Interior designer Drew McGukin shares, “I’m concerned less about how a room looks and more on how it feels and functions.  Then again, I love juxtaposition.  Rooms should appear bold yet subtle, elegant while at the same time relaxed, unexpected but personal, sexy although appropriate, fanciful but still real.”  With offices located in Chelsea, Drew and his team are currently working on projects in Manhattan, the Hamptons, North Carolina and the west coast, but he still makes time to decorate his home with personalized holiday flair.  Below, Drew shares his top seasonal decor tips with KDHamptons readers, below:

The most unique trees have lots of layers!  Try running garlands or beads down the tree for a slimming, interesting look!  I often use two alternating garland styles to lend dimension and visual texture.  Also, be sure to stuff a good base of basic ornaments deep into the tree as well. Solid colored classic round ornaments are perfect for this trick and will make the tree feel very full.   Lynch’s Garden Center in Southampton has a great selection.

Don’t be afraid of ribbons or fabric weaving through you tree!  Every sash doesn’t necessarily need to tie into a perfect bow at every point or end.  Fabric and ribbons bring a soft, sculptural quality and warmth to the natural sensibility of a Christmas tree.

Remember to drop a little Holiday onto a few surfaces here and there!  It’s not all about the Christmas tree.  Frame favorite old holiday pictures in festive frames and bring them out each year when you unpack your decor.  As a child, my mom took all the standard pictures down from our bookcases and table tops during the holidays.  She replaced them with years and years of Christmas morning snapshots in PJs or unwrapping.  I also love reminiscing through those images in her home each holiday Season.  Holidays are about tradition!

The perfect gift idea for that special someone who has everything: start a holiday china collection for them.  Each year, you can add a few pieces.  My pattern is the Tiffany Holiday collection and it’s simply stunning and timeless in every way.  Trust me, the memories are amazing and you’ll be guaranteed a warm home cooked meal on those dishes each and every year.

Holiday dinner tables deserve a beautiful bouquet.  Get creative and incorporate winter flowers and accents like berries, pine branches, and cabbages for a colorful seasonal arrangement.  Topiaire Floral Boutique on Jobs Lane in Southampton makes wonderful Christmas flowers.