(Photography: Juliet Love)
Juliet Love and Charlie Albone have given us a little glimpse inside their Christmas-ready home, and every corner has a touch of warmth, elegance, and is full of Christmas cheer. When people step inside their home, they want to evoke feelings of “true joy”, and we have to admit, they’ve absolutely nailed it.
“Our Christmas décor is already bringing our family so much joy, and Christmas for us is all about sharing the hope and love of Jesus,” Juliet told us. “I want people to walk in and feel welcomed, uplifted and wrapped in that same sense of love and celebration.”
It all starts at the front door. As soon as you arrive, you’re greeted by a gorgeous wreath with thick striped white and silver bows, setting the tone for what’s inside.
“This year we’ve gone with soft metallics—silver and gold—with a few pops of deep red. It feels fresh, warm and a little bit glamorous,” Juliet told us. “I’ve added velvet ribbon everywhere for that lovely, rich colour and texture that’s really on trend at the moment. Christmas is such a meaningful season for us, so I always want our home to feel joyful and full of love.”
Inside Juliet and Charlie’s home
The centre-piece of the season is their Christmas tree. Standing next to their gorgeous winding staircase, it’s an absolute showstopper, covered in white, gold and silver bows. They’ve added baubles of the same colour to subtly enhance the classic feel, while allowing the bows to have their moment. You can tell Juliet has put a lot of attention and care into the styling, keeping it refined while still feeling glamorous and effortless to achieve.
“Our tree is new this year!” Juliet said. “I had been eyeing it off for years and finally got one! It’s huge at 2.5m high and it’s pre-lit (such a lifesaver!) Usually we have a real tree (Charlie’s preference!) covered in a mix of sentimental ornaments that we’ve gathered over the years, but this year we’ve gone for a cleaner, more modern look. Think crisp white and deep red ribbons—very on trend—and simple baubles that tie in with our silver, gold and red palette.”
Under the tree is arguably the most exciting part – the presents! Juliet has kept the wrapping consistent, using brown parchment paper but she varied up the ribbons to keep it consistent with the overall theme. Some are wrapped in with the same striped bows from the wreath, others the same as the bows on the tree.
When deciding on the theme for their Christmas decorations this year, Juliet said they drew inspiration from the world around them.
“I’m always inspired by nature first. Our Australian greens and summery colours make such a beautiful backdrop. Plus magazines, the internet, and boutique stores always spark ideas!”
Their timeless theme carries through to the dining room. Brown parchment paper covers the dining table, with crisp white plates, napkins and on top, velvet red bows. Juliet selected gold cutlery and the centrepiece is gold candle holders with red candles and white bows, alongside vases of big, white hydrangeas. Instead of having placecards, the name has been written with a white chalk pen onto the parchment paper, making it feel more relaxed, welcoming and inviting. Every detail is perfectly curated.
How to style for Christmas outdoors
It isn’t just about how you style the indoors, it needs to be carried outside too.
“I keep the colours and textures consistent outside—natural greenery, warm lights and touches of our metallic-and-red palette. A simple wreath, potted plants with ribbon, and inviting little pockets for people to sit and enjoy the garden make it feel festive without overdoing it,” Juliet said.
“I also love festoon lighting because it instantly says “celebration!’. When decorating outside, think of the things that make a space complete inside, like cushions and a rug. Those things outside also bring the space to life and are often forgotten in outdoor spaces. An umbrella and an iced tea is also a great combination over summer!”
How to achieve this look at home
The best part about Juliet’s styling is it seems simple enough for anyone to achieve at home! While it looks expensive, Juliet has proven it isn’t the case. In fact, she sourced a lot of her Christmas decor from budget stores this year.
“The ribbon is from Spotlight and a specialty ribbon store, the baubles are Kmart! The star is also a cheapie from one of the chain stores – Big W I think! I’m a big believer that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a great look.”
Kmart 28 Pack 3cm Luxury Baubles, $2
Spotlight Jolly & Joy Velvet Bow 10 Pack Red, from $4.80
Big W Large champaign star tree topper, $11.95
Spotlight Celebrate 26 mm Metallic Ribbon, $3
Biggest learning? Save on the decor so you can spend more on the bigger items (like an impressive Christmas tree) because yes, you can achieve expensive on a budget.
Don’t make this Christmas decorating mistake!
Juliet shares one mistake too many people make during their Christmas planning.
“Trying to use too many colours! Choosing a colour scheme and carrying it through—from the wreath on the door, to the tree, the table, even a staircase garland if you have one—creates a beautifully pulled-together look. I always say no more than three colours, with one clear hero colour.”
Juliet and Charlie: the perfect duo
When you put an interior designer and gardening expert together, it creates the perfect harmony, especially when it comes to preparing for the entertaining season.
“Charlie and I balance each other out. He’s brilliant with the practical things and I love the creative details. If we see something differently, it usually leads to a better idea and a bit of fun along the way.”
Christmas family traditions
Every year, Juliet and Charlie have their own family traditions. “One of our favourite traditions is going to Carols by Candlelight and the street fair at our local church,” Juliet said.
“We volunteer there each year, and it’s honestly such a beautiful community moment. The kids have the best time, and there’s just so much festive joy in the air. The kids also decorate gingerbread houses at home, which is such a cute (and slightly chaotic!) tradition. Those simple traditions keep Christmas centred on what it’s really about for us.”
Juliet shares what recipe she’s bringing to Christmas
Everyone brings a plate to Christmas gatherings, and Juliet’s ice cream Christmas pudding recipe is a crowd-pleaser.
“We all pitch in, but every year I make my ice cream Christmas pudding because there are always so many requests for it! It’s so easy and everyone loves it,” she shared.
“You melt good quality vanilla ice cream and mix in plum pudding, cranberries, glacé cherries and slivered almonds… then serve it with fresh mango cheeks. It’s heaven! We also usually have a big ham, lots of fresh salads, and prawns too. And of course, the kids’ gingerbread houses make an appearance.”
For a closer look inside Juliet and Charlie’s home, styling tips and advice, check out their website The Living Edit.
