Holiday Style with Christine Walker Bowe

When it comes to holiday style, the best approach is often a mix of old and new, high and low, and a little something unexpected. It’s a philosophy that comes naturally to Christine Walker Bowe, founder of New York and Long Island-based styling firm Walker Bowe Styling. With a career spanning domino, Marie Claire, Madewell, Moda Operandi, and Michael Kors, Christine brings an editorial eye and a love of vintage finds to everything from curating a wardrobe to decorating her home.

This holiday season, we stepped inside Christine’s beautifully decorated home to celebrate the art of holiday dressing, decorating, gifting, and entertaining. From collected vintage ornaments and festive finishing touches to cozy cashmere and holiday party attire, her approach is equal parts timeless, personal, and playful. We sat down with Christine to talk about her favorite holiday traditions, seasonal style essentials, and the New York City experiences she looks forward to year after year.

Q&A with Christine Walker Bowe

Kassatex: Earliest holiday memory?
Christine Walker Bowe: Christmas mornings sitting on the stairs with my siblings while my parents checked to see if Santa came.

Kassatex: Holiday music: how early is too early?
CWB: I start in November!

Kassatex: Holiday beverage of choice?
CWB: Champagne with a spring of rosemary.

Kassatex: Color scheme: Holiday go-to colors to use?
CWB: I do a “pink tree” with colorful lights and ornaments for the kids in my front hallway and do a more formal scheme in my living room- gold, silver, etc.

Kassatex: Favorite part of the holiday season?
CWB: Everything! Seeing shows in NYC, shopping for my kids, celebrating with friends and family.

Kassatex: Best gift you ever received?
CWB: My husband gave me my dog Finley for Christmas in 2015.

Kassatex: Best gift you ever gave?
CWB: My friend Cassie is a very talented artist and I love having her commission paintings.

Kassatex: Worst gift you ever received?
CWB: Oh gosh! Probably a vacuum.

Kassatex: Favorite holiday tradition?
CWB: Seeing the Nutcracker with my girls, spending Christmas Eve with close friends, opening a bottle of champagne on Christmas day.

Kassatex: Favorite restaurant to celebrate the holidays at?
CWB: None- I like the holidays at home or a Christmas party at home.

Kassatex: A holiday tradition you are ok not to celebrate?
CWB: I wish I had never started the “elf on the shelf” tradition.

Kassatex: Best holiday movie ever?
CWB: Home Alone.

Kassatex: How has your holiday home style evolved over the years?
CWB: I collect a little bit of holiday every year. I love shopping for vintage ornaments and antiques throughout the year. I always strive to decorate the way my mom does.

Kassatex: Rainbow or White lights?
CWB: White outside and on my living room tree, colorful lights on my “kids tree.”

Kassatex: Favorite holiday floral to use?
CWB: Red and white roses with lots of greenery and ilex berry.

Kassatex: What’s the best last minute holiday gift to give?
CWB: I love a beautiful frame with a meaningful picture for the recipient (i.e. a pic of my kids for my mom).

Kassatex: Most looking forward to getting cozy under the tree or holiday parties?
CWB: Both but by December 15, getting cozy!

Kassatex: Your holiday wardrobe includes:
CWB: Lots of cashmere, a printed pant or skirt.

Kassatex: Velvet or Satin?
CWB: Velvet.

Kassatex: Loafers or Mules?
CWB: Both?

Kassatex: Online shopping or in store?
CWB: In store.

Kassatex: Favorite in store holiday shop to visit?
CWB: I love to go to Bergdorf during the season and always shop the ornament sale after Christmas. Also Hosted by Kelly Gadreau in my neighborhood has the best gifts.

Kassatex: Real or Fake: your tree must always be?
CWB: I do one of each! I love the convenience of the fake ones – they look so realistic now! But I need a real one too!

Kassatex: See the sights: one city must-see every year for you?
CWB: Nutcracker every year with my mom and girls.

Kassatex: Rockefeller Tree: worth the trip or waste of time?
CWB: Worth it!

Kassatex: Hidden holiday must-see: best place in the city to get cozy and celebrate?
CWB: The Carlyle / Bemelmans Bar.

Kassatex: Best holiday window display?
CWB: BG.

Kassatex: Holiday cards: always a yes or not a priority?
CWB: ALWAYS!

Kassatex: The city during the holidays is magic or mayhem?
CWB: Both but I love it.

Kassatex: New Years Eve is for amateurs or best night to party?
CWB: Amateurs– I love to throw an “eve of the eve” dinner party so my friends who are in town can easily get a babysitter.