Interview with: Bilal Rehman
Photos by: Getty Images, unless noted

Houston-based designer Bilal Rehman, known for his in-your-face takes on redecorating, shares his innovative tips for setting the table for the season.

Tell us about your design background:
I was raised by two immigrant parents who are both very analytical people. My mom works in banking and my dad is a businessman, and neither of them has a creative bone in their body. Our home was designed by necessity alone, and I think that that really drove me to fix spaces—when I was a kid, I would get in trouble for rearranging things I wasn’t supposed to. In high school, I started interning for a full-service design agency. I advanced all the way up to senior designer a short time after graduating then started handling my own projects. I left that company in 2022 to launch my own studio, and the rest is history.

So interior design has always been important to me. Home is where people spend the most time; it needs to be a space that sparks creativity and represents your lifestyle, interests, and story. That’s always our goal at Bilal Rehman Studio.

How do you approach holiday decorating?
I believe that great design touches every sense. When you walk into a room, it shouldn’t just look pretty—it should feel good, smell good, and be well lit. With the holidays coming up, it’s the perfect time to try out these principles. For example, my biggest rule with lighting is to avoid relying on overhead lights because they wash people out. Everybody wants to feel young and lively, and layers of light help create a beautiful glow. Try mixing floor uplights and lamps, candles, and a ceiling fixture.

Would you walk us through your concept of “nonbasic tablescapes”?
To me, “basic” decor means doing what’s expected pertaining to the holiday. If it’s Thanksgiving, everybody has a turkey-shaped plate and yellow leaves or pumpkins decorating their tables. To elevate your holiday decor, find objects that work with the rest of your interiors and act as an extension of your spaces. My home is primarily black and white, so I also have black-and-white table settings in my dining room, but I incorporate something a little fancier like crystal or acrylic glasses. Play with materials and textures in such a way as to still have a beautiful table without a fake turkey sitting on it.

When you avoid hyper-seasonal decor, you’re also more budget-friendly and eco-friendly because you’re not buying pieces that you’ll put away or throw out as soon as the holidays end. There’s a perception that high-end home design and affordability are in contrast with each other, but there are thousands of different ways to achieve a beautiful design that won’t break the bank: Go to thrift or vintage stores. Purchase $20 plates from Crate & Barrel rather than $1,000 china.

Choose pieces that you can mix into your home to keep all year round or pull out to use for multiple events or holidays. For example, a beautiful crystal serving platter would be perfect for Thanksgiving, but you can also use it for Christmas because it blends seamlessly with both holidays. If you want your tablescape to feel more like Thanksgiving, play with color by setting out fresh flowers in seasonal or less obvious but complementary hues.

How can people balance different elements when choosing holiday decor?
You definitely have to find a fine balance between new and old. If you have vintage plates that are more ornate, place them next to contemporary wine glasses or clean-lined and simple silverware. That juxtaposition creates a timeless design you’ll love.

You should also balance textures when curating your decor. I would say that for every two smooth surfaces you have, you want one rough surface. For example, put a pair of simple plates next to a ribbed glass.

How do you recommend people choose centerpieces?
A lot of people tend to overstuff centerpieces, which gets really annoying because most of the time they’re way too big and block the person across the table. Instead, I would opt for about three smaller centerpieces with lower profiles or a single long one so people feel comfortable conversing around the holiday table.

What do you think is the future of holiday decorating?
I’m glad maximalism is on its way out. Too much decor doesn’t allow you to appreciate your pieces individually because you’re overstimulated and nothing seems special anymore. People are beginning to curate quality goods by going to vintage stores or flea markets and, overall, being more mindful of what they introduce into their homes.

For more info, visit bilalrehmanstudio.com