The trend for extravagant, Hollywood-inspired Christmas decorations has firmly taken root among British celebrities, with stars transforming their homes into festive wonderlands. From front doors draped in garlands to living rooms adorned to the nines, the competition for the most stylish holiday home is fierce.
Expert Eyes on Festive Flair
However, not all celebrity efforts have hit the mark, according to a leading luxury interiors authority. Jordana Ashkenazi, Founder and Design Director of Element One House, shared her candid verdicts with the Daily Mail, reviewing everything from wreaths to stockings displayed by the famous faces.
Her assessments revealed surprising winners and losers. While Love Island's Molly Mae earned praise for her 'tasteful' neutral stocking display, architect and influencer Dara Huang—mother to Princess Beatrice's stepson—had her mantelpiece decor branded 'dull and forgettable'.
Door Drama and Festive Fails
Ashkenazi's review covered the full spectrum of festive style. She admired the bold effort of Stacey Solomon's huge red bow and faux sleigh on her porch, but questioned its practicality, labelling it 'OTT' (over the top).
Meanwhile, Binky Felstead's classic striped bow on a seafoam green door was deemed too 'safe and understated', earning a 'Bland' verdict. At the other extreme, Charlotte Dawson's candy-cane and bauble-covered entrance was criticised for being 'too busy', resulting in a 'Tacky' rating.
Some couples fared better. Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan's symmetrical, wreath-wrapped arches were praised as 'polished' and 'Tasteful', if a little impersonal. Victoria and David Beckham's classic countryside chic, featuring chunky knit stockings, was applauded as 'timeless'.
Interior Insights and Sustainability Queries
The critique extended indoors, where sustainability choices came under scrutiny. Cleanfluencer Mrs Hinch's use of wooden gift boxes was seen as visually appealing but 'Impractical' due to weight and storage issues.
Similarly, Meghan Markle's suggestion to use fabric instead of wrapping paper was dismissed as fiddly and impractical, despite the good sustainability intentions. 'Sometimes practicality matters too,' Ashkenazi noted.
Other interior displays received mixed reviews. Jess Wright's white and gold scheme was labelled 'Bland', while Chloe Sims' neutral tree with a large white bow was seen as 'Underwhelming' and 'unfinished'.
Billie Shepherd went for full American-movie glamour with a heavily decorated door arch, which the expert found impressive but 'overwhelming' and 'OTT', lacking a personal touch.
The overall analysis highlights a festive divide: between those who embrace bold, personal joy and those who opt for safe, stylised perfection. According to Ashkenazi, Christmas is the one time of year to lean into character and warmth, even if it means occasionally bordering on the extravagant.
