Discussion with Carrell Stahala, Head Designer of Serena & Lily Retail Spaces
In the heart of Dallas, Carrell Stahala, the design leader at Serena & Lily, has been guiding customers towards creating comfortable, inviting, and sustainable home spaces since 2018. As the holiday season approaches, she has shared her insights on the trends shaping this year's shopping and home decor.
For holiday shopping, Carrell emphasises the importance of gifting items that bring comfort and cosiness, reflecting a desire to create warm, inviting spaces in homes. Consumers are also favouring sustainable and thoughtfully made products, showing increased awareness towards eco-friendly choices. Personalised and meaningful gifts, emphasising sentimental value over extravagance, are also trending.
When it comes to home decor, natural textures and earthy tones are at the forefront, creating calming environments inspired by nature. Handcrafted and artisanal pieces add unique character and warmth to interiors, while layered textiles like woven throws, pillows, and rugs enhance comfort and visual interest. Functional yet stylish furniture that supports both living and working at home is also popular, along with vintage-inspired designs and soft, muted colour palettes to evoke nostalgia and timelessness.
Carrell also highlights the growing trend of outdoor spaces being seen as an extension of the home, allowing for social distancing during gatherings. Customers are looking for products that engage the whole family, such as game tables for family game nights. This year, a significant holiday trend is decorating more for the holidays and decorating earlier.
In light of the pandemic, online shopping is expected to be the norm this year. Carrell advises starting shopping as early as possible to ensure prompt delivery. If not able to deliver gifts in person, finding something personal is advised to maintain the sentiment.
Lastly, Carrell encourages keeping plants in a living space, as they not only clean the air but also provide a mental and mood boost. The Serena & Lily store, which offers a variety of home provisions including pillows, bedsheets, area rugs, and more, is a one-stop shop for customers seeking to embrace these trends.
In summary, Carrell Stahala advises embracing comfort, sustainability, and personalization in both gifting and decorating for the 2021 holiday season, with natural and artisanal elements playing a central role in home decor.
- To bring warmth and comfort to homes this holiday season, consider gifting wellness-focused items like indoor plants, promoting mental health and mood enhancement.
- For a sustainable approach to shopping, choose handcrafted garden furniture and decorative elements from the home-and-garden section of Serena & Lily, contributing to eco-friendly choices.
- As part of creating inviting and functional living spaces, interior-design trends suggest integrating game tables into outdoor spaces, fostering family-focused activities while maintaining social distancing.
