It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Lauren Conrad's place.
The 30-year-old fashion designer and former reality star opens up her home in the December issue of Good Housekeeping (on newsstands Nov. 15). Conrad designed each room in a neutral color scheme—think blush, cream and tan—allowing her vibrant holiday décor to really pop.
Conrad, who recently celebrated her second wedding anniversary with attorney William Tell, says their new space reflects their shared tastes. "When William and I first moved in together, he moved into my apartment, which was very girly. So when we got our first place together, I definitely had to learn to compromise. I've never had to do that before. I mean, a little bit with my roommates, but I think it's good and I think that your home should represent both of you and both of your styles," she says. "It's definitely a blend of our tastes."
"I think he's toned down my girly a little bit, which is good because I'm an adult and everything can't be pink," she adds. "It's fun."
And Conrad and Tell are all about fun—especially around this time of year. "One of my favorite new traditions, which is from my husband William's family, is going over on Christmas morning in our pajamas," she says. "It's really sweet—his mom drops off a set for me so we'll all match."
Anyone who knows Conrad knows she loves to party. Rather than hit up the clubs, she prefers to host more intimate gatherings at home. "No matter where I'm trying to entertain, everybody ends up in the kitchen. Wherever the food and drinks are, that's where they'll be. I try to drag them to other rooms. I'm like, 'Come on guys, I've decorated this whole room,' but they don't care," the former Laguna Beach and Hills star admits. "They're like, 'The cheese platter is here.'"
Food is only part of the equation. According to Conrad, a festive ensemble is a must. "If you go to a lot of holiday parties, it's good to invest in accessories that can help mix up a little black dress, such as a cool embellished jacket, a statement necklace or fun heels," she suggests. "Buying a new outfit for every party can get costly—I like having fun with accessories instead."
Those accessories can be recycled for low-key date nights. "When William and I go on a date, it's pretty casual. We have a local sushi place that we really like to go to. I love a place that you don't have to put makeup on to go to. You can just go, have a glass of wine, eat dinner and have a really relaxing night," she says. "Those are our favorite nights, because we have busy days."