Holiday Tastemaker Spotlight: Erin Gates of Elements of Style

Holiday Tastemaker Erin Tubridy Gates is the founder and principal designer of Erin Gates Design and is also the creator of the award winning design blog Elements of Style. Her design work and writing has been featured in various publications such as O the Oprah Magazine and InStyle. Erin published her first book in 2014, the New York Times bestselling Elements of Style: Designing A Home & A Life and her second book, Elements of Family Style: Elegant Spaces for Everyday Life in April 2019.

Erin worked with Dogwood Hill artist and Creative Consultant Holly Hollon who created the artwork and graphic motifs for her Tastemaker Collection. Holly used the inspiration board that Erin made for her above as a guide as she was illustrating the citrus tree, magnolia greenery and chinoiserie designs, all reflecting the classic feel of Erin’s interior designs. Holly particularly loved the Pierre Frey wallpaper included in the inspiration board, coincidentally, also one of of her favorites! You can see where the wallpaper inspired the magnolia scallops in the finished collection. In addition, Holly felt it was important to include some greek key patterns in the collection since Erin had a holiday collection last season with Wayfair of greek key stockings, pillows and tree skirts.

We have included our Q&A with Erin below. Continue scrolling for the rest of her beautiful Holiday Collection which can be shopped here.

Favorite Holiday Tradition:

Picking out the tree right after Thanksgiving and decorating it all together.

Dream Dinner Date:

Oprah – that is one wise, interesting woman!

Favorite Last Minute Holiday Gift Idea:

A stack of favorite novels wrapped in a big, pretty bow!

Most memorable read:

“The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman. A brutal but incredible story. That really touched me.

Favorite hometown eatery:

We always have an amazing meal at Mistral in Back Bay.

What inspires you most?

My peers in the industry. Social media is a blessing and a curse – it’s easy to compare but even easier to learn from amazing talent.

Prized Possession:

Not really a possession, but my son Henry. I am thoroughly obsessed with him!

Most sentimental Christmas tree trimming:

An ornament we bought on our honeymoon. A starfish from Hawaii.

Go-to hostess gift:

If I have ample lead time – monogrammed cocktail napkins. Otherwsie a nice bottle of wine!

Hidden Talent:

I’m quite good at Cornhole!

Starbucks Order:

Grande dark roast with cream and 2 Splendas.

What did you dream of being when you were a kid?

A check out lady at the grocery store. Then a magazine editor.

What is your number one tool of the trade?

Pinterest – nothing can communicate an idea or style like an image. Great for us in showing concepts but also an important tool for our client’s to use to clearly explain their ideas.