Editor’s Note: In honor of the holiday season and our love of decking the halls to the nines, we’ve tapped three of our favorite Fairfield County interior designers to share how they decorate and entertain for the holiday season.

For our final post in our “decorate like a pro” series, we’ve tapped one of our all-time favorite Greenwich designers, Lauren Muse. Her aesthetic is crisp and clean, and she mixes the traditional with the trendy like no other designer we know. Her work has been published in magazines like New England Home and HGTV, she’s the designer-in-residence of popular blogger Sue de Chiara of The Zhush. Today she’s sharing with us her holiday traditions, how her kids play a role in decorating her home, and more.

As a designer, what’s your approach to decorating your home for the holidays?
I don’t think much different than anyone else, I want my home to feel warm and inviting and festive for my kids.

Do you stick to the same decor scheme each year or do you have a tendency to switch it up?
I switch it up. I might see something in my travels that inspires me. For example, I just picked up a bunch of pheasant feathers that I put in a vase on my mantel and now it is inspiring me to create a more nature inspired mantel.

What is one thing you always incorporate into your holiday decor?
We have a little snow man in a glass box that years ago I called the wishing snowman. The idea is to tell the snowman your holiday wishes and hope they come true. He’s always in the mix somewhere.

When do you start decorating? Are you one of those people who can’t wait to get out the decorations as soon as November 1 rolls around or are you more of a last-minute type?
Right after Thanksgiving I’m on it, its a short season so we want to get in the spirt right away.

Do you have any holiday decor pet peeves or faux pas?
Not really. I think if it makes you smile you should go for it. We have a girl snow man that sings Santa baby and swings a candy cane belt. I have tried to leave her in the the attic but the kids won’t hear of it.

What’s your best tip for decorating a home for the holidays in a way that’s fun, but still sophisticated?
I love getting my kids involved, they decorate gingerbread houses that we get from Di Mare in town.

What about entertaining. What’s the one thing you do to get your home ready for guests?
If we are having a party or guest over I really dial it up. Fresh flowers, candles, the right mix of music to set the mood. I love to give a little parting gift, like homemade banana bread for the morning after.

What’s your favorite local holiday tradition?
Well if a trip to McArdles doesn’t put you in the Christmas spirit, I don’t know what will. Also I was so happy to see the lights are back on Greenwich Ave. Lastly, going on the Antiquaries house tour is always fun and inspiring to see how others decorate for the holidays.