Ray and Eilyn Jimenez's Tips for Achieving an Understated, Elevated Christmas Look

In four simple steps, you can elevate your Christmas decor in the most subtle way. HGTV's Divided by Design hosts share their best holiday tricks.

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HGTV's Divided by Design hosts, Ray and Eilyn Jimenez, are all about elevated, meaningful design — and holiday decorating is no exception. If kitschy Christmas accessories aren't for you, Ray and Eilyn have four easy tips on how to create an understated yet cozy Christmas feel in your own home.

Ray and Eilyn Jimenez, hosts of Divided by Design, in their holiday-ready home.

Ray and Eilyn Jimenez, hosts of Divided by Design, in their holiday-ready home.

Play Around With Textiles

"I don't mean getting Santa Clause pillows, but, for example, pillows with a woven texture to offer warmth," says Eilyn. Earthy tones, velvet ornaments, throws or ottomans patterned in muted plaids or tartan can also be layered into your existing decor for a subtle, yet festive feel.

Going for maximum airiness, Luke and Clint gave this space a 20-foot-high ceiling and two-story windows. It’s cozied up by a gas fireplace clad in smooth cedarwood, with soapstone on the hearth. Aggregate concrete floors with embedded river rocks stand up to occasional basketball dribbling. The 1960s leather sofa and the rockers are from Boise Vintage—Luke had the chairs reupholstered in buffalo check fabric from JoAnn.

Living Room

Luke Caldwell's Christmas-ready living room — as featured in the December 2019 issue of HGTV Magazine — boasts buffalo check upholstered chairs and plaid pillows that fit right in with his year-round decor.

Photo by: David Tsay

David Tsay

Luke Caldwell's Christmas-ready living room — as featured in the December 2019 issue of HGTV Magazine — boasts buffalo check upholstered chairs and plaid pillows that fit right in with his year-round decor.

Create a Holiday Scent

"A home's scent puts you right into the holiday spirit," says Ray. His favorite way to create a pleasant fragrance at home? A simmer pot — a pot filled with water and fresh ingredients, heated on the stove. We recommend using citrus rinds, apples, cloves, cinnamon sticks and more.

Mix Metals

"Bring in those vintage platters, silver platters and candle holders to create an Old World Feel," says Eilyn. In her own home, this means festive table settings featuring gold and silver dishware, pops of red and fresh garland.

Eilyn and Ray's holiday table setting features taper candles and mixed-metal flatware.

Eilyn and Ray's holiday table setting features taper candles and mixed-metal flatware.

Set the Ambiance With Lighting

Lighting candles is one of the easiest ways to create an intimate and cozy holiday setting. Eilyn and Ray also recommend paying close attention to the hue of your Christmas tree lights. Instead of overly-bright or colored lights, the Jimenezs prefer to wrap their tree in warm, glowing white lights for an extra-classic mood.

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