If you’ve grown a little bored with the classic Christmas schemes, you’re in very good company.
This year, designer Bethany Adams is championing a more colorful, joy-filled approach to the holidays – proving that Christmas decorating can be every bit as magical when you lean into playfulness, unexpected Christmas colors, and of course, plenty of personality.
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when you step away from the classic red-and-green formula and let color take the lead.
And that’s exactly the energy Bethany Adams brings to her holiday decorating. Her approach is bright, playful, and color-confident, proving that festive decor doesn’t have to be traditional to feel nostalgic or welcoming.
In Bethany’s world, the season is celebrated through saturated blues, coral pinks, bold greens, and shimmering metallics. 'I like to play with my home's existing color scheme in my holiday decor for a look that is as unified as it is festive. In our formal living room, that means rich burgundy, pink, and touches of orange for contrast. All against a backdrop of beautiful holiday greenery, of course,' Bethany describes the space seen above.
To add further color to the space, Bethany has forgone the classic Christmas tree skirt and gone instead for a large green-blue plant pot like this Azul Blue Vaso Planter from Wayfair.
'Despite appearances, my holiday decorating aesthetic is all about ease and enjoyment of the holiday season with my children,' says Bethany. 'While some of my holiday displays are definitely impressive, in actuality, they represent a devil-may-care attitude towards decorating.'
The charm of her Christmas style comes from that looseness – her decorations have been added over time, and shaped by the things she genuinely loves. Nothing is forced, and nothing is treated too preciously. Instead, the joy comes from embracing what she already has and letting the house evolve naturally as the season unfolds.
'Despite appearances, my holiday decorating aesthetic is all about ease and enjoyment of the holiday season with my children,' says Bethany. 'While some of my holiday displays are definitely impressive, in actuality, they represent a devil-may-care attitude towards decorating.'
The charm of her Christmas style comes from that looseness – her decorations have been added over time, and shaped by the things she genuinely loves. Nothing is forced, and nothing is treated too preciously. Instead, the joy comes from embracing what she already has and letting the house evolve naturally as the season unfolds.
'I use what I have – in my case, that's a fabulous collection of vintage brass deer I've amassed over many years, various Christmas trees in feathers, felt, or other materials – and spools and spools of satin ribbon and fill in the gaps with the season's most beautiful greenery.'
Rather than chasing trends or starting fresh each year, Bethany builds her displays around treasured, collected items.
Against on-trend color-drenched blue walls and a handsome wooden mantel in the room above, Bethany has layered vibrant candleholders and taper candles that echo the room’s palette. Then, the styling of her bookcases becomes part of the celebration – a stack of green books cleverly arranged into a tree shape, and topped with a brass present, adds a wink of whimsy.
'Even if you don't have miles of greenery in your home, everyone has candles, which I think are the most beautiful way to decorate for the season,' she advises. 'I use a variety of colors like olive, burgundy, pink, and persimmon to add interest to my holiday decor even when the candles aren't lit.'
The staircase is where Bethany’s resourceful approach really shines. Instead of relying solely on store-bought foliage, she brings the outdoors in by creating her own garland that feels full, fragrant, and imperfect. More gold reindeer, satin ribbons, and glowing lanterns add just enough shimmer to make the whole space feel merry.
'I'll steal branches from the base of our Christmas tree, and also snip branches from other trees in my backyard – or even the alleyways! – to make the home's eight Victorian mantels into holiday showstoppers.'
And of course, it's a full family effort. 'My eldest daughter and I strung the dried orange slices to make garlands for our small Christmas tree, and both girls helped me to tie the satin bows that conceal plastic zip-ties holding the garland to the staircase.'
'Upstairs, in our family lounge, the large Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments from my childhood, and souvenirs from our family travels and special outings,' Bethany explains.
'In this room, the color palette is bolder and brighter, and so are our decorations. Easy to assemble (and store!) felt trees add a mid-century spin to the room that is supported by our large, vintage deep red sectional sofa.'
'Tying colorful bows on the tree fills out the emptier spots and ties all of the colors in the room together in a way that feels fun, festive, and relaxed,' she continues. 'The point of decorating for the holidays in my home is to transform the everyday into a wonderland for the children and bring a little bit of the awe and enchantment of the season home.'
Shop Bethany's Colorful Christmas Look
Bethany’s vibrant holiday home is a reminder that Christmas decorating doesn’t have to follow the rules or traditional Christmas color schemes to feel magical. By leaning into color, nostalgia, and a sense of creativity, she’s crafted a festive home that reflects her family as much as her own design sensibility.
