Just like dark wood stains.

'We've seen dark woods really start to make a comeback and right now especially we're just seeing a lot of it,' Shea explains. Dark wood tones are rich, they invite depth, and according to Shea, they 'add a lot of character to a home,' whether that be in the form of large furniture, side tables, stools, or even tabletop decor.

'I hope to continue to see more of that brought into the home – whether it’s furniture or the finishes,' Shea says of dark wood stains.

5. 'Hollywood Cottage'

If all of the above trends could be incorporated into one space, they'd create a distinct look that Shea hopes to see in 2026 – an aesthetic that she's titled 'Hollywood cottage'. 'Imagine a space with seagrass rugs, slip-covered sofas, breezy, linen drapes, vintage-inspired florals, blue and white accents, and silver,' Shea describes. 'When they're brought together, it evokes a definite mood.' That mood is Hollywood cottage.

Although we've seen many variations of the cottagecore trend over the last few years, Shea explains that the Hollywood cottage look is slightly different. 'This is 'cottage', but with a fanciness applied to it,' the designer says.

There are layers to the Hollywood cottage look. At its core, it's inviting and comfortable – like a lived-in cottage. However, little additions of glamour reflect the 'Hollywood' aspect of the name. These glamorous additions include silver details, rich, vintage florals, and even blue and white ceramics.

'Together, all of these layers feel elegant and curated, but you can also make them feel really lived-in and comfortable as well,' Shea says of the Hollywood cottage aesthetic.

Shea McGee's design predictions for 2026 are not momentary, fleeting trends that will be forgotten come 2027. Instead, her predictions are well-informed ideas that have the capacity to define style in the new year, and years to come.

When I spoke to designers about how they rethink their homes after Christmas, it became clear that there is one thing they all agree on: they start looking forward to spring. So while it may still feel like we are coming out of a post-Christmas fog, the timing really couldn't be better for Shea McGee's new collection at Target.

The new pieces certainly create that fresh spring feeling, leaning decidedly coastal with a touch of whimsy through colorful florals and classic ginghams. Some of the pieces read a little bolder than we are used to from the designer known for warm neutrals, but it's a welcome change for the season ahead.

The spring collection features everything from larger furniture items like the Gingham Skirted Ottoman to smaller decorative pieces in the form of Ruffle Edge Throw Pillows and a charming Shell Table Lamp, just to name a few.

There are still plenty of nods to Shea's classic style, with natural materials and textures introduced through the Woven Scalloped Basket and beautifully designed photo frames, as well as a few wrought iron pieces that add a striking contrast to the softer textures.

It's the perfect collection to transition from the deeper tones and thicker fabrics of winter into the lighter, brighter spirit of spring. Here are a few of our favorite pieces we're adding to cart immediately.

The entire collection drops today, so take a look and check out with your favorites – the most coveted pieces always sell out super quick. Plus, these pieces will help to inspire your home's spring colors for the season.

I can't be the only keen host with a tendency to get carried away during the festive season. I spend months feverishly adding to my mood board, and when it's finally time to host holiday gatherings, my Christmas table decor ideas can become rather elaborate. After a simple tip from Shea McGee, however, I think I've finally figured out how to create a picture-perfect tablescape that still feels warm and inviting.

Balancing elegance with a more relaxed feel is tricky at the best of times, but Shea McGee's secret weapon is surprisingly simple. In a recent video shared on the Studio McGee Instagram, Shea explains that she always relies on one key element: texture.

It might sound straightforward, but Shea's advice has really stayed with me. Every designer knows how to balance core elements like color, depth, and pattern – but texture really can be transformative.

'When I'm setting up for the holidays, I always like to do a more formal tablescape, because I think it makes the event feel special and memorable,' Shea explains in the video. 'But there always has to be an element of feeling relaxed, as well – which is why I love to incorporate woven textures, because it's a nice juxtaposition.'

Just like the rustic pieces that adorn Shea's 'festive farmhouse' table, these additions can bring instant warmth to a scheme, creating a look that maintains a sense of sophistication while still feeling utterly inviting.

'When it comes to holiday hosting, we love adding small, unexpected details that make guests feel special and welcome,' writes Shea in the caption. 'Layers, woven textures or a simple ribbon can bring just the right touch of festive charm without feeling overdone.'

To me, it's all about softening the edges. Think literally: McGee & Co's Nevelyn fringed tablecloth is the perfect, cottagecore-style example, paired with lace trim napkins and braided placemats. You can even bring woven textures to serveware and glassware, too. Tuckernuck's seagrass highball glasses are real statement pieces with the seagrass detail, not to mention Pottery Barn's handwoven serving set, which brings a rustic touch to the table.

In a more abstract sense, however, textures can 'soften' a more polished scheme to bring personality to your table. I've learnt that a more casual look can be perfect for the holidays, allowing guests to come together and unwind.

From Shea's chair bow trick to her hydrangea Christmas tree decor idea, I'd say she knows exactly how to add stunning textures into any space – and I'll be taking her advice this year to create an effortlessly magical tablescape.

Shop Shea McGee-Inspired Textured Tableware

Looking for more expert-approved hacks for the holiday season? We've pulled together the ultimate guide to Christmas hosting, from food prep to decor ideas.

For those of us who like to deck the halls as early as November, the countdown to Christmas can feel like a marathon – and as the anticipation builds, so does my eagerness to host a truly spectacular holiday gathering. (What can I say; I just can't wait to finally show off my Christmas table decor ideas). This year, however, one particular design feature will be making its debut in my home: dining chair bows, inspired by Shea McGee.

Having already crowded my mood board with images of Shea McGee's 'festive farmhouse' table, it's safe to say that I was thrilled to get another peek at Shea's Christmas setup for 2025. But in a recent Instagram post from Studio McGee, it wasn't the tableware that caught my eye: this time, I was won over by the silk velvet ribbons adorning Shea's Marisol dining chairs. Channelling the nostalgic luxury of the Ralph Lauren Christmas decor trend, this simple detail brings instant elegance to any table, and I can't wait to recreate it.

'Designing a dining space is all about balance,' writes Shea in the caption of the post. 'We want it to feel comfortable enough for everyday meals, but special enough to gather and celebrate.'

To me, this is what a simple addition like a velvet bow can add to a tablescape: a sense of effortless opulence, creating a setup that feels elevated and yet utterly inviting. The Christmas bow decor trend is as popular as ever this year, and tying a few oversized bows onto your dining chairs is a quick and affordable way to get the look.

'I've gone a little bow-tastic this Christmas, so naturally, Shea's look is right up my street,' says H&G's Style Editor, Charlotte Olby. 'I've got a set of vintage pine chairs with a heart carved out of the back, so I'm going to try and follow Shea's new Christmas bow tutorial and create some oversized bows to loop through the hearts.'

Shea McGee proved that bows are back for Christmas after using them to accessorize both her tree and her mantel – she even took to displaying them on her porch (Shea's outdoor Christmas bows are a real beauty).

I must admit, though, that the dining chair bow look is my favorite take on the trend: it's totally customizable, and it adds the perfect finishing touch to your table, whether you create a pared-back look or a maximalist masterpiece. Below, I've set out everything you need to recreate Shea's look, so you can add some flair to your dining space this Christmas.

Shop Everything You Need to Create Shea McGee-Inspired Dining Chair Bows

Finding new ways to show off velvet ribbons isn't the only design lesson I've learnt from Shea McGee's holiday home this year – take it from me: Shea's hydrangea Christmas tree decorations don't disappoint.

Classic dishes will always earn a spot on my holiday table, but I'm keen to serve up a few surprises this Christmas. It might sound risky, but I have a trick up my sleeve: Shea McGee's pork tenderloin recipe, which calls for a rather unexpected ingredient that I know my guests will love.

While the Christmas hosting countdown might not seem like the time to experiment, Shea's recipe combines a few beloved flavors to produce a hearty, indulgent dish. The secret? Hot honey and apple butter – a combination that's eternally tempting, undeniably comforting, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

'I love hot honey on everything,' says Shea in a recipe video shared on her Instagram. The marinade is, she explains, 'the best part of this dish. You can do a quick marinade for 30 minutes, but I think overnight or at least three hours is ideal.'

To ensure the dish is packed with as much flavor as possible, Shea even sets half of the marinade aside to use as a dressing once the pork is cooked.

You might expect to see a hot honey and apple butter marinade on a comforting fall menu rather than a holiday spread, but Shea's recipe feels like a timeless choice to me. I'll never say no to the sweet-and-spicy delights of hot honey, and I'm happy to indulge in harvest-inspired flavors long after winter sets in.

Plus, as Shea notes in her pork tenderloin recipe post on the Studio McGee blog, the recipe is 'a complete, no-sides-needed meal which comes together quickly – perfect for this wonderfully busy stretch of the year.'

Once the meat has been marinated, Shea sears it on the burner while roasting chopped shallots, potatoes and apples. She then adds the pork loin to the vegetable mixture and places everything back in the oven.

'You can finish this dish in two ways: in more of a salad form, or you can create a beautiful presentation on a platter,' Shea explains. In the video, she arranges slices of pork loin on McGee & Co's scalloped Veridien serving platter before adding chives, arugula, and that all-important hot honey dressing.

'This dish is comfort food with a kick,' concludes Shea on her blog. 'It's effortless, elevated, and exactly what this time of year calls for.' I know my holiday menu is about to get an upgrade – and who doesn't love a touch of spice during the Christmas season?

Shea McGee's Hot Honey Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 (1 ¼ to 1 ½ pound) pork tenderloins
• For the marinade:
• ½ cup hot honey
• ¼ cup apple butter
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves
• 3 tsp kosher salt
• For the vegetables:
• 1-pound yellow baby potatoes
• 1 Honeycrisp apple
• 3 shallots
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• To serve:
• 1 cup arugula
• ¼ cup finely minced chives

Method

• To make the marinade:
• Combine the hot honey, apple butter, vinegar, and ¼ cup of the oil in a bowl. 
• Finely mince the garlic, then add to the marinade along with 3 tsp salt.
• Mix to combine. Set aside a ½ cup of the marinade for serving.
• To prepare the meat:
• Use a fork to prick the pork tenderloins several times on each side, then place them in a bowl or disposable plastic bag. Add the portion of marinade and toss to coat.
• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight.
• To prepare the vegetables:
• Preheat your oven to 425°F.
• Slice the baby potatoes in half, core and slice the apple into eighths, and peel and halve each bulb of the shallots.
• Toss the vegetables with the remaining 2 tbsp oil and remaining 1 tsp salt, then add to an 18 x 13-inch sheet pan, making sake sure each potato is face-down.
• To cook:
• Roast the vegetables for 23 to 25 minutes, or until the tops of the onion and apple start to deeply char.
• Meanwhile, warm a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the tenderloins from the marinade and sear both sides until golden (about 4 minutes each or 8 minutes total).
• Nestle the tenderloins onto the sheet pan with the vegetables and place it back into the oven for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are extremely tender and the meat's internal temperature is 140°F.
• Remove the pan from the oven and let the pork rest for about 5 minutes.  
• To serve:
• Slice the tenderloin and serve it on a platter surrounded by potatoes, apples, and shallots.
• Top with the minced chives, a pile of arugula, and use the remaining marinade to drizzle over the dish as a dressing.

Shop Everything You Need to Make Shea's Pork Tenderloin

Looking for more festive recipes? Check out Lucinda Scala Quinn's modern guide to the Feast of the Seven Fishes – it's a glorious way to kick off your Christmas celebrations.

For design enthusiasts, Shea McGee is like our Mrs. Claus. She has a way of making even the simplest festive detail feel impossibly chic and oh-so easy to copy –⁠ and this year, it’s her velvet-trimmed asymmetrical Christmas mantel that’s quickly stolen the show.

After plenty of begging in the comments on her holiday home posts, the designer has finally given us the tutorial we've been waiting on: how to make a bow for our Christmas mantels (and trees and wreaths) the Shea way.

In Studio McGee's latest Instagram video, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it tutorial, she shows us how to perfect her loopy bows for an elaborate yet effortless Christmas vignette. So, if you’re looking to recreate her chic look at home, this little ribbon detail might be your new favorite styling trick.

A few weeks ago, in this Christmas decor video, Shea showed how she brought the entire Christmas mantel to life.

‘I wanted this really huge statement off to one side of my mantel,' Shea explains in the video. Layering up five (yes, five!) garlands to build up her display, she then pulled lengths down to one side to create an asymmetrical design that helps to balance the proportions of her impressive stone fireplace.

To the right of the mantel, she hangs five of McGee & Co.'s McCallister Stockings using Command hooks from Amazon, and finishes the look with a big ivory bow.

While Shea doesn't totally break down the ribbon-tying step-by-step in the video, it's actually pretty easy to follow along. She uses a wide, 4-inch ivory velvet ribbon –⁠ this 4" Ivory Velvet and Satin Wired Ribbon from Etsy is a near match, while Wayfair's Raw Edge Velvet Ribbon gives a slightly more rustic look –⁠ which has enough body to hold its shape while still draping beautifully.

Rather than tying a traditional single bow, Shea appears to make two large, loose bows separately, each with generous loops and long trailing tails. 'Just decide how many loops you want, shape them with your fingers, and it comes together effortlessly,' she advises in the caption.

Then, she stacks them together and secures them with an extra piece of ribbon, creating one ultra-full bow with twice the movement and texture that gets tucked up under her foliage (presumably with another Command hook!).

Against the depth of the greenery, which looks like the McGee & Co.'s Pinecone and Berries Faux Garland and the Norfolk Pine Faux Garland layered together, and her roaring fire, the ivory bow is the perfect finishing touch to add some romance and drama.

The beauty of this method is how adaptable it is. Because the bows are tied individually, you can play with the size of the loops, the length of the tails, and even the direction the ribbon falls –⁠ perfect whether you're dressing a mantel, a wreath, or tying long velvet strands to trail of the branches of your Christmas tree.

Shop the Look

So if you’re looking to add a touch of softness or a hint of romance to your holiday decor this year, consider the bow trend. You can find an edit of 24 pretty bow pieces to shop here, and if you're after more Shea-approved ideas, check out Shea's outdoor Christmas bows for extra drama.

December has only just begun, but as a huge fan of all things festive, I'm working to transform my home into a holiday wonderland, fast. Fortunately, Shea McGee's 2025 Christmas tree looks have come to my rescue, and there's one thing I can't wait to add to my own tree this year: hydrangeas.

Ok, that might come as a surprise, but when it comes to Christmas tree ideas, ribbons, garlands, and even pearls have all been on my mood board for months. It was, in fact, McGee and Co's Christmas bow decor that inspired me, followed swiftly by Anthropologie's pearl holiday decor collection. So, why not flowers?

In a recent Instagram video, Shea shared a rare behind-the-scenes look at her holiday decorations, and I couldn't help but notice the huge hydrangeas that graced her tree. It's the kind of imaginative and yet timeless look I adore, and I'll be stocking up on supplies to recreate her look while McGee & Co's faux hydrangea stems are 30% off.

Beginning with Shea's magnificent porch, the video quickly pans to the McGee family's living room, which is decked out with garlands, string lights, and bows. To finish off their Christmas tree, Shea can be seen carrying two huge buckets of faux hydrangeas – and they create the most luxurious, organic look when nestled amongst the branches.

It's no surprise that the McGees have leaned into a more rustic scheme; just take a look at Shea's 'festive farmhouse' Christmas table, after all. What I love about this look, however, is that it can complement any design style, whether you love to spotlight flowers and foliage in your decor or you prefer to keep things traditional. You could even learn how to dry hydrangeas if you're keen to try out a DIY Christmas craft idea.

Shea's secret is an understated color palette. The hydrangeas bring soft cream tones to her tree, creating the perfect backdrop for the rest of her Christmas decorating ideas. When styled with classic ornaments in earthy neutral tones – and finished with some oversized red ribbons – the tree really comes to life, offering a nature-inspired take on festive elegance.

While you can recreate Shea's look using any kind of flower, I think the hydrangeas are a stroke of genius. Not only do they bring an additional textural touch to the tree, but they also help the branches to look lush and full (a handy detail, since Shea's tree is artificial rather than real). I've never added foliage to my tree before, but I can't wait to try this out using McGee & Co's faux hydrangea stems.

Shop Shea McGee's Rustic Christmas Tree Essentials

If you're on the lookout for more clever ways to transform your tree, try the vertical Christmas tree lighting hack. Trust me, it's the alternative way to light your tree without getting in a tangle and it might just change the way you decorate forever.

This year, I found myself craving a more decorative, characterful alternative to the bulky Christmas tree stand I've had in the attic for years. My house is far from modern, so I was looking for something with vintage charm that would tie in with my storied style.

So when I stumbled upon Shea McGee’s beautifully styled Christmas entryway in her recent Instagram post, complete with a miniature Christmas tree in a vintage-style Chinoiserie Planter from McGee & Co., I thought, of course, Shea has the solution.

Shea's planter is currently out of stock, but it's not stopping me from investing in the look. There are so many similar options (listed below), but this ornate piece from Wayfair is my current favorite. It's a real heirloom piece that will look beautiful beyond December and it's the last chance to grab it on sale.

Inspired, I started looking at my own Christmas set-up with fresh eyes. If a simple swap of pot could elevate the entire festive vignette, why was I settling for anything less? The delicate ginger-jar style blue-and-white pattern gives this small seasonal moment so much charm and would be so easy to recreate with a stylish new (or thrifted) find.

'This entryway look really sets the tone for my Christmas vision this year,' Shea explains in the video. 'The blue and white ginger jars, this deep red silk, accents of silver throughout, and a mix of old and new.'

As she describes, Shea's Christmas decor this year, while remaining utterly festive, takes its cues from quite unexpected Christmas colors. Of course, there is plenty of red and green, but peppered into the mix is a touch of timeless blue-and-white that you don't often see in holiday decorating. Add in some unexpected chrome, and you've got quite the unique yuletide palette.

Shea's Gilded Pear Ornaments on her mini tree are currently sold out, but you can easily recreate the look with this set of 4 Sugared Pear Tree Ornaments from Crate & Barrel, and add a touch of red with this Velvet Ribbon from Wayfair, dried oranges, and some thrifted gilded frames.

The vintage-style Chinoiserie Planter also taps into that 'collected over time' feeling I'm chasing. It makes the tree look as if it belongs there year-round rather than being propped up just for December.

Unfortunately, Shea's exact pot has now sold out in the Cyber Monday sales, but you can join the waitlist for its return –⁠ and shop our list of stylish alternatives below.

After seeing how transformative this one Christmas tree styling choice can be, I’m convinced a beautiful pot or planter is the secret to making a tree look elevated. Whether you prefer something dainty and painted or bold and oversized, a blue-and-white pot is the perfect place to start.

While Shea's pot is suited to a miniature tabletop tree, there are plenty of bigger alternatives out there. And sure, this is a pricier route than simply picking up a Christmas tree skirt, but this is a piece of decor you'll be able to use year-round (indoor or out!) to display potted plants, or fill with decorative objects and style up on a shelf. Making the cost-per-use way better than your usual seasonal shopping.

Below, I’ve rounded up some Chinoiserie-style pots that capture the same timeless charm.

Shop Blue-and-White Christmas Tree Pots

I love that this simple swap is a detail I can reinvent season after season. Once the holidays are over, the pot becomes a timeless accent for houseplants, flowers, or simply displayed on its own, which makes it feel far more worthwhile than another seasonal accessory destined for storage.

Plus, styling a tree inside a beautiful blue-and-white pot feels both nostalgic and fresh, adding a vintage Christmas look that is hard to replicate with a boring tree stand.

This holiday season, the well-loved Christmas bow decor trend is back and better than ever. Of course, we'll continue to see these delicate details adorn Christmas trees, wreaths, and other indoor holiday displays, but Shea McGee has inspired a new wave of bow styling – this time, outside on the front porch.

The designer recently took to Instagram to share her Christmas porch decor idea that includes a stylish arrangement of bows. Around her front door hangs a bushy strand of evergreen garland, and within that strand are several draping red ribbon bows that add a level of classic Christmas charm to the display. Not only that, but on either side of the door are two miniature trees with matching bows tied on top of them – the perfect complementary detail to Shea's outdoor holiday decor setup.

One of the best things about Shea's outdoor Christmas display is that it's not overly complex in its design. The designer worked with Christmas decor staples – garland, a wreath, and miniature evergreen trees – and simply added some bows to enhance the overall look.

Even with the inclusion of a popular holiday decor trend, this Christmas porch doesn't feel overly trendy. That's because Shea stuck to the classic Christmas color palette of red and green. It's a simple styling moment that makes a substantial impact on the look of the home.

But the best part? This holiday arrangement is extremely easy to recreate. With a long strand of Christmas garland (like this 6' Cedar Pre-Lit Faux Garland) and a spool of red ribbon (this Faux Silk Ribbon from Etsy can get you the same look), you can create your very own rendition of Shea's classically elegant Christmas porch.

Shop The Look

Year after year, you can guarantee McGee & Co.'s holiday collection will sell out really quickly, and stocks are especially low right now as there is a huge 50% off the collection in the McGee & Co. Black Friday sales.

However, I have done some digging to find the pieces that are left in stock, plus a few more buys that will help you recreate her timeless, chic aesthetic in your own porch.

Shea porch takes a classic look that we've so far been seeing all over the most stylish trees of 2025 and takes it outdoors, combining plenty of evergreen and pops of deep red to create a scene that's timeless yet playful. And it's such a simple look to recreate with a handful of ribbon and plenty of greenery.

I'll never pass up an opportunity to entertain, but I can start to get a little particular about my table decor during the holiday rush. It feels a bit like re-wearing an old outfit: How do you create a look that feels fresh without spending a lot on new pieces?

When it comes to Christmas table decor ideas, I've been using a trusty trick I learnt from McGee & Co last year. In a short Instagram video, Shea McGee shared her 'no-fail approach' to table centerpieces – and it's really stuck with me.

The hack involves just a few easy styling rules; and rather than calling for bouquets of fresh flowers or piles of new tableware, the entire look comes together with pieces you likely already own. Think antique brass candle holders like these from McGee & Co, paired with a statement bowl or tray.

'I'm often asked how to style a dining table when you're not using a formal floral arrangement,' says Shea in the video. The key, she reveals, is 'pairing groupings': creating combinations of pieces with different heights, silhouettes, and textures.

'I usually look for a group of two: one taller thing and a shorter thing,' she explains. 'Maybe it's a larger vase and a bowl – a vase that looks good with or without flowers, and a bowl that looks good with or without fruit in it.'

To recreate Shea's festive farmhouse look, I'd start with McGee & Co's elegant Delphine footed vase paired with the Olindo serving bowls for a contrasting silhouette. If you're after a more rustic look, try a round ceramic vase and a lower, wider bowl like the Dion serving bowl.

'I also look at a grouping of three,' continues Shea. 'This is potentially a pair of taper candles – those look good lit or unlit – and then I'll pair them with something lower, placing a tray or a bowl next to them.'

Taper candles are one of Shea's top hosting hacks for fall 2025, and they're a reliable way to elevate any tablescape. Choose thin taper candles for a dainty, minimalist scheme, or introduce some texture to your table using a twisted taper candle set.

You can experiment with the colors, of course, and invest in a few statement candle holders to tie the look together. (I would group a handsome marble tray with petite Cosima taper candle holders, and add something taller like the Fey taper holder to vary the heights even further.)

Shea's table centerpiece hack proves that expert tablescaping comes down to creativity and a dash of resourcefulness. Beautiful blooms will always make an impact, but a spectacular tablescape doesn't necessarily require a trip to the florist.

By carefully combining old and new pieces, Shea creates, in her words, a 'no-fail approach to a simple dining look that you don't have to buy fresh flowers for'.

Shop Shea McGee's Table Centerpiece Essentials

If you do fancy bringing some fresh flowers or foliage to your table, you really don't need to buy them; Joanna Gaines' DIY centerpiece hack produces a magnificent arrangement using cuttings from your backyard.

Kitchen trends are perhaps some of the most fickle; the colors, shapes, and styles that are 'in' are constantly changing, and yet a kitchen is surely the room you want to feel the most stylish, so how many of these 'trends' should you follow anyway? As a Kitchen Editor, I am constantly having these conversations – what trends are fleeting and which are the timeless 'trends' you should actually pay attention to.

My designer sources tend to be the biggest influence on the trends I report on, so when I spoke with iconic designer Shea McGee about her latest kitchen project (a design itself that sparked the emerging trend for curved silhouettes), I was keen to find out which 2026 kitchen trend she is most excited about.

Three distinct styles are at the top of her list, blending enduring style with endless function and unique design. Here's what she had to say about the trends, and why she thinks they are the ones to consider.

Shea McGee's Favorite 2026 Kitchen Trends

'When it comes to design trends, I always look for what feels timeless, not temporary. I love when a design feels current without chasing what’s in,' says Shea. 'Thoughtful details, quality materials, and livable function will always outlast a trend – but there are a few directions I’m really excited about for the year ahead.'

1. Curved and Sculptural Profiles

Curves, curves, curves. We talked about them in our 2026 kitchen trends forecast, and it's a detail Shea is a particular fan of, demonstrated in her latest kitchen project we recently toured too.

'I love how soft, rounded lines bring elegance and ease to a kitchen. They break up all the straight edges and make the space feel more custom and collected – less modular, more designed,' she explains.

There are so many ways to introduce these more organic silhouettes into your kitchen. Take notes from Shea by softening the edge of your kitchen backsplash, or keep things simple with round lighting or curved furniture – the right bar stool, like McGee & Co.'s Molly Stool, can have more impact than you might think.

2. Material Richness and Layering

White kitchens were once the hallmark of a stylish home, but they have been falling a little bit flat recently. Instead, everyone is craving something warmer, more layered, and characterful. And it's a shift in trends that Shea says is perhaps the most exciting.

'We’re moving away from flat, all-white kitchens to spaces that mix natural woods, patinated metals, textured stones, and soft finishes. It’s about depth, warmth, and character – kitchens that feel lived in, not just styled,' she notes.

A few simple changes can take a white kitchen from stark to stylish. Layer wooden cutting boards as decor and marble accessories on your countertops, introduce shelving in an elegant material with brass brackets, or, if it's in the budget, install a freestanding wooden island at the center of your kitchen.

3. People-Centric Layouts and Gathering Zones

'Kitchens are the true heart of the home. I’m drawn to trends and designs that invite people in – kitchen island ideas that double as homework spaces, storage that supports real life, layouts that make everyday living easy,' Shea explains.

There are so many ways you can implement this trend, whether you're planning a remodel or a simple refresh. Comfortable island seating or the return of eat-in areas are great options, creating a small, cozy seating area for dining, socializing, and even as a homework station.

You might also want to consider dedicated zones or stations to rituals you carry out daily, whether it's a coffee bar, a breakfast prep area, or even storage specifically designed for the produce you grow in your backyard.

It's about creating a kitchen that's tailored to you, works for you, and grows with you. As Shea explains, 'That balance of function and beauty is what keeps a space feeling relevant long after the trend cycle moves on.'

Shea has called it – 2026 is the year or kitchens that are layered and offer bespoke functionality. It's an evolution of the lived-in style that has been rising for a while now, but in a more tailored, personalized way.

The festive farmhouse look is exactly what is needed to create a relaxed and heritage-inspired holiday table. It's at the heart of McGee and Co's holiday entertaining collection, and it brings a rustic touch to traditional Christmas decorating ideas. I've been desperate to try it out ever since the collection dropped, and fortunately, the brand has just shared a step-by-step styling guide courtesy of Shea McGee herself. Even better? McGee & Co's Black Friday event has begun, and all of Shea's entertaining essentials are currently discounted.

'If there's one thing I love just as much as design, it is a great meal shared around a beautiful table with family and friends,' says Shea in a recent Instagram video – and these carefully-selected pieces really will create a magnificent backdrop that's fit for any gathering.

According to Shea, every impressive tablescape begins with the linens – and while her Spencer gingham tablecloth is reminiscent of festive plaid, it's wonderfully versatile.

'The first thing I do is set the foundation for the table with a tablecloth,' explains Shea. 'I use this tablecloth all year round; the weave in it is really beautiful, and it has a nice texture.'

Then, that signature rustic flourish, which comes courtesy of McGee & Co's Hermione placemats. 'I have this really beautiful red tone, and now I want to add an organic element,' says Shea. 'We're going to do that with the placemats; I love these because they have a really delicate edge.'

Sitting proudly atop these woven placemats are Shea's gorgeous dinner plates, which she confesses are her favorite part of the look. Featuring an intricate floral design in a berry red hue, they're perhaps the most festive piece on the table – but layered with charming lace trim napkins and Argent napkin rings in brass, they take on a more subtle, country grandmother-inspired look.

'I've used brass for the napkin rings and also the place card holders, so you get matte and shine, and the tones work together,' Shea notes. She introduces another metallic accent using gold flatware, and adds a final festive touch by tying faux pine needle and berry wreaths onto the dining chairs. It's a masterclass in bringing seasonal flair to rustic design – but it's also a reminder that entertaining essentials like these really can be repurposed again and again.

Shop Shea McGee's Christmas Entertaining Essentials

If you haven't already, I'd add farmhouse chic to your list of holiday decor themes for Christmas this year – with Shea's expert tips, you're guaranteed to create a winning look.

The chicest kitchens today are anything but minimalist – they feel cozy, inviting, and rich in texture. All-white spaces may be on the sidelines, but warmer neutrals are having a moment – especially in the hands of Shea McGee, celebrated for her layered, timeless style.

Her latest project – a neutral kitchen brimming with thoughtful details – proves that muted tones can be just as striking as bolder palettes. From warm hues to curated textures and layered decor, every element works together to create a space that is both welcoming and effortlessly elegant.

Here’s how Shea McGee and her team at Studio McGee brought this warm, inviting kitchen to life–perfectly in tune with the standout kitchen trends of 2026.

'This project is a full-home remodel of a beautiful heritage property in Maryland – a place with real meaning for the client, since it’s her childhood home. Our goal was to honor the home’s history while making it work for this busy family of five,' Shea explains.

'Before the remodel, the kitchen had all the charm of an older home, but it just didn’t function for the way this family lives now. The kitchen layout had flow constraints typical of legacy homes. With three young boys, the client's main concern was making the kitchen feel both beautiful and truly functional,' she continues.

Despite the good bones of the kitchen, this project required more than just a simple refresh to create an elevated design that offered practical storage and a better flow that worked for the whole family.

Style was still a priority, and Shea embraced the look her firm, Studio McGee, is renowned for. 'In terms of style, we leaned into our signature New Heritage aesthetic – classic, collected, comfortable – and made sure the architecture felt grounded and livable.'

Now, the kitchen is a space that imbues warmth and feels artfully layered. It's pared back in all the right places, allowing the subtle details and charming textures to have their moment.

'It feels timeless yet tailored – rooted in tradition but designed for everyday life. The aesthetic is clean and fresh but layered with warmth and detail, so it doesn’t feel one-note,' says Shea.

'The whites are crisp, the wood island brings in a soft natural tone, and the architectural features (like curves) give it that custom, thoughtful feel rather than a standard fit-out. We wanted the kitchen to feel like it belongs in this heritage home, but also reflects the family that lives there today.'

Curved silhouettes are present throughout the design, from the kitchen backsplash edge to the lighting, and even the charming oval window in the corner of the room. These subtle details remove the sharpness typical of kitchen materials.

'We chose curved forms because they quietly soften the space – especially important in a kitchen where there are so many hard surfaces and straight lines. Curves help the eye move naturally around the room and avoid that feeling of just cabinetry and counters,' she explains.

'We added an arched hood over the stove and continued the curved theme in the backsplash to elevate what could’ve been a very standard white kitchen. It makes the space feel more bespoke, more intentional, and much more inviting. The oval window is so simple, but it’s smart: it brings in light, adds architectural interest, and addresses an asymmetrical kitchen layout. It solves a problem and adds beauty.'

These curvaceous forms are a big kitchen trend for 2026, and this design makes it clear why. The softness they add and the interest they create give even the most neutral kitchens depth and interest. And it's a trend that Shea is enjoying.

'I’m a big fan of how they bring character,' she says. 'But what I’m even more excited about is how curves pair with material richness and layering. When you marry a curved island or arch with warm woods, subtle metals, matte stone, and real texture – that’s where the magic happens. A trend isn’t just a shape; it’s how you integrate shape, finish, and flow.'

There's a real sense of coziness to this kitchen. The curves combined with the natural textures and the warming color palette have created a truly inviting atmosphere – something we have all come to crave as of late.

'We wanted a palette that would stand the test of time – something rooted and warm, not fleeting,' says Shea, choosing Steamed Milk by Sherwin‑Williams for the cabinets, West Highland White by Sherwin-Williams for the walls, and a warm, natural wood tone for the kitchen island.

'Natural materials and finishes were key, like the wood, brass, aged metal hardware, and softer textures in the adjoining zones. We integrated architectural character so the kitchen didn’t feel too new. The oval window balances an asymmetrical layout and adds a tailored detail,' she explains.

But above all, the design is so successful because it works for the homeowners' daily lives. It's tailored to their needs and expertly blends style and function, like the ease of flow around the island into the adjoining pantry and the carefully considered kitchen storage ideas.

'Most importantly, we designed for how the family lives: an island as a gathering spot, comfortable flow, storage that works – so every time someone enters the kitchen, it feels comfortable, not just styled,' says Shea.

'Without good function, even the most beautiful kitchen falls flat. We redesigned walls, optimized flow, and made sure it worked for daily living. Those details really matter.'

Shop the Look

With so many of 2025 and 2026's color trends leaning toward bolder, brighter choices, decorating with neutrals has taken a slight back seat. However, Shea's recent kitchen project is a reminder that neutrals are timeless, and layered with texture and shape, they can be every bit as interesting as choosing a bolder scheme.

It’s easy to make holiday decor look nice when it’s neat. But a good designer’s work rarely plays it safe – and no one understands the art of the unexpected better than Shea McGee. In a recent Instagram video, the designer pulled back the curtain on her asymmetrical Christmas mantel idea, proving once again that imperfection, done right, can feel infinitely more elegant.

‘To get this huge statement on my mantel – which is very large – it needed a lot of garland, so I did five,’ Shea explains, referencing her dramatic cascade of McGee & Co. greenery – a mix of hyper-realistic pine, pinecones, white berries, and eucalyptus. ‘I pulled three into this corner and then did an additional to kind of taper it off on each side, because I wanted that buildup in the corner.’

The vignette is gorgeously undone: one side full and cascading, the other lighter, creating a waterfall-like flow. It reads both sculptural and editorial – a cool, off-kilter balance that looks very impressive but simple to recreate.

As for the stockings, those too, follow the less-is-more philosophy. ‘I get so many questions about how I hang stockings on my mantel because it has this really thick profile,’ she says. Her secret is so simple, you might already have them in your junk drawer: 3M hooks, hidden beneath the garland for a seamless, float-like look. Naturally, she clusters the stockings to one side, balancing the lush fullness on the other.

And because it’s 2025 – definitely the year of the decorative ribbon – Shea completes the scene with an ivory satin bow, doubled for drama and tied loosely to one side in true coquette fashion.

Shop Shea's Asymmetrical Christmas Mantel

You’ve got the blueprint. Now all that’s left is to shop for the ingredients. Ahead, everything you need to recreate Shea’s artfully undone Christmas mantel.

Speaking of rewriting the holiday rulebook, Shea McGee’s proving she knows exactly which traditions to bend – and make look better in the process. Next up: her ten-foot Christmas tree, styled not in the living room, but in the entryway.

When I think about Christmas, I usually start by decorating my living room long before any other room in the house. All the festive celebrations – present-opening, game-playing, and mulled-wine-sipping – happen here, so it’s always made sense to me to put my Christmas tree in this space.

While I’m usually all about tradition, after seeing Shea McGee’s festive entryway, I’m completely rethinking where to place my tree this year. Even though it’s less conventional, Shea’s design proves that Christmas trees aren’t just for the living room.

She’s decked out her entryway with all the classic Christmas decorations – a garland, a tree, and plenty of presents. They give what’s usually just a pass-through space an entirely new feel, perfect for welcoming guests with a festive first impression. And while Shea’s entryway leans on the larger side, her ideas show that no matter how small your space may be, there are plenty of ways to add a stylish seasonal touch.

Shea completely reimagines her entryway by placing a large-scale Christmas tree at its center. Making use of the unused space beneath the staircase, she transforms an overlooked corner into a stylish and festive nook for her tree.

‘There are three ways to go big with your holiday look in your entryway this year,’ Shea explains in her Instagram post. ‘One: why not clear out what you have and put in a large Christmas tree? Decorate it, add presents – we have this beautiful new wrapping paper – and style it with a layered basket. I love how this tree came out.’

While fitting a full-size tree in every entryway might not be possible, Shea shows that even small spaces can feel festive and impactful by simply including a potted tree, like the Faux Spruce Pre-Lit Potted Tree from her holiday collection.

‘Another tip is to do a potted tree,’ she adds. ‘So, we have two trees in one space, and they work together because they’re different scales. If you don’t have room for a ten-foot Christmas tree, do a potted one – like what I have up here. You can place it on your entryway table, leave it as is, or decorate it.’

Embracing timeless Christmas decorating ideas, Shea drapes lush garlands around her bannisters, balancing the greenery with rustic accents – these Bells on Velvet Ribbon from McGee & Co would do the trick – perfect for catching the light and evoking a wintry feel.

‘We finished this look off with bells,’ Shea says. ‘If you don’t have a bannister in your entryway, there are lots of places you can put a garland. You can drape it over your entryway table, hang it on the inside of your door, or maybe you have an arch or opening that connects your entryway to the rest of your home – you can add a garland there as well.’

Shop Shea's Entryway Look

While a Christmas tree in an entryway isn't exactly traditional, Shea has proven that with the right styling and consideration of scale, it can work just as well as it does in a living room. Remember to create a designated area for your tree so it doesn't get in the way, and if you're restricted on space, add a small potted tree or some garlands for pops of greenery.

When it comes to decorating my tree, I’m a bit of a traditionalist. I like to bring out the same decorations year after year. But each new festive season, I do add a few new pieces to my collection to refresh the theme slightly, and Shea McGee has just provided all the inspiration I needed to choose this year’s new style.

Shea has revealed her four Christmas tree looks, designed to inspire the undecided (a.k.a. me). From French country to cozy classic, her tree designs for 2025 nail some of the biggest trends of the season – and recreating them at home couldn’t be easier. Here, I’ve broken down each look and included all of Shea’s recommendations so you can shop them too.

1. French Country

Decorated with dried hydrangeas and plenty of vintage-style ornaments, the first look that Shea presents is the 'French Country' themed tree. Inspired by trees of the past, it's a refreshingly elegant display, featuring an array of pale blues, creams, and golds.

Shea says, 'I'm going to show you how to style four distinct tree looks today. The first is my favorite tree this year. I have old magazine tears from the '90s of these French country trees with dried hydrangeas, and I wanted to do that in a new way this year.'

Using the 9" Norway Spruce Pre-Lit Faux Tree as her tree of choice, Shea covers it in French-style Christmas decor, from golden pears to blue and white china ornaments.

2. Heirloom Family

Shea's second tree is undeniably nostalgic. Featuring a mix of ornaments and a striking color palette, it's a real feast for the eyes. While such an array of decorations could be chaotic in theory, the color palette connects the pieces and ensures the scheme doesn't overwhelm the space.

Shea says, 'In the study, we did our Heirloom family tree. The palette is reds, blues, and an eclectic mix of ornaments. I love this because anything goes, but we bring it all together with a unified palette on the ribbons.'

Shea covers the 9" Snowy Grandis Fir Pre-Lit Faux Tree in strikingly whimsical accessories as well as more traditional metallic ornaments, perfectly balancing old with new.

3. Classic

Embracing timeless Christmas decorating ideas, Shea covers the 9' Grandis Fir Pre-Lit Faux Tree in an array of classic ornaments, from heritage-style bows to garlands of dried citrus.

Shea explains, 'This is our classic Christmas tree look. I say classic because we went really heavy with the red, green, and gold. We've done a few different garlands, we added the citrus and then mixed in this red berry that has a gold leaf surrounding it.'

Shea mixes red, green, and orange tones, creating a vibrant yet classic tree that feels familiar and still elevated. You'll notice all the typical Christmas motifs and more; the longer you gaze at it, the more it unfolds.

4. Magical Wonderland

Last but by no means least is the 'Magical Wonderland' tree, inspired by nostalgic Christmases from our childhood. Featuring whimsical ornaments and striking colors, it's a fun take on tradition.

Shea says, 'And we can't forget the kids. We created something playful and full of wonders: our magical wonderland tree, for all those special ornaments your kids make and bring home.'

Shea uses the 7' Snowy Grandis Fir Pre-Lit Faux Tree as part of her display. Featuring delicately frosted branches, it's the perfect backdrop for the bold pops of color and kitschy decorations that catch the light.

Shea McGee has covered all bases with her four Christmas tree looks. From charming nostalgia to enduringly elegant French country, no matter which one you choose, creating a memorable and uplifting display couldn't be easier with so much inspiration.

When Studio McGee leads a project, every inch of it is always masterfully designed. This was proven with their latest venture, The Gable House. After gazing far too long at the home, I was amazed by every room's charm and timeless style. However, there was one space that stood out from the rest – the rather playful dog room.

I admit, a room designed for pets is undoubtedly a luxury, but that didn't stop me from admiring the space from afar. Similar to a mudroom, this dog room design features gray panelled walls and a chic pet shower (decked out in Bedrosian's Palazzo Castle tiles from Lowes) that's perfect for post-walk cleaning.

While dedicating a whole room to your pet might be a little far-fetched, I think the design is perfect inspiration if you're looking to refresh your utility room, hallway, or even kitchen – and you'll be pleased to know that you can recreate the look with these Shea-inspired pieces.

Shea has dog-proofed the home by creating a designated area for cleaning and general pet-related activities. Although the space is highly practical (it needs to be for mucky pups), it's nice to see that no compromise has been made on style.

Not only is the wall panelling chic, tying in with the home's heritage feel, but it's a clever design choice. Instead of keeping the walls white (a rookie error for a pet room), Shea has covered the panelling in a dark sage paint (Acacia Haze by Sherwin-Williams), the perfect choice for disguising any inevitable paw prints or dirt.

Featuring a marble sink, the cleaning station is not only functional, but it also ties in with the farmhouse style. Easy to wipe, marble is a hard-wearing choice that pairs beautifully with the other tones. The dog bath is charmingly quaint with its statement tile design. It's placed conveniently beside the sink for the owner to use when needed.

Shop the look

While we aren't all lucky enough to have our own dog room, creating a designated pet station is more than possible with the right pieces. From charming dog-themed decor to everyday pet essentials, these chic (and practical) picks will help you create the ultimate pet nook in your home, inspired by Shea's enviable design.

Shea McGee designed a practical yet equally stylish dog room that would excite any pet owner. Finished with wall panelling, a marble sink and a handy built-in dog bath, the room is a pooch's (and owner's) paradise.

If I were to conjure up an image of my absolute dream office space, a heritage-inspired study decked out with antique lighting, mahogany furniture, and a moody color palette would come to mind.

A classic look that radiates timeless elegance, I'm not the only one who thinks this Ralph Lauren aesthetic works exceptionally well in a home office. Shea McGee's recent project proves that the classic Ralph Lauren aesthetic is the best choice for a work-from-home space. Every piece in her design feels sophisticated and luxurious, but the nostalgic plaid wallpaper ideas are what truly give it substance.

Shea creates my absolute dream office using not only timeless furniture, but a dark and moody color scheme and bold wallpaper. It's an inviting and inspiring workspace that is guaranteed to welcome its lucky owner.

Featured in Shea's latest project, The Gable House, the rather striking plaid wallpaper enriches the room in dark green hues. Shea says, 'The office is a pretty stark contrast against the foyer. We have dark green panelling and a plaid wallpaper – it's very Ralph Lauren-inspired.'

Shea has decorated with a moody color palette that couldn't be more in keeping with the wallpaper. The green trim and built-in furniture add to the room's seamless feel, creating an added layer of warmth and snugness. She says, 'We wrapped the entire room in this dark paint color, and then we just layered depth on top of that.' The vintage chandelier, leather desk chair and antique wooden desk add to the luxurious setting, the perfect accompaniments to contrast against the rich color palette.

Shea has been brave with her furniture choices, adding a green sofa and dark wooden furniture. While many would add paler accents to offset the dark walls, these pieces blend seamlessly into the space, adding to the room's dark and moody ambience. Shea says, 'Behind the desk area, we had room for a sofa. Instead of doing a contrast against the deep green paint color, we just leaned into that tone, and we did the Barden sofa from McGee & Co. in a dark green velvet.'

Shop the Ralph Lauren-inspired look

Shea's Ralph-Lauren-inspired office is filled with charming pieces that add to its luxurious feel. From the desk accessories to the timeless furniture, these picks are ones to add to your basket.

A beautiful example of modern heritage style, Shea's Ralph Lauren-inspired home office is breathtakingly snug. From the plaid walls to the green painted accents, everything feels seamless and well-balanced. The vintage accents that are layered throughout the space add to its luxury, creating an effortless, quiet luxury.

I used to think that nothing could be better than a vintage rug. With its innate charm and rich character, how could a new style compare? But that was before I started searching for one for my living room. I quickly realized that finding a genuine vintage rug that isn't slightly damaged or exorbitantly priced is no easy feat.

While there's many reasons as to why you should go through the effort to buy a vintage rug, I knew it wasn't realistic for me – so I began searching for new styles with vintage appeal. And just as I was starting to feel like nothing was right for my living room, I found the one – this Lost Creek Printed Paisley Rug by Shea McGee.

With its subtle fade and aged look, this rug has all the perks of a vintage style without the potential downsides. Plus, its natural blue and beige hues can invite just the right amount of color to any room. But the best part? At its largest size (7' x 10'), this rug is only $200.

There's only one downside to the vintage-inspired rug trend – it's that these styles can end up looking fake, as if they're trying way too hard to look like real vintage. However, thanks to its many glowing reviews, I know that's not the case with this rug from Shea McGee's Target collection. 'It looks even better in person,' one reviewer mentioned, and added that this rug is high quality and looks much more expensive than it actually is.

Because of this rug's vintage appeal, it might look best in a modern rustic home – its new materiality and old-timey look fall perfectly in line with that interior design style. However, this rug is a versatile option that could benefit any room in any style of home. Coastal style, modern farmhouse – whatever it is, this rug is ready to support your room's existing design.

Plus, the styling opportunities are endless with this rug. Of course, you could leave it as is and position it under the furniture in your living room, but it could be more exciting to layer the rug – perhaps with a large jute rug underneath (like this Nuloom Ashli style) for added texture and visual appeal in your space.

It's not every day that I come across a rug that looks this good and is this affordable. However, the Lost Creek Printed Paisley Rug by Shea is proof that well-made vintage-inspired rugs are out there; you just have to know where to look.

Shop More Studio McGee Rugs at Target

Shea McGee's rug collection is full of gems, aside from the Lost Creek Printed Paisley Rug. So if you're looking for something slightly different (but just as affordable), shop three more styles from her Target collection, below.

These rugs promise the charming and characterful appeal of vintage rugs without the hassle that comes along with decorating with antique textiles. But if you're dead-set on finding an one-of-a-kind vintage find, we know just where you should buy antique and vintage furniture and decor online so you can score your dream piece.

Whenever a new design lands from interior designer Shea McGee, I'm quick to pay attention. So, when she shared the elegant dining room in her latest project, I was (as always) in awe of the design, but I couldn't take my eyes off one thing in particular – the timeless wallpaper.

Proving that dining room wallpaper ideas can bring beautiful character to a space without being too overpowering, Shea's chosen floral design (MH Fabric - Juniper from Acres) quietly sings in the background yet works effortlessly to bring the whole design together.

Shea manages to create a soft, yet striking space with one clever design choice, enriching the room with that signature lived-in charm we all aspire to have. Let's delve deeper into the formula.

Featured in Shea's latest project, The Gable House, despite being an open-plan space that connects to the kitchen, the wallpaper zones the dining room, giving it its own sense of identity. Not to mention, it creates the illusion of more height, making the space feel grander and more impactful.

Shea explains, 'We carried softness into the space by doing wallpaper on all the walls. We don't have room for a lot of furniture, and so I love wallpaper to give that interest for us.' Edging far from a traditional dining room, Shea has been clever in choosing an intricate print in a muted colorway, which brings some much-needed contrast without overwhelming the room, only adding to its soft, tranquil vibe.

When I first laid eyes on the dining room, I was struck by its serene quality. From the delicate drapes to the whimsical tableware, the space has been layered with soft touches that come together in harmony. 'We did drapes around all the windows. I can see that it helps fill out and give some nice softness and layers. We have our Romany chair from McGee & Co as well as these great Slipcovered Chairs.'

Let's not forget the power of the pale palette. Although the dining room edges on the smaller side, Shea has been wise to decorate with neutrals. The soft creams, whites, and pale blues open up the space, creating the illusion of more space and airiness. It's the perfect palette to balance the intricacy of the wallpaper.

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There's no denying that Shea's dining room is effortlessly elegant. The wallpaper frames the space beautifully, creating a subtle sense of sophistication. However, with some timeless furniture and tableware, it's more than possible to recreate Shea's vintage-inspired look.

The dining room in The Gable House is breathtakingly serene, but there's no denying that the wallpaper is what brings it all together. It's ornate up close, but from afar, it's the perfect subtle flourish that contrasts against the paler accents and rustic furniture.

Shea McGee has perfected the balance of luxury and heritage in her Threshold x Studio McGee Christmas collection. Filled with festive pieces that feel both high-end and rustic, Shea's line of chic (and affordable) homewares combines the two most sought-after styles for holiday decorating.

As someone who wants their Christmas decor to blend high-end luxury with heritage coziness, I’m ordering most of my new holiday pieces straight from this launch. The ultimate mix of Ralph Lauren–inspired heritage style and quiet luxury, these are the pieces that will bring this coveted 2025 holiday trend into your home in an instant.

There’s a lot of buzz around the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic right now, and while I love that cozy, traditional look, I’m after something slightly more glamorous and elevated – holiday decor that feels warm and classic but also luxurious. Curated but also effortlessly cozy. These are some easy ways to bring the look home, with the help of Shea's new Holiday collection at Target.

1. Layer traditional prints with cozy textures

Layering is key for this heritage-meets-luxury look. Start with rich, textured fabrics like velvet and faux fur in cushions and throws (there's plenty in Shea's collection, like the Lush Faux Fur Throw and Tonal Woven Boucle Throw Blanket) for an elegant touch, then bring in more classic patterns like tartan and herringbone that nod to a more heritage feel.

Mixing patterns will give any room that curated-meets-cozy feel that’s key to nailing the luxury heritage look. It’s all about balancing nostalgic, classic prints with more neutral, high-end materials to ensure you get the best of both worlds.

2. Mix Materials

Mix materials too. Shea's Target collection is filled with gold, marble, and wood pieces that layer beautifully together to create a scheme that blends classic with chic.

Introduce natural materials such as wood and rattan to give your space a lived-in homeliness that's fitting for the festive season. To create some contrast, bring in subtle luxurious choices such as small pops of marble or metallic that contrast against darker wood textures.

3. Balance nostalgic with chic curations

While heritage charm often calls for nostalgia, modern luxury is about restraint. To achieve this balance, you want to blend plaid with subtle sparkle, pair traditional reds and greens with gold, and add some unexpected marble accents among the evergreen.

Shea's Christmas collection is filled with vintage-inspired pieces that will make fusing the two looks feel easy. Vintage-style pieces, such as brass and gold ornaments and trinket,s will tie your scheme together and tick both the cozy and contemporary boxes.

Of course, Shea's collection is filled with enviable pieces. She has effortlessly combined her modern heritage style with a subtle dose of luxury. While it's not always easy to balance cozy with chic, shopping Shea's collection will help you channel these two classic looks over the holidays.