Vintage Christmas Magic with Erika Kikola
An exclusive interview with the queen of retro Christmas, interior designer Erika Kikola
It’s officially December, the most festive time of the year. This week, to kick things off, I am thrilled to be chatting with Erika Kikola who is a vintage Christmas angel with the most inspiring retro holiday set up I’ve ever seen. I remember audibly gasping when I found her page last year. I was stunned and addicted and I can’t believe she agreed to talk with me for my newsletter.
If you’ve heard the term “sad beige Christmas”, Erika’s taste is the polar opposite of that. Her tree and her interiors go viral every year on TikTok and Instagram (her handle is @whilefloriansleeps on both platforms), and for good reason— the people crave warmth! Non-LED lights! And nostalgia! Erika’s set up is both playful and chic, and her work has recently been featured in the Washington Post (personally I am not a fan of the term “tacky Christmas”, but I can save that rant for another time, and Erika addresses it herself in the Post’s article).
It’s just the absolute coolest that Erika was willing to discuss her process and share her vintage hunting tips with us over here at Let’s Party. For those who know me, you know my favorite decorations are the ones I have to really work for (cough, cough, my vintage village saga), and I hope this interview inspires you to have fun and maybe try something a little kitschy this holiday season. You might be surprised at the joy it will bring!
Shannon: Hi Erika! I am so excited to be chatting with you for Let’s Party. Your Instagram and TikTok fills me with just so much joy! Can you introduce yourself for our readers?
Erika: Hi!! Thank you so much! My name is Erika Kikola and I’m an aspiring interior designer. I’m also a stay at home mom to 3.
I want to know when and where your vintage decor obsession began. Is this an inherited trait? Did you grow up in a decor heavy house?
Good question. I had a pretty rough childhood and lived with my Grandparents half of the time. They were very strict Pentecostals so I wasn’t allowed to watch regular tv. I was allowed to watch TV Land, so I believe it may have started there. My mom liked to decorate and especially loved Christmas, it was the only time I remember her being happy.
How many Christmas trees do you have in your house this year?
Actually I only have one full sized one up and a counter top tree in my kitchen. I still need to put up 2 more. I’m very behind this year.
You have many excited followers on TikTok (where I first found you!) and even more on Instagram (43k and counting!) What has been your internet trajectory?
Oof, I struggle to be consistent and probably would be a lot further if I took it more seriously. Influencer culture is really off putting to me so I don’t really make any money doing this lol. But I started posting my house in 2019? Maybe 2020? I had my last baby in 2022 and disappeared for 1.5 years. I came back at Christmas time last year and got a really positive response.
As a side note, I loved how you decorated for Halloween. Vintage Halloween is harder to find than vintage Christmas for me. How do you approach your spooky decor?
Thanks! I agree, it’s a lot harder. I really try to thrift almost everything and I feel like because Halloween is less popular there just isn’t as much available. I have also just started a tiny collection of kitschy Easter decor. I really haven’t figured out my spooky style yet, I just like to keep it cute and not scary.
Do you throw a big holiday party? I’d have to imagine your friends are always dying to see your set up!
I used to host wayyyy more. I do plan to have a small gathering this year, you’d be surprised…I feel like some people who I know IRL don’t know how to act about my internet stuff. Some don’t even acknowledge it lol.
You have three kids and I’m curious if they are aware/appreciative that they live in such a cool house. Do they get involved with their room decor? I know you had a tween who wanted a “TikTok room” who you were gently nudging in a different direction.
I don’t know, I think my daughter (she’s 12) talks about it to others...her taste is very um, “basic” right now. Yes, she hangs up her own stuff, I laid the foundation of the space but I don’t really care what she does. I feel it would be a little hypocritical to stifle her self-expression. My son is 6 and I’m not sure he notices anything lmao. I do need to renovate his room, he shares it with my 2 year old.
I think vintage lovers have this obsessive quality where we just love the hunt. When do you make time for that? How do you know when to add to the collection and when to pass?
I used to go thrifting several times a week but taking little kids along is super stressful. I do a lot on Facebook Marketplace. There’s a flea market about 45 mins away from me and you gotta get there at 5:30 am and dig through boxes, but the prices are amazing. Some vendors have everything for $1. I went there a lot this summer. If it’s not a hell yes then it’s a no.
Okay rapid fire!
Best vintage holiday score? In 2019 I bought a family’s entire vintage Christmas decor collection for $300
Favorite Christmas movie? Home Alone
Most played Christmas song? Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses
Favorite Christmas treat (food or drink!) Peanut Butter Blossom cookies (editors note: this is mine too!!)
How long does set up/breakdown of Christmas take for you? Weeks lol.
Second favorite holiday to decorate for? Halloween
Something you’re actively searching for to add to your collection? Vintage Christmas table linens.
Thank you again so much to Erika for taking the time during her peak season to answer my burning questions! Make sure you follow along on Erika’s Insta and TikTok to watch her house get even more magical throughout December, and I know I personally can’t wait to see her Easter decor (a holiday I seriously never know what to do about decoration wise!!)