A seven-minute walk is all that separates Stephanie Vogler’s Yaletown apartment from the Cross Decor & Design, the decor store she co-owns with her friend Darci Ilich. But as she strolls home after a day at the shop, Stephanie consciously uses the short time to set thoughts of business behind her. “I love my work and I love playing with textures and colours, but I want home to be about spending time with my family,” she says, referring to her husband, John Pierce, and their two children, Hudson, 5, and Emerson, 4. To aid in her goal, Stephanie lets simplicity be her guide. “Everything at home is casual and spontaneous,” she says – a philosophy that’s especially true during the holidays.


Stephanie Vogler's holiday home decor
Homeowner Stephanie Vogler settles in for a holiday story with her children, Hudson and Emerson.
Stephanie's home office
Bathed in natural light, Stephanie’s home office is an ideal place to address Christmas cards and review Santa’s shopping list. Simple gift wrapping
Brown kraft paper serves as gift wrap. A candy cane-striped ribbon gives the present festive flair. Simple holiday gift wrapping with ribbons and beads also lets little hands open boxes quickly.
Christmas tree
A flocked Christmas tree was a gift to Hudson and Emerson. “In Vancouver we don’t get a lot of snow so I thought they’d have fun if I brought a little bit of the white stuff inside,” says Stephanie. Shimmering metallics are part of the holiday theme. Open c oncept dining room
Layers of white and cream are everywhere here, their hues a suggestion of winter, their textures soft and cozy. Holiday meals are enjoyed with friends in the open dining room and the approach is simple and easy. “I want guests to feel relaxed enough to open the fridge and help themselves,” says Stephanie. Holiday sweets
Treats may be a Christmas mainstay but Stephanie usually buys, rather than bakes, them. “I don’t try to be a hero. You can only do so much!” she says. These delicious Christmas treats are presented with a side of sparkling vintage decorations.
Petite piano
A tiny white piano shares the floor with a bundle of string lights.
Pretty vignettes
“I like to create pretty vignettes with things I already own,” says Stephanie of the creamy roses, candy canes and metallic wallpaper remnants that share space on a tabletop.
Belgian-style chest
The Belgian-style chest in the dining room was painted white by Stephanie and doubles as a holiday bar and a buffet. Snow-white beautiful bedroom
Against a silvery backdrop of tone-on-tone wallpaper, the snow-white tufted headboard and soft bedding welcomes lazy-morning lounging. The soothing palette includes warm creams, greys, whites and peachy-pink tones. The gilded antique French mirror was the starting point for Stephanie’s decorating scheme.

Stephanie's five holiday must-haves:

1 Crafting with the kids and wrapping gifts with sparkly ribbon
“Emerson and I will make glam beaded necklaces for friends with vintage silver beads I’ve collected on my travels. We often make our own gift wrap, too, using kraft paper and white or metallic stamps. I like the contrast of the homemade kraft wrap with sparkly ribbon. Everyone re-uses ribbon, so I think it’s okay to splurge!”

2 Going to the bakery
“If I’m short on time, I buy plain gingerbread men from the bakery and decorate them at home with the kids. It’s all about the icing and candies after all. And my father is German, so in keeping with tradition we always have stollen on hand during the holidays.”

3 Decorating the tree
“I collect classic white, silver and gold ornaments and add pops of colour in my holiday decor depending on my mood that season. This year it was coral and blush.”

4 Setting out treats
“I collect pretty vases and bowls all year long, and at Christmastime, I love to place treats in them around the house. Meinhardt Fine Foods in Vancouver is a go-to during the holidays for imported goodies.”

5 Volunteering
“I love getting involved in the community, and giving back during the holidays is really rewarding.”