A Step-by-Step Guide to Recreating CG Hunter’s Signature Seasonal Entryway

This season, the most beautiful homes aren’t defined by extravagance—they’re defined by intention. Holiday decorating has evolved into an art of subtle layering, natural textures, and timeless warmth. One of the simplest yet most striking ways to express that is through your console table or entryway.

The console design featured here captures everything we love about CG Hunter’s approach to holiday styling: sculptural greenery, golden candlelight, and a sense of serenity that feels collected, not cluttered. With a few key pieces, you can recreate this refined look in your own home.

Step 1: Establish Your Design Direction

Before you begin styling, take a moment to set your intention. Think of this process as building your own mini style guide—a visual theme to keep your holiday décor cohesive and effortless.

As Studio Van M explains, defining a style direction ensures harmony across every design decision. For this vignette, the foundation words are natural, sculptural, and warm.

This framework will guide the materials, colors, and finishes you choose—keeping the result elevated and cohesive.

Step 2: Start with a Natural Greenery Base

Greenery forms the heart of this design. Instead of store-bought garlands that feel too sparse or artificial, this look begins with two 9' Cedar Garlands from CG Hunter, twisted together to create a lush, voluminous foundation.

Doubling the garlands creates the fullness you’d expect in high-end interiors seen in The Spruce or Life on Cedar Lane. The result is soft, draping texture that flows naturally across the table’s surface and cascades gently over the sides.

To style it:

Begin by laying the first garland along the console’s length, letting the ends fall loosely.
Twist the second garland over it, alternating direction to create depth and movement.
Step back occasionally to ensure the shape feels organic, not symmetrical.

The key is restraint—let the greenery breathe rather than covering every inch. The texture and volume alone make a statement.

Step 3: Layer in Candlelight

Once your greenery base feels balanced, it’s time to introduce warmth and vertical rhythm through candlelight. This is where the console truly comes to life.

We used three sets of Antique Brass Charlotte Candleholders—a total of nine handcrafted pieces—to line the center of the garland. Utilizing the height of the different candleholders creates visual flow to guide the eye, while the antique brass finish brings gentle contrast to the dark wood of the table.

To recreate the look:

Space the candleholders irregularly across the length of the garland, avoiding perfect alignment.
Alternate heights and taper colors to create a collected feel. For this look, we used ivory and deep green candles in both straight and twisted styles for a subtle mix of tradition and modernity.
Keep groupings of two or three candleholders slightly closer together for visual rhythm.

When lit, the flicker of the flame reflects off the brass, casting soft highlights over the cedar greenery. It’s a simple composition that feels elevated through balance, texture, and repetition.

Step 4: Refine the Composition

After placing your candleholders, take a few steps back and view the entire display as one cohesive piece.

Does it feel balanced from both ends? Are the candle heights varied enough to keep the eye moving? Adjust placement until the flow feels effortless.

If your table is ornate, like the spindle-leg console in the photo, leave open space at the top so the craftsmanship remains visible. As Caitlin Marie Design notes, styling is as much about what you leave out as what you add—negative space allows each element to shine.

Step 5: Elevate with Subtle Details

The magic of great design lies in its finishing touches. Consider how light interacts with your composition throughout the day.

During daylight, the cedar greenery brings natural movement and texture. At night, the candlelight transforms it—creating a layered, sculptural display that feels alive.

For added depth, you can tuck a few ornaments or gilded accents into the greenery. Keep them tonal—champagne, ivory, or matte gold—so they enhance rather than compete.

If your console is positioned near a mirror, let the reflection double the light, amplifying the effect without adding more décor. The goal is harmony, not excess.

Step 6: An Alternative Look — Sculptural Simplicity

For a more understated or family-friendly variation, swap the candleholders for Assorted Paper Trees.

These sculptural pieces add volume and form without flame or metal, offering a soft, modern alternative. Group them in clusters of varying heights, weaving the bases gently into the greenery for a seamless blend.

The paper texture adds visual interest and a tactile contrast against the faux cedar. The look feels Scandinavian-inspired—clean, layered, and quietly festive. It’s especially beautiful in spaces with a neutral or minimalist aesthetic.

Step 7: Balance the Setting

A well-styled console doesn’t exist in isolation—it should complement its surroundings.

If your walls are white or light-toned, like in our setting, let the contrast between the dark wood table and green garland become the focal point. If your walls are darker, consider adding metallic or ivory candles to brighten the vignette.

You can also incorporate ambient lighting nearby—a table lamp or wall sconce—to highlight the garland’s natural texture even when the candles aren’t lit.

Step 8: Extend the Look Throughout Your Home

Once you’ve established your palette and materials, use them to inspire the rest of your holiday décor. Repetition builds cohesion, making your home feel intentional from entryway to dining room.

Use the same cedar garland across a mantel or staircase.
Repeat the brass candleholders on your dining table for continuity.
Add a few paper trees to side tables or shelves to echo the sculptural shapes.

This continuity reflects the design principle outlined by Studio Van M—creating a visual through-line that ties each room together while allowing subtle variation.

Step 9: Finish with Scent and Sound

Great design engages every sense. To complete the experience, pair your styled console with a seasonal fragrance—think cedar, balsam, or amber. A quiet playlist of instrumentals or soft jazz enhances the calm, refined mood.

Your console then becomes more than a vignette—it becomes an atmosphere.

Why This Look Works

This design succeeds because it balances texture, proportion, and restraint. The cedar garland provides volume and movement, the candleholders offer height and light, and the wood console anchors everything with richness and warmth.

Each element plays its part without overwhelming the others, creating a timeless arrangement that can evolve year after year.

By following these steps, you don’t just recreate a look—you develop a deeper understanding of your own design sensibilities.

Create Your Own Version

Every home has its rhythm and personality. Use this look as inspiration, but adapt it to your space.

Try different candle colors, vary your garland placement, or introduce ribbon for softness. The beauty of this design is its flexibility—refined enough for formal entertaining, yet warm enough for daily living.

As Life on Cedar Lane reminds us, great holiday decorating isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. The feeling of warmth when you walk through the door, the glow of candlelight catching the greenery, and the quiet sense of celebration that lingers long after the season ends.

Discover the Pieces

Bring this look to life with CG Hunter’s handcrafted holiday collection:

Explore the full collection in our Holiday Shoppe and discover how small moments of design can transform your home into a sanctuary of light and texture.

Follow @CGHunterHome on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for daily styling inspiration, or visit CGHunter.com for more refined home décor made to last in beauty and craftsmanship.