Romantic, Lived-In Styling with Cristy Pack
Some homes feel beautiful; others feel like a story you get to step into. The Iron Victorian is firmly in the second category—a historic Michigan mansion brought back to life by Cristy Pack and her husband, filled with layered neutrals, vintage treasures, and just the right touch of modern ease.
At CG Hunter, we’re honored to partner with Cristy on a curated collection that reflects her signature style: quietly romantic, thoughtfully collected, and grounded in pieces that feel like they’ve always belonged. Her picks celebrate texture, history, and softness—exactly what you want in a home that’s meant to be lived in, not just observed.
Meet The Iron Victorian
The Iron Victorian is more than a beautiful house; it’s an ongoing restoration story. Cristy and her family are renovating their 1800s Victorian home room by room, balancing original details with modern comfort. Their spaces mix antique furniture, character-rich finishes, and a palette of warm neutrals that feels both grounded and elevated.
In her work with CG Hunter, Cristy gravitates toward décor that feels timeless: sculptural greenery that could pass for heirloom plants, vessels that look collected over time, and textiles that effortlessly soften a room. You can see that sensibility in our Iron Victorian x CG Hunter feature and explore her full edit in The Iron Victorian collection, where each piece has been chosen to complement layered, historic-inspired interiors.
If your style leans toward “modern heritage”—a mix of classic bones, textural neutrals, and subtle romance—Cristy’s favorites are a thoughtful place to begin.
Sculptural Greenery for Collected Rooms
Cristy often starts with greenery, using a few key pieces to soften strong architecture and bring a sense of life into a room without visual noise. That philosophy is at the heart of her picks. See how expertly she styles our magnolia garland on the stairs!
For height and drama, Cristy turns to the CG Hunter Faux Bird of Paradise. This tall, sculptural tree—with its arching tropical leaves and realistic structure—adds a fresh counterpoint to traditional millwork or vintage bricks. It’s a favorite in dining rooms and living spaces where she wants to pull the eye up and create an airy canopy of green.
Another of her curated pieces is the Artificial White Double Stem Orchid . This 25-inch orchid in a modern grey pot has tall, sculptural stems and lifelike blooms that instantly add elegance to a console, sideboard, or dressing table. Its white petals and refined shape echo the romance of Victorian florals while feeling clean and contemporary in a neutral setting.
Together, these two pieces reflect Cristy’s balance of lush and restrained. The orchid introduces soft romance at eye level, while the Birds of Paradise tree anchors a corner or flanks a fireplace, giving rooms that layered, collected feel without demanding constant care.
A Neutral Foundation Underfoot
Texture is essential in any lived-in home, especially one with hard surfaces and historic architecture. Cristy’s choice of rugs focuses on natural materials that quietly anchor a room while letting the furniture and decor shine.
The Natural Round Scalloped Jute Rug is one of her most versatile foundations. Handwoven from 100% jute and crafted in India, it features a scalloped edge that softens corners and adds subtle detail to reading nooks, entryways, and bedside spaces. The neutral tone blends effortlessly with wood floors, stone, or tile, while the texture introduces that essential “barefoot comfort” feeling.
Placed beneath a small accent chair, a vintage pedestal, or an antique chest, this rug defines the vignette without overwhelming it. It’s the sort of understated piece that quietly ties a room together—exactly the kind of foundation. It's no wonder Cristy of Iron Victorian has it on her list.
Layers of Light: Candles, Lanterns, and Glow
Cristy’s interiors always feel warm and lived in, thanks in large part to layered lighting. Beyond overhead fixtures, she leans heavily on candlelight and soft glow to bring depth to her rooms.
The CG Hunter Handcrafted Antique Brass 3.5-inch Candle Holders are a natural fit for her style. These petite candlesticks bring a vintage-inspired note to mantels, shelves, or dining tables. Their warm brass finish pairs beautifully with both deep wood tones and painted surfaces, and their low profile makes it easy to cluster them in groups or tuck them into layered arrangements. See how naturally they integrate with our bud vases?
For a bolder glow, Cristy features our Large Brass Lantern. Tall, rustic, and timeless, it’s designed to house pillar candles or string lights and works beautifully on porches, hearths, or at the base of a staircase. The handcrafted metal frame and warm finish echo classic lanterns you might expect to find in a historic property, but with clean lines that feel modern and refined.
By mixing petite brass candlesticks with a statement lantern, Cristy creates layers of light that shift with the time of day—bright at dusk, moody and romantic by evening. It’s an easy way to make a room feel thoughtfully styled without rearranging furniture or adding more color.
Thoughtful Surfaces: Trays, Tables, and Vases
Another hallmark of the Iron Victorian aesthetic is the way surfaces are styled: never cluttered, but never sparse. Every piece has a purpose.
The CG Hunter Tray with Handle in Crème is one of Cristy’s go-to recomendations for building vignettes. With its soft crème finish, oval shape, and integrated handles, it works as both a display surface and a practical serving piece. On a coffee table, it might hold a stack of books, a candle, and a small vase. On a console, it might corral everyday essentials into a single, beautiful moment.
To pair with it, Cristy often turns to the Large Crème Vase, available via the CG Hunter Amazon Shoppe. With its smooth, matte finish, oval silhouette, and generous height, this vase is ideal for branches, faux florals, or even left empty as a sculptural object. It feels at home on a dining table, sideboard, or built-in shelf and introduces a quiet, contemporary note that balances more traditional elements in the room.
Cristy also loves small accent furniture that can float from room to room as needed. The CG Hunter Accent Table, 18-inch Black Wooden Accent Table, which you’ll find on, is one of those flexible pieces. Its compact footprint and rich black finish make it ideal as a pedestal for a plant, a side table beside a reading chair, or a landing spot in a hallway. Wherever it goes, it creates a small stage for decor without feeling heavy or overbearing.
Quiet Color: Table Linens and Florals
Even in a neutral home, color has a role—it just tends to be soft, layered, and intentional. Cristy’s picks in textiles and tabletop details lean into that philosophy.
The CG Hunter Grey Hydrangea Tablecloth, is a beautiful way to introduce pattern without overwhelming a table. The floral motif feels classic and romantic, but the palette remains calm and versatile. Draped over a dining table or layered with a runner, it sets the stage for gatherings that feel special but never fussy.
To complement it, try the CG Hunter Floral Napkins from Iron Victorian's picks. These cloth napkins echo the same sense of timeless pattern—soft florals, nuanced tones, and a look that works equally well for everyday meals and more formal dinners. Styled with brass candlesticks and a simple centerpiece, they bring a hint of romance to the table without competing with the rest of the decor.
For the finishing touch, she often layers in glass. The CG Hunter Borosilicate Etched Glass Bud Vase Set, offers three slender vases with delicate etched detail. They’re perfect for single stems—real or faux—and work equally well on a mantel, windowsill, or bedside table. Their light-catching texture and airy silhouettes keep arrangements feeling effortless and modern.
A Sculptural Olive Moment
One of the standout pieces in Cristy’s selection is the CG Hunter Faux Olive Arrangement, available on Amazon. This 30-inch arrangement pairs slender olive branches with an artisan-style vessel, creating a sculptural moment that feels both European-inspired and perfectly at home in a Victorian setting.
Cristy often uses olive as a softer alternative to traditional florals or heavier greenery. The narrow leaves and gentle movement of the branches add life without visual weight, making this piece ideal for places where you want presence but not clutter—think a kitchen counter near a stack of cookbooks, a console in a long hallway, or a small accent table tucked into a reading corner.
Like so many of her favorites, it bridges eras: you could imagine it sitting in an old-world farmhouse or a freshly renovated dining room, and it would feel equally at home in both.
Bringing Iron Victorian Warmth into Your Home
What unites all of Cristy Pack’s picks for CG Hunter is intention. Each piece—whether it’s the Artificial White Double Stem Orchid, the sculptural Faux Birds of Paradise Plant on Amazon, the Natural Round Scalloped Jute Rug, or the Floral Napkins—is chosen to support a story of warmth, history, and ease rather than overwhelm a space.
If you’re drawn to the Iron Victorian’s blend of vintage character and modern comfort, start with one small moment: a vignette on an accent table, a quiet centerpiece on your dining table, or a styled corner with a jute rug, a tree, and a lantern. Over time, these thoughtful choices add up, turning your home into a place that feels like it’s evolved naturally, layer by layer.
Explore Cristy’s full edit through The Iron Victorian collection at CG Hunter and discover how her favorite pieces can help you shape rooms that feel soulful, timeless, and uniquely your own. For more inspiration, visit our Iron Victorian feature and follow Cristy’s renovation journey on The Iron Victorian website.
Stay Connected with CG Hunter and The Iron Victorian
Bring more of this romantic, lived-in style into your everyday spaces with CG Hunter. Explore additional greenery, decor, and curated collaborations—plus seasonal inspiration—through our collections and Holiday Shoppe. Discover more luxury styling inspiration and handcrafted decor through CGHunter.com and our Holiday Shoppe. Follow @CGHunterHome on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for styling ideas, behind-the-scenes moments, and new releases inspired by homes like The Iron Victorian.
