A Traditional-With-a-Twist Christmas Home Tour

Hi, I’m Michelle — founder and creative director of MW Designs, an e-design business I run while currently based in Germany. My love for design began in childhood and has followed me through every home I’ve lived in, each one thoughtfully curated and documented to inspire others. I believe a home should tell your story by blending old and new pieces with warmth, character, and personality. I’m happy to be bringing this Christmas home tour back and drawing inspiration from other creatives.

Our German home was built in 1927, and while some of the spaces have been thoughtfully updated over the years, so much of its original character remains. From the moment we walked in, we fell in love with the charm that only an older home can offer — the kind that tells a story through its details and imperfections. In the spring and summer, the front of the house is lined with wisteria, and the garden is filled with roses, which only adds to the sense of history we love so much. That feeling carries right into how I decorate, especially at Christmas. My holiday style is very traditional with a twist — something many of you know me for — blending collected antique and thrifted pieces with unexpected details for a curated, layered feel. I’m always aiming for a cozy, nostalgic home that feels personal and thoughtfully put together for the holiday season. And after everyone meeting my mom — aka Mrs. Claus — you can probably understand why Christmas has always meant so much to me.

Foyer

The foyer is where the story of our home begins. During the Christmas season, it glows with candlelight, is dressed in classic red plaid bows, and carries the quiet sense of history that makes older homes feel so special. I love creating an entry that feels cozy and intentional — one that welcomes you in and sets the mood for the rest of the house. My hope is that the moment someone steps inside, they feel an immediate sense of comfort, warmth, and that familiar holiday magic that encourages you to slow down and stay awhile.

Living Room

From the foyer, you’re led right into the living room — the heart of our home during the holidays. This is where our 10-foot Christmas tree stands, filling the space and instantly setting a festive tone. When we moved to Germany, I let go of much of the Christmas décor from our Virginia home, including my large tree. It was bittersweet, but I knew almost immediately what this room needed, so ordering another one just made sense. Ha!

Because this space didn’t have a clear focal point, I leaned into my collection of black and white prints gathered from years of travel, thrifting, and antiquing to ground the room and add visual interest.

Dining Room

From the living room, we move into the dining room, where George Washington now resides. Many of you may remember him from our Virginia home, and he’s still one of my favorite paintings — and truly one of my best finds ever. This space is used daily, which makes it even more special. Living in Germany, it’s our one dining space and where we end up together every night, catching up over dinner.

Kitchen

From the dining room, we head right into the kitchen. Compared to our kitchen in Virginia, this one feels so much cozier and full of old charm. I’ve never been someone who loves to cook, but there’s something about this space that makes me want to spend more time here. It’s the kind of kitchen that makes you want to linger a little longer.

Study

Joe’s study was always meant to feel collected, cozy, and truly lived-in. The shelves have filled up over time with pieces gathered along the way — some found, some gifted — and each one carries a memory or story. Instead of feeling overly styled, this room is meant to feel personal and comfortable, a space that reflects our life and our experiences.

This is where you’ll spot Haggis, one of my favorite thrifted finds from a trip to France and definitely a conversation piece in our home. I spotted him across the room and instantly knew he had to come home with me.

Master Bedroom

Our primary bedroom recently got a little makeover. If you’ve followed along since our Virginia home, you know I’ve always loved a moody room. I was craving a dark, cozy space to retreat to at the end of the day. I’ve used Urban Bronze for clients many times, but never in my own home — until now — and I truly couldn’t love it more. My goal for this room was to create a European boutique hotel feel: moody and cozy, but not overcluttered, and a space that feels calm, inviting, and restful.

Maddie’s Bedroom

Let’s head to Maddie’s room — one of the most fun spaces to decorate in our home. She knew exactly what she wanted: a pink and purple princess room. Her favorite city is Paris, so I loved weaving in little Parisian touches wherever I could.

She loves to dance, and I wanted her room to feel playful and very her.

Evenings are easily my favorite time of day. It’s when everything starts to slow down, the lights feel a little softer, and the house really begins to glow. There’s finally time to pause, take it all in, and enjoy the little moments — the warmth, the quiet, and the comfort of being home. Those calm evenings are what make this season feel especially special to me

And just like that, we’ve come to the end of the tour. Thank you so much for following along and spending a little time here with me. I’m always so grateful to everyone who opened their homes for all of us to peek inside and gather inspiration. I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing holiday season filled with warmth, joy, and time with the people you love.

Christmas Eve Stovetop Potpourri

When the holidays roll around, the smells of the season come with it. One of my favorite things to do is put a pot of stovetop potpourri on, it makes the whole house smell so good. It’s such a simple thing, but it instantly makes everything feel cozy and festive.

This is the stovetop potpourri recipe I love — click here.

If you haven’t been following along, you can start the tour by clicking below!

MW Designs 2025 Christmas Home Tour

Linda’s Home: The Coziest Ralph Lauren Christmas

Stephanie’s Home: A Georgian Style Home Dressed for Christmas

Kristen’s Home: A European Vintage Christmas

Jennifer’s Home: Contemporary-Craftsman Christmas

Jonas’s Home: Sincerely Eccentric