Easy and intentional Christmas styling the HomeUp way
Published:Sunday | December 21, 2025 | 12:02 AM
When we stepped into HomeUp: Indoor and Outdoor Décor on a breezy weekday afternoon, Christmas wasn’t just in the air. It was in the lighting, the throws, and the music playing softly in the background. It’s the kind of boutique that feels bigger on the inside, like it expands the moment you walk in. And maybe that’s because Suzette Dawkins, the woman at its heart, has a gift for making small spaces feel expansive, not just physically, but emotionally. It doesn’t take long to understand why.
Dawkins grew up in a home where every little occasion felt big and where celebration was treated like a language. Today, in her Hillcrest Avenue boutique, she speaks that language fluently through every piece she curates. HomeUp is the modern version of her home and her first store, The Perfect Gift, long before she ever imagined leaving banking after 33 years. Friends often passed through her house to browse chairs, artwork, rugs, and beautifully curated gift items. Today, the scale has changed – more pieces, more variety, more curated beauty – but the warmth is the same.
Step outside, and you’ll find a whole world of outdoor living brought to life with the same thoughtful touch. “My husband, Stephen Dawkins, really leads the outdoor side of things. He handles landscaping for both homes and commercial spaces. I get to add the finishing touches, like picking the pots and planters that make everything pop. And it’s not just the pots. We also carry patio chairs, tables, and other outdoor furniture that turn a yard or balcony into a real hangout spot,” she told Sunday Lifestyle.
“We want people to feel pleasantly surprised,” she said. “You come for a flowerpot and leave with a rug or a bed or the perfect gift you didn’t even know you needed.”
Dawkins curates everything intentionally. She thinks about her son, 26, setting up his first space. She thinks about her mother’s generation, which leans towards classic pieces. And she thinks about the over-40 shoppers, the ones who know exactly what they want, down to how soft the rug should feel under their feet. “They’re particular,” she said, smiling. “But that’s exactly what helps me choose better.”
And that ‘pleasant surprise’ is exactly what makes the store feel magical. Walking through the boutique, you can’t help but gather ideas, the kind that make you picture your own space differently. So it made perfect sense to sit with Dawkins and talk about décor for real homes, not showroom-perfect spaces, but the everyday rooms most Jamaicans live in.
WHAT’S TRENDING FOR CHRISTMAS?
With the holiday rush upon us, everyone is trying to refresh their décor without overspending. Dawkins shared that several items are shaping Christmas styling this season.
“Lighting is a big one. People still want to get their lighting right. Sometimes that’s all they’re doing, just lights. Lights on the tree, lights in the backyard, lights on the mango tree. So I make sure we have good lighting options because that’s what they come in asking for,” she shared.
Christmas wreaths are another must-have. The in-demand item helps to achieve maximum impact without much effort. “The minute you put up a wreath, it screams Christmas,” said Dawkins.
Throws and cushions always do well. “Throws have always been around, but what I’ve done is make them pop. You’re used to your red throw. At HomeUp, I’m giving you a rich blue, a rich green – and different shades of it, too – so you must pick one. Throws, cushions, those are standard Christmas items. They don’t cost a lot, and people love them. Even the entrance mats that say ‘Welcome’ or ‘Happy Holidays’ do really well,” she shared.
And what’s Christmas without pyjamas? “They make perfect gifts, too. So this year, I decided to bring in about four styles,” she shared.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY TRANSFORMATION
Not everyone wants to overhaul the whole house. Most people are simply trying to make their space feel refreshed despite tight budgets.
Dawkins’ top low-cost changes to make the biggest impact would be a fresh coat of paint. “Paint changes everything. Once someone paints a room, it suddenly feels brighter and cleaner, and they no longer feel pressured to replace all their furniture,” she said.
You can also make a small addition, updating cushions instead of buying new furniture, or introducing a lamp. “One standing lamp, placed just right, can transform a room. Paired with fresh paint, it adds that soft glow people love,” Dawkins added.
Of course, no visit to HomeUp would be complete without learning a few of Dawkins’ designer secrets. These are the simple touches she swears by, the ones anyone can bring into their own home to make it feel functional and personal.
“Oh, [there are] so many simple things!” Dawkins shared with a laugh. “First, warmth. The experience you have in your home is important. Elements that help create warmth include rugs, mats, runners, entrance décor, a little greenery like plants, and definitely lights, whether it’s a standing lamp or a desk lamp,” she said.
“Second, functionality. The pieces that allow you to do what you need to do. Make sure everything you choose actually works for your life and that your furniture fits how you live.”
Dawkins’ last tip is privacy, even in open spaces. She recommends creating little nooks or using plants or screens to create calm corners that feel personal.
“Do these, and your home instantly feels styled without trying too hard,” she shared.