A Cozy Christmas with Liz Marie Galvan

For years now, so many of us have been inspired by the life, blog, and decorating of Liz Marie Galvan. Known for her take on cozy style, she has authored books, developed a collection with QVC, and become one of the most influential voices in the blogging world. We wanted to learn more about how Liz spends the holiday season, so we sat down for a few questions.

Introduce yourself!

Hi! I am Liz Marie Galvan! Wife of a veteran, mom of two boys, living on a small farm in West Michigan. I’m an author, shop owner, a creative who has way too many unfinished projects at all times, but I do share the ones I finish on social media daily along with our 1800s farmhouse renovations.

In your opinion, what is cottage style?

To me, cottage style is a home that feels collected, cozy, and naturally lived-in. It’s not about everything matching or following a specific set of design rules. It’s mixing old pieces with new, bringing in antiques that have character and a story, using warm textures, imperfect finishes, and things that simply make you feel good in your home.

I’m really inspired by English and French cottage style, but I also love the simplicity and function of an old American farmhouse. Cottage style is charming and a little eclectic. It should look and feel like it has evolved over time rather than being decorated all at once. More than anything, I think cottage style is about creating a home that feels welcoming, comfortable, and uniquely yours.

How did you develop your personal style?

Slowly. And I think that’s actually one of the best ways to develop a unique personal style. My style has changed a lot over the years because I’ve changed. Our family has changed, our homes have changed, and the things that inspire me have changed. I used to think finding your style meant eventually landing on one very specific look. Now, I think your personal style is supposed to evolve with you through each season of life.

Living in an old farmhouse with two boys and a lot of animals has definitely pushed me toward embracing more color, historic details, antiques, traditional elements, and things that feel as though they belong in an old home. I’m always asking myself whether something feels cozy, collected, and authentic to us rather than whether it fits into a particular trend. The more I stopped worrying about what I was supposed to like, the more our home started feeling like us.

What makes a great space?

How it makes you feel and how it functions to serve you. A room can be beautiful, but if nobody wants to sit in it or if it doesn’t work for you and your family, I don’t think it’s doing its job. A great space should invite you in. There should be somewhere comfortable to sit, lighting that feels good, things that are meaningful to you, and details that make you want to stay awhile. I always talk about creating that “ah, I’m home” feeling. That’s what I’m chasing when I decorate.

And, honestly, some of the things that make a room great aren’t necessarily the prettiest things in it. They’re the basket that holds your family’s blankets, the antique table everyone gathers around, the chair where you read to your kids, or something passed down from someone you love. A great space supports your life while telling a little bit of your story.

Give us a tip for cottage decorating.

Don’t buy everything at once. Give yourself permission to let a room evolve. Shop your own home, go antiquing, visit flea markets, move furniture around, and wait for the piece that makes you excited.

I love mixing antiques with newer pieces because antiques immediately bring age, texture, and character into a space. Even one old piece can keep a room from feeling too new or too perfect.

And don’t underestimate cozy layers. Rugs, lamps, books, art, baskets, pillows, curtains, and collected objects are often what take a room from simply decorated to feeling like home.

Who inspires you on social media?

I find inspiration in so many different places, and I especially love following people who have a really distinct point of view. Jean Stoffer is someone whose work I’ve admired—the craftsmanship, timeless choices, cabinetry, and attention to the details of a home are always inspiring.

Another unique cozy cottage account I love is @itsmargoroth. Her unique ability to create a cozy home is one to watch, and everything she touches is pure magic. Love to follow her!

Tell us about Christmas at your house.

Christmas at our house is definitely a lot but in the coziest way possible. I love Christmas, and I love how completely a home can transform during the season. There are trees, greenery, ribbons, twinkle lights, vintage ornaments, collections, candles, and Christmas tucked into little corners all over the farmhouse. But my favorite part isn’t necessarily one specific decoration. It’s the glow of the house at night when all of the little Christmas lights are on and everyone is home.

I love a Christmas home that feels nostalgic and collected rather than perfect. Some years, I’ll fall in love with a particular color or theme, but there are always those familiar pieces that come back year after year. Those are the things that eventually become part of your family’s Christmas story.

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

This makes me emotional to think about, but Christmas at my grandma’s on Christmas Eve every year was the most magical. The party seemed to last forever, and besides the cozy warmth of my grandma’s home, her excitement for the holiday was so contagious, so the memories of the holidays in her home are so vivid. The collected heirloom Christmas ornaments on the trees, Christmas cards displayed on her piano that she received in the mail, and, of course, the food she took hours to prepare. She really taught me the art of welcoming people in and making them feel cozy.

Give us a Christmas decorating tip.

Decorate with things that feel nostalgic to you, not just trends or things you see people doing online.

Christmas is probably the one time of year when I think more really can be more. Layer the garland. Hang the ribbon. Bring out your collections. Put up another tree if it makes you happy. But instead of feeling like you need to replace your Christmas décor every year, start building a collection you can add to over time. Vintage ornaments, bells, old Christmas books, handmade pieces, family keepsakes, and even simple greenery can create so much character. I also love using lamps, candles, and twinkle lights instead of relying only on overhead lighting. That warm glow instantly makes a space feel magical.

And remember that your Christmas doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s Christmas. Use the colors you love, display the sentimental things, and create traditions that feel like your family.

Any parting thoughts?

Cozy to me is always my five senses being at peace at once, so if you are stuck on where to start, start with your senses. Light the candles, put a record on, switch out your textiles for your coziest options, add some festive touches, and bake your favorite Christmas dessert to make memories with those you love.