Everyone has a memory of a grandparent’s home during the holidays. It was a place where the scent of something delicious was always in the air, every surface held a story, and the warmth had nothing to do with the thermostat setting. It felt lived-in, loved, and effortlessly festive. This style, often called “Nonna,” is less about perfection and more about heart.
Here are six tricks to help you cultivate a space your own Nonna would happily settle into with a plate of cookies.
1. Embrace Nostalgic, Handmade Textiles
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A home decorated with the Nonna touch is filled with items that have history and personality. Items like crocheted doilies, embroidered table linens, and handmade potholders add layers of texture and story to a room. They speak of time, care, and a tradition of making things by hand.
These pieces soften modern lines and introduce a sense of heritage, even if that heritage is borrowed from a local thrift shop. These items bring a human element into your decor. A slightly imperfect, hand-stitched napkin has more character than a flawless, machine-made one. You can use them on dining tables, draped over chair backs, or even as unconventional tree skirts.
2. Use Warm Lighting and Vintage Lamps
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Harsh, overhead lighting can make any space feel cold and impersonal. The Nonna aesthetic relies on creating pools of soft, warm light that invite people to gather and relax. This is achieved by layering different light sources, particularly those with a vintage feel.
Taper candles in assorted holders cast a gentle, flickering glow that instantly makes a room feel more intimate. Vintage-style lamps with warm-toned bulbs can illuminate dark corners without overwhelming the space. The goal is a soft, comforting ambiance that feels like a warm hug, perfect for long winter evenings.
3. Add Tomato-Inspired Colors and Garden Vibes
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The connection between the home and the outdoors is strong; the Nonna style celebrates this with a color palette inspired by a sun-drenched kitchen garden. Tomato red is a central color; it’s warm, energetic, and deeply comforting. This isn’t a jarring, bright red, but a rich, earthy one.
Pair it with other warm hues like golden yellows, muted oranges, and plenty of garden greens. These colors evoke feelings of abundance, harvest, and home-cooked meals. This palette moves away from the typical red and green Christmas combination, offering something that feels more personal and grounded.
4. Decorate with Woven and Handmade Pieces
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Texture is a quiet but powerful tool in home decorating. A home rich in the Nonna spirit is filled with a variety of textures that invite touch. Woven baskets, be they holding firewood, blankets, or pinecones, add a rustic and practical element.
A wooden bread box on the counter is both functional and charming. Handmade pottery, with its unique glazes and shapes, adds an artistic touch that feels personal and one-of-a-kind. These objects tell a story of function and form coming together. These pieces prevent a home from feeling flat or one-dimensional. The interplay of smooth wood, rough basket-weave, and cool ceramic creates visual interest and depth.
5. Play with Patterns and Layers
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A defining feature of the Nonna look is its fearless and artful use of pattern and layers. This is not about minimalist restraint; it’s about abundance and generosity. Gingham tablecloths, ruffled fabric details on pillows or curtains, and layered linens on shelves or tables create a sense of nostalgic charm. Stick to a complementary color palette to tie different patterns together.
Layering adds visual depth and a sense of history, as if items have been collected and added over many years. A ruffled shelf liner peeking out from under a stack of plates or a patterned dish towel draped over the oven handle adds a small but significant touch of personality.
6. Give Your Holiday Tree a Nostalgic Twist
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The holiday tree is often the centerpiece of festive decor, and it’s the perfect place to showcase the Nonna aesthetic. Move away from perfectly coordinated, store-bought ornament sets and embrace a more eclectic, gathered-over-time appearance.
Crocheted stars, simple velvet bows tied to branches, and clip-on faux candles that mimic the glow of old-world decorations create charm without feeling forced. A quilted tree skirt at the base completes the look, adding another layer of texture and handmade charm. Each ornament can tell a story, turning the tree into a family scrapbook.
Bringing It All Together
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Building a holiday home Nonna would admire means leaning into warmth, authenticity, and the quiet charm of well-loved objects. Let the space unfold naturally, layering textures and memories, picking up details that speak to you or have family meaning. Wall-to-wall perfection isn’t on the menu; personality, comfort, and a dash of nostalgia most definitely are. Experiment with these ideas, rotate in new finds, and allow each year’s decor to reflect your lived-in story.