Courtney Warren is a Texas-based interior designer whose work has been featured in Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Apartment Therapy, and Today.com. She is a frequent consultant on Fox 4 TV’s Good Day program in Dallas, was ranked in the top 3 percent of interior designers in the US by Houzz.com, and starred in the Dallas episode of TLC’sFour Houses. She delights in helping overwhelmed clients create beautiful spaces—and will never turn down a warm chocolate chip cookie or Diet Dr Pepper.

Fox4 Good Day is having me on in the 9:00 AM hour to discuss the Ralph Lauren Christmas decor trend.
I imagine it might go something like this….
Courtney: Christmas already brings a longing for nostalgia, and for many, nothing is more nostalgic than recalling their youth….all the way back to the 90s.
I think for some, it’s a classy container that dresses up the more boring sounding “traditional Christmas” and for others, affords a air of luxury even if they are on a DIY budget.
Courtney: Perhaps a little of both.
The design term “traditional” couldn’t sound more blah and boring, and to be fair, the label doesn’t accurately describe the look it encompasses. Classic might be a better description.
But Ralph Lauren describes more than the typically traditional Christmas.
It elevates the holiday decor in a way that “traditional” Christmas doesn’t, and gives it more of a “spending our summers on a boat in Nantucket in an American Flag sweater and loafers” type feel, even if someone has never owned boatshoesand can’t find Nantucket on map.
I think of heavy fabrics- deep plaids, moody dark colors like forest green, navy and burgundy. Richness.
Walnut colored wood.
Velvet.
Gold accents.
Cable knit sweaters.
Real magnolia leaves accented with red berries.
It’s rich, nostalgic, and effortlessly elegant. It’s the kind of look that makes you feel like you’re stepping into a mountain lodge straight out of a classic holiday movie.
To bring this look to life, think texture and depth.
Start with heavy, luxurious fabrics—deep plaids and moody, dark colors like forest green, navy, and burgundy.
Layer in walnut-toned wood, touches of gold, and cozy materials like velvet and cable knit sweaters.
Even real magnolia leaves accented with red berries will add that organic, old-world charm that makes the space feel authentic and timeless.
The beauty of the Ralph Lauren trend is that these items are not actually trendy. As stated, this trend is traditional. So, unlike other trends, its a bit safer because its likely you can reuse and incorporate new items without them screaming this is so “2025”.
And the same cannot be said for my teddy bear sweater from 1995.
Someone can easily create a Ralph Lauren Christmas look. One of the best parts about this trend is how easy it is to recreate, even on a budget. You don’t need a designer showroom or a Nantucket estate to pull it off—just an eye for detail and a few intentional choices. With a quick trip to a thrift store or a local home goods shop, you can piece together a Ralph Lauren–inspired holiday look without breaking the bank.
Start by focusing on deep, rich colors and substantial materials.
Avoid anything too whimsical, brightly colored, or overly modern—this isn’t the time for hot pink ornaments or minimalist trees. Instead, lean into tradition with a touch of luxury.
And above all else—plaid is your secret weapon.
Ralph Lauren’s signature look practically demands it.
Whether it’s a plaid throw pillow, a table runner, a tree skirt, or even stockings hung by the fireplace, a bold red tartan or navy-and-green Black Watch plaid will instantly tie everything together.
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