Liz Walton Home

As the year draws to a close, I always find myself settling into a rhythm that feels both familiar and deeply comforting. The holidays have a way of reminding us where we’ve been, what we value, and how quickly time moves, especially in a year like 2025, when uncertainty and unexpected shifts seemed to be the norm. Yet through every challenge, one thing stayed constant: the grounding power of relationships, rituals, and home.

In our family, the holidays officially start the moment we bundle up and head to Yeager’s Farm to cut down our Christmas tree. No matter how busy life feels or how cold the air is, that tradition signals that it’s time to slow down and be present.

Shortly after comes our visit to Longwood Gardens’ Festival of Lights, a tradition we’ve kept in every kind of weather imaginable. Rain, snow, unseasonably warm evenings… it never matters. Longwood always finds a way to feel magical.

At home, the kitchen becomes command central. We bake cookies and cakes, the kids bring home holiday crafts and school activity schedules, and our evenings fill with our favorite Christmas movies playing in the background. And then there’s the cooking-lots of cooking. We host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, a whirlwind of recipes, laughter, and loved ones gathered around the table. It’s chaotic in the best possible way.

But once the elf dust settles and Santa has officially made his rounds, we pack up and slip into a week of rest and recovery. This year, we’re especially excited to spend it at Nemacolin Woodlands, embracing quiet moments, winter scenery, and family downtime before the new year begins.

Looking Toward 2026: A New Era of Color, Comfort & Story

Just as the holidays are filled with traditions we cherish, the turn of a new year always brings a fresh wave of inspiration, especially for the homes we create. If a renovation or room refresh happens to be on your Christmas list, here’s a little design forecasting to spark your imagination.

In 2026, color is officially back! After years of neutrals dominating interiors, we’re seeing a return to rich, vibrant tones that bring warmth and personality into a space.

Think:

• Deep burgundy
• Saturated plum
• Mossy, layered greens

These hues pair beautifully with tactile materials. Think real velvets, luxe upholstery and trim, textured wovens, and heirloom pieces that tell a story. Interiors next year will lean into spaces that feel lived-in, layered, and deeply personal. Comfort isn’t just physical; it’s emotional.

Layered lighting will play a major role in shaping mood and depth, pendants, sconces, table lamps, and accent lights working together to create a balanced, inviting glow.

And wellness continues to be more than a trend. We’re seeing an increased desire for experiential interiors, spaces that support mindfulness, fitness, indoor gardening, and restorative moments throughout the home. These environments help us reconnect with ourselves, especially when life feels fast or unpredictable.

After a year like 2025, one filled with market shifts, tariffs, uncertainty, and unexpected twists, we’ve learned to be flexible, creative, and intentional. More importantly, we’ve been reminded that relationships, old and new, are the heart of everything we do.

As we head into 2026, I’m excited for the stories we’ll continue to tell, the homes we’ll create, and the families, like yours, that we’ll have the privilege of designing for.

Wishing you a season filled with warmth, joy, and the comforts of home.