Deck the Paws

It’s hard to beat red, green, and gold as a holiday-decorating scheme—it’s the Christmas color trifecta. Here, shiny metallic ornaments, sparkly snowflakes, and gilded magnolia leaves contrast with the soft luster of handcrafted paper stars. The Fraser fir tree is crowned with a red star made from crafts store supplies. This dapper dog gets in on the act with a snappy red bow adorning its neck and a candy cane-striped cushion to relax on.

Heading up the hospitality committee at this home are two pups who are always excited to greet guests. A red plaid entry rug directs visitors to the door in Highland style. A garland of mixed greenery accentuates the scale of the dramatic Gothic arch doorway. Decorative cardinals perch above the entry as well as on the rustic lanterns flanking the door. Continuing the natural look is a pair of shiny galvanized washtubs loaded with verdant ivy. 

This dog is plopped down right at the entry, eager to be the first to say hello to arriving visitors. The extra-wide green door is equally welcoming with a duo of circular wreaths suspended on a scarlet satin ribbon. A garland of fresh greenery frames the doorway and spills onto the porch, with tan-colored palm fronds fanning out at the top corners for contrast.

A golden retriever basks in the glow of a shimmering Fraser fir tree that emanates an aura of hope and exudes holiday joy. Metallic tones and golden lights give a magical air to this party set in a rustic horse barn. Shiny bronze, silver, and gold ornaments are shaped like acorns and pinecones for an elegant yet woodsy effect. The tufted settee offers a refined contrast to the rustic coffee table formed from an old crate, and a gleaming silver tea service is juxtaposed with a simple wooden tray. 

The windows in this beautiful wood door provide an ideal spot for this pup to look out for arriving guests. A generous wreath of cedar, juniper, and noble fir embellished with pinecones in various sizes brings nature right to the doorstep. A burlap bow adds a bit of homespun flair, and the vintage mercury glass ornament below gives the look an elegant air. 

A true-blue friend rests from the holiday festivities under a flocked fir tree covered in cool, calm, and collected ornaments and swathed in beaded garland. Subbing in for the usual tree stand is a white urn that gives the small tree a little boost. An assortment of gifts below carries on the frosty blue-and-silver color scheme. 

A regal feline sits like a queen in an elegant wing chair, which is covered in a coral-motif fabric and accented with nail-head trim. The ocean theme is carried over to the Christmas tree decorated in shades of turquoise, sea foam, and white. The presents beneath the tree are wrapped in watery-hued papers and satiny ribbons. 

What could be cozier than cuddling up with your favorite pup on a pallet of plaid? In this room, tartans in different patterns add just as much warmth to the space as the fire blazing in the hearth. Stockings and ribbon-wrapped candles carry the plaid theme up to the mantel, where fresh greenery from the yard gives this Scottish look a local touch.

This dog has the most stylish seat in the house on a sprawling sectional covered in a plethora of graphic-print pillows. Here, breaking from the traditional holiday shades, the homeowner chose to decorate with other hues such as pink, sea foam green, magenta, brown, and blue to coordinate with the bold colors in the room. Neutral elements such as the rug and upholstery fabrics and even white-lacquered magnolia wreaths help ground all the festive hues.

Don’t tell this sweet pooch, but she’s not supposed to be on the furniture. But who could resist curling up in this comfortable tufted wing chair and with the soft cream throw? The chair’s cornflower blue tone was inspired by the gorgeous tiled fireplace surround, which is original to the 1929 home. The mantel top was already dominated by an eye-catching abstract painting, so the ribboned wreath was shifted down below and hung between the stockings. Jaunty red bows accent this traditional tree embellished with gold accents and shimmery white lights.