Photo by Hayley Lunde
It’s the morning after Thanksgiving. The air smells crisp, the snow starts falling, and it’s officially time to dig out your oversized bins of holiday decor. Maybe they’re chock-full of hand-me-downs from your grandparents, or perhaps they’re packed with department store essentials, old thrift finds, and handcrafted trinkets from the kids’ early elementary school days.
Whatever treasures you uncover after a long year in storage, they likely adhere to a certain holiday style—whether it’s whimsical and nostalgic, minimalist and modern, or something else entirely your own. To fully understand the range of decorating routes, we spoke with three local design influencers about their own unique holiday aesthetics—all of which are one-of-a-kind, yet unified by the festive feelings they evoke.
While many of us strive to re-create Instagram-worthy holiday looks year after year, it seems the true gems of even the most beautifully decorated homes come in the form of sentimental items that spark memories of this special season—whether it be a handmade garland or beloved (err—dreaded?) Elf on the Shelf. So, as you prepare to decorate your own space this year, let these charming abodes act as your guide, but don’t forget that simplicity and sentimentality are not limited in their ability to bring the holiday spirit to life.
Masculine & Moody
When Kate Chipinski and her young family happened upon a peaceful lakeside home—not too far from the city, in a good school district, and within their price range—it checked all their boxes as an ideal spot to settle down. And while the house had great bones, it was still in dire need of cosmetic updates, ultimately sparking her career as a home stylist, DIY-er, and influencer. “I started getting into DIY design when we moved into the house,” Chipinski recalls. “I wanted to take an eco-friendly approach to how we renovated. We went room by room so it didn’t seem too daunting, which made it much easier to handle while still having a life with jobs, kids, and activities.”
Since she began sharing her projects on social media, she has amassed 80,000-plus followers who remain eager to see what she’ll tackle next. Her holiday content, specifically, performs exceptionally well. When decorating for the season, her rule of thumb is to incorporate nature wherever possible with elements like wood, sticks, dried florals, trees, and flowers. “My husband jokes it wouldn’t be a Kate Chipinski design without a dead tree in the room,” she says, laughing. In fact, one of her holiday-themed DIYs from last year involved crafting garland with pine branches from a neighbor’s old tree—the perfect means of hiding the kids’ favorite piece of holiday magic: Elf on the Shelf.
Holiday Tip: “I love investing in some beautiful faux garland I can use year after year, and then sprinkle in real garland and stems throughout my home for the smell and festive feel. Less is more when decorating for the holidays. Find an area to make a beautiful impact, and then keep the rest of the space simple.”
Vintage & Versatile
Katie DeGroot’s appreciation for design dates back to the days of decorating her childhood dollhouse. Since then, she has found joy in bringing her style to life on a larger scale within her own home—a process she has documented in detail for her followers online. As a professional lifestyle photographer, capturing beautiful, everyday moments has always come easy for her. “When I became a mostly stay-at-home mom, I wanted a place to share images of my everyday life,” DeGroot says. “I created my Instagram to showcase my home projects.”
With family at the forefront of her life, DeGroot prioritizes durable, not-too-precious items in her home’s design—a theme she maintains during the holiday season. “I’d describe my holiday style as simple and cozy with a touch of nostalgia,” she explains. “As much as possible, I try to use natural, simple ingredients in my seasonal decor. I also enjoy decorating with hand-me-down heirlooms that have story and meaning.”
And while there is certainly sentimental value in these pieces, the family also adds to their holiday collection year after year. In fact, throughout December, odds are strong you’ll find DeGroot and the kids sat at the dining table, crafting goodies like dried citrus garland, homemade candles, and paper-star ornaments.
Holiday Tip: “Don’t be afraid to use the items you have in new ways. You can achieve a cozy, festive ambience with even the simplest ingredients, [such as] white or beeswax candles, linen tablecloths, and gingerbread cookies. Find inspiration outside as well. Simple wreaths and garlands can be made from tree clippings, pinecones, and other materials from the backyard.”
Classic & Cozy
Since first moving into their 1915 Craftsman in Red Wing, Hayley Lunde and her husband have strived to maintain its historic charm while making it fit for their young, growing family. When they began their DIY renovations, she felt called to share the journey on social media, and now, her Instagram page showcases a portfolio of every beautiful transformation—all in an aesthetic that is uniquely Lunde.
Her style, self-described as “cozy classic with a mix of modern and antique,” also translates effortlessly into the holiday season. “I try to make my holiday decor feel like it fits seamlessly with everything else,” she explains of her approach. “I look for vintage holiday art I can pop into my everyday frames, festive candlesticks, and one or two textiles I can swap in that still match everything else. I like to add in textures, patterns, and materials that lean into the cozy season (think chunky knits, warm brass, and greenery) and add fun holiday items here and there.”
One of her favorite traditions happens the day after Thanksgiving, when she brings out the boxes of decor while a nostalgic holiday album plays in the background. And since her birthday falls 10 days after Christmas, the decorations stay up until then—delaying the post-holiday gloom and keeping the spirit alive within her home for just a bit longer.
Holiday Tip: “If you want your decor to feel collected and not like you bought the entire aisle at Target, my biggest tip is to look at the holiday section at the thrift store year-round and be intentional about what you buy. Focusing on materials, textures, greenery, and items from nature goes a long way.”
