THE LUXE LIFE

THE

When it comes to holiday decorating, lush fabrics, warm accents and a moody palette keep things cozy.

TEXT BY GRACE TOBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANGUS FERGUSSON PROP STYLING BY TAMARA ROBBINS GRIFFITH

The clean, modern lines of the fireplace shine thanks to crisp white paint.

Homeowners Liv Judd Soye and Brian Soye with their kids, Vendela and Malin.

t lifestyle expert and TV personality Liv Judd Soye’s house, the holidays don’t kick in to high gear until Christmas Eve, when she sets a pot of clove- and almondscented gløgg, or mulled wine, to simmer on the stove and everyone unwraps a fresh set of pajamas. These traditions—a combination of her Norwegian and British heritage, as well as the Irish roots of her husband, Brian Soye, and the customs she’s starting with their two young daughters, Malin, 4, and Vendela, 2—are the most important part of the family’s celebrations. “Having deep-rooted traditions is something that ties us together and helps us feel connected to family back home in Norway and Ireland,” she says.

That European background, and her childhood years spent in northern Saskatchewan, also helped shape her glam but relaxed esthetic. The family’s midtown Toronto home features warm woods, dark walls and mixed metals. “I like glamour, but I don’t want anything to look too perfect. My trick is to add in a few unexpected twists,” she says.

For the holidays, Judd Soye plays up this palette, mixing gilded elements with blackand-white patterns to create a dazzling look that carries throughout the house.

If you have a fake tree, add in a few real twigs, gathered from the backyard or a local park, for visual interest, texture and added fullness.

Swap out everyday pillows for seasonal sequined ones—and add a few black accents for impact.

GO FOR

Left: In the family room, luxurious grey walls make for a dramatic backdrop. Reflective, shining accents add elegance, while a contemporary tufted sofa and a raw-wood coffee table have a grounding presence.

Elton sofa, westelm.com. Coffee table, Christmas tree, mirror, artwork, cushions, throw and rug, homesense.ca. Dior Gray 2133-40 paint (on walls), benjaminmoore.com.

Below: Accessories are the easiest way to add sparkle for the holidays. But don’t feel obligated to strictly stick to gold tones. “Layering a mix of metallic shades makes a space feel less opulent and more current,” says Judd Soye.

Penguin sculpture, stocking hangers and stockings, homesense.ca.

“A TRADITION FROM MY CHILDHOOD IS TO PLACE A CLEMENTINE IN GREEN WRAPPING AT THE BOTTOM OF A STOCKING, WHICH PERFECTLY FILLS OUT THE TOE.”

Sculptural and large-scale, this standout light fixture is an eye-catching focal point.

Use a rug to delineate zones in larger rooms. This one defines the boundaries of a small sitting area and adds subtle pattern underfoot.

A vintage-look tiered tray is a chic way to display baked goods or ornaments—or both. SHINY & BRIGHT

Left: Glass-front uppers put Judd Soye’s prettiest dishes and glassware on display, but solid lower cabinets are a must for wrangling clutter. Black-and-white stripes are a recurring motif throughout the home; here, they pop against the light-colour cabinetry and countertops.

Gold-plated three-tiered tray, homesense.ca.

Below: Small, eclectic vignettes—like this agate tray, which holds ornaments and a mini bottle of bubbly—add personality and an extra hit of shine.

Tray, homesense.ca.

BREATHING

Opposite: Everything from kidfriendly “crafternoons” to family gatherings happens in the kitchen, so this long, narrow space needed a clean, pared-down galley layout. Cabinetry and appliances run along one wall, helping it feel airy and spacious, as does the abundant natural light. The walls and cabinets are painted in similar hues, which gives the illusion of space, while the island offers plenty of seating—and some extra storage.

Cabinets, ikea.ca. Pulls, gingers.com. Pendant, westelm.com. Rug, homesense.ca.

CHIC

Left: A decorative shallow bowl filled with ornaments is festive (and easy to execute!). Mix up the patterns for a playful vibe, but keep your palette restrained for maximum impact.

Bowl and ornaments, homesense.ca.

The closets are a combination of a prefab wardrobe system and kitchen cabinet fronts that give the look of built-ins. DRESSED TO

A dedicated dressing room might seem like a luxury, but this multi-use space does it all. The converted attic loft, just steps up from the master bedroom, houses wall-to-wall closets, the master bath, a nook for Judd Soye’s office and a space for her girls to play when she’s getting ready for the day.

Wardrobe and cabinets, ikea.ca. Bench, gold branch tree and rug, homesense.ca. Pulls, gingers.com. Simply White OC-117 paint (on wall), benjaminmoore.com.

A bench upholstered in luxe velvet is a stylish place to perch. Lucite legs keep the high-impact pattern visually light.

Design a space your child can grow in to. The striped chair and saturated rug will work in a more grown-up bedroom just as well as they do in this nursery.

ASSURED

Clockwise from top left: In Vendela’s room, an oversize reindeer (adorned with a playful wreath) adds a toddler-friendly holiday touch. Felt banner, faux sheepskin, reindeer, felt wreath and rug, homesense.ca. Playful patterns and a colourful gallery wall are fun counterpoints to the sharp grey-and-black palette in Malin’s room. Quilt, sheets, white metal trunks and rugs, homesense.ca. A sweet pom-pom garland adds an unexpected hit of merriment to a vintage dresser. Garland and pouf, homesense.ca. To accommodate the main Christmas tree downstairs, two armchairs were transplanted to the master bedroom, where they create a welcoming, if temporary, sitting area. Bed and chairs, westelm.com. Cushions, duvet cover and side table, homesense.ca.

NATURALLY FESTIVE