It’s a homecoming fit for a holiday movie.
Utah-based performer Witney Carson is known for her appearances on Dancing with the Stars—she won the coveted mirror ball trophy in just her second season on the series. Last December, she was away for much of the month filming the series in Los Angeles, which made traditional Christmas decorating impossible. Luckily, the team at Gatehouse No. 1 was ready to save the day. The design experts decked the halls of Carson’s home in Utah before she finished shooting, and she returned to a perfectly festive space. “Coming to a home full of Christmas cheer was honestly better than Christmas itself,” Carson enthused. “It was so magical!”
Gatehouse’s holiday decorations make a charming first impression. The front door is adorned with a simple pine wreath embellished with silver bells and cascading white, pink and red ribbons. The entry announces the entire home’s winning aesthetic: classic Christmas, perfectly executed, with just enough contemporary flair. Wrapped around the banister, a cedar garland trimmed with red plaid ribbon grounds the room in tradition. The front table features a decidedly more modern display—a reindeer statuette, black and white chinoiserie and gold accents compose an eclectic collection that moves beyond typical hues of red and green.
In the living room, cohesive details and varied textures combine to create a space as comforting as a mug of hot cocoa. “We spend a lot of time in the living room together, so having it feel so cozy is essential for the holidays,” Carson explains. To conjure the warmth that Carson craved, the decorators opted for a naturally chic approach. A fresh tree, ready to be planted in the spring, is loaded with decorations, including frosted pine bundles, velvet ribbon, faux berries, pinecones and reflective ornaments. The mantle is dressed in two garlands— classic, elegant pine complements mixed wool pom-poms with plush white stockings to match. A cotton peace wreath and patterned pillows complete the room’s soft, inviting decor.
In the dining room, Gatehouse continues their naturally inspired design. Layered wreaths of fresh pine surround candles to create a sophisticated dining table centerpiece. Clustered berry branches are strikingly tied to a pendant light with bright red ribbon, and the same branches become the perfect winter bouquet placed in a narrow-necked white vase. These organic elements draw inspiration from the season, creating an easy style that is tied to the holidays without feeling overdone.
Gatehouse’s relaxed, warm aesthetic was a perfect fit for Carson’s low-key holiday preferences. She spends the season surrounded by family “snuggling by the fire, enjoying the tree lights and ornaments, making Christmas cookies and just being together,” she says. With quality family time to look forward to and cozy decorations to match, Carson’s return to her home was a warm welcome. “Everything about it was thought out with so much detail and love by Gatehouse,” she says. “It truly is a masterpiece!”
Get festive with all of our holiday stories.