Deck
Halls
the
Wreaths and garlands and trees, oh my! Turning
a house into a welcoming holiday home is a task
many of us relish. But keeping festive décor feeling
new, without buying new, can be a challenge.
We asked area professionals to tell us how they
decorate their own homes and let us in on their
secrets to holiday style. Their advice proves there’s no
wrong way to trim your tree, just keep it fresh and fun
with a touch of sparkle.
Magnolia leaves
and burlap
ribbon steal
the show in this
Christmas scene
created by
Southern Studio
Interior Design.
COMPILED BY EMILY UHLAND
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN
CARY MAGAZINE 61
Southern Studio’s
Vicky Serany says
evergreens clipped
from the yard layered
with texture and
consistent color can’t
miss. “The colors of
nature go with any
color palette.”
approach to holiday decorating is simple, natural and classic.
“I tryMytopersonal
always go for quality and add in pieces every year so it stays fresh.
”
“
I love to decorate the foyer and
Vicky Serany
Southern Studio Interior Design
225 North Salem St.,
“
I’m seeing more of a trend
the family room; that’s where you
to adjust the traditional
greet and gather with your friends.
holiday red and green to fit
The dining room is a great spot too.
with the color scheme of your
Many people don’t use that space
own interior spaces. You can
on a regular basis, so that’s your
do a lot even without color.
Suite 122, Apex
(919) 362-5143
southernstudio.com
”
one time to let that room shine.
“with your kids. Just keep the photos in the back of
Fill picture frames with photos of past Christmases
”
the frames year round for an easy flip.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
Get some greenery and add
sparkle. If all else fails use
whites and creams, and then
you can carry the look into
”
January.
Don’t go out and buy all new
“decorations,
just use your classic
pieces in a new location to make
Martha Brown
them different.
”
“Holiday
decorating
should be simple,
elegant and
memorable. I love
Southern Studio Interior Design
using childhood
225 North Salem St.,
Suite 122, Apex
(919) 362-5143
southernstudio.com
Ribbons are always
“something
that can be
ornaments and
easily changed out to
bring back great
give a fresh update.
”
decorations to
”
memories.
CARY MAGAZINE 63
“
I always love a new hanging for my
door. I choose a new seasonal flower to
“Since my home has a
softer palette of color, we
keep on hand each year for mixing in
with my candles, so it feels new — lilies,
”
silver lamb’s ear or some dark berries.
Heather Garrett
Heather Garrett Interior Design
524 South Duke St., Durham
(919) 684-4900
heathergarrettdesign.com
“
Keeping in mind the color palette
and overall style of the existing space can
help keep your space harmonious; that
‘winter decorations’ to be
more about the glimmer
said, homemade arts and crafts projects
of warmth and sparkle
by the kids and nostalgic decorations
of special occasions,
”
“always be the centerpiece of our holiday motif.
”
By far, my children’s handmade masterpieces will
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
whites and sparkly
metallics. This also allows
will always ‘go!’
64
gravitate toward winter
rather than a thematic
decorating tied to one
”
particular holiday.
Garrett strives
for the “glimmer
of warmth and
sparkle of special
occasions” on her
holiday tables.
CARY MAGAZINE 65
“
I really like to get my decorating done
in November. December seems to fly with
“No matter
which way you
the hustle and bustle of the holidays. By
decorating early, I am able to enjoy the
style your home
decorating for a whole month, and it really
… be consistent.
”
gets me into the holiday spirit!
Lauren McKay
Design Lines, Ltd
1611 Jones Franklin Road, Suite 101
Raleigh
(919) 852-0570
designlinesltd.com
Repeating colors and
elements will drive
“
your holiday theme
a rustic feel. I even put pine cones in
and make the space
I switch things up every year. Last year
I added in natural elements that brought
”
branches of my tree for a wintry touch.
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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
cohesive.
”
Utilizing family
photos and a
dash of ingenuity
creates a holiday
look for a steal.
McKay recommends creative ways to get festive on a budget:
t Create a 2-dimensional tree with painters tape on the
wall if space is limited. Pom pom garland and paper
snowflakes make great ornaments! (above right)
t Take large gift tags and glue old family photos on the
tags. Then string the tags with either yarn or wire and
hang them on the wall. Family and friends will love
looking at Christmases past and you’ll love revisiting
those memories too! (above center)
t Use free printable holiday quotes from Pinterest or
online searches and put them in existing frames for
instant holiday art. (above left)
t Pick a specific wrapping paper as inspiration for your
color scheme for the season.
t Switch out throw pillows for an easy way to change up
your living room — the perfect place to bring together
your holiday color scheme for maximum impact.
t Garland changes the look and feel of a space and is an
easy way to bring in the holiday spirit.
t If you want a glitzy feel, buy bags of tinsel and hang
long strands from the ceiling. Can be recycled perfectly
for that New Year’s Eve party!
CARY MAGAZINE 67
Rebecca Reed
Grace Interiors and Design Co.
Fuquay-Varina
(919) 418-0998
[email protected]
“
I am sentimental and nostalgic, and
that shows in my decorations. I find
things that remind me of something
from my childhood, whether it is a set of
vintage ornaments that remind me of my
grandmother or an old runner sled my
”
sisters and I used growing up.
“I love using natural
elements to decorate my
home during the holidays.
“It is important when
Every year my family receives a pine wreath from
decorating for the holidays
my aunt and uncle in Maine. ... I am also a sucker
to know when to edit.
”
for a natural tree in the home.
Just because you have it
doesn’t mean you have to
use it. I like to save some
“
I love drawing inspiration from my classic New England roots and
things for the next year ...
combining it with sophisticated Southern charm. In my Christmas
decor, you are just as likely to find berries, evergreens and plaid ribbon
”
this will keep things from
combined with mercury glass ornaments and a bow for the tree topper.
68
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
feeling stale.
”
Susan Tollefsen
Susan Tollefsen Interiors
2025 Progress Court, Raleigh
(919) 272-7881
susantinteriors.com
“I am all about making holiday
decorating fun and different. I
am not traditional or trendy;
I just like to come up with
unusual things to decorate with
and use interesting colors.
”
“
I think this is the one time of year you can make
your home different from everyday. You may want
to include a color that is prominent in your existing
”
décor, but really, you don’t have to!
“
Every year I try to do a new wreath. I did double
hung boxwood wreaths with hot pink silk ribbons. I
love a square wreath and I LOVE ribbon, especially
”
finding really different stuff each year.
“I never use red and green, but I love
them — very classic.
”
CARY MAGAZINE 69
MA Allen
MA Allen Interiors
Raleigh
(919) 699-3131
maalleninteriors.com
“
I love all the Christmas traditions and decorations I grew
up with at home — fresh greenery, beautiful mantels and
centerpieces my mom would spend hours on. I continue
the tradition in my own home, selecting only the freshest
garlands, berries, wreaths and trees. For me it is about the
”
sights, and smells, of Christmas!
“I love trimming a mantel! It’s always in
front of a wood burning fire where I find
myself spending time with family and
”
friends over the holidays.
“
I use family tradition as a base for holiday décor, but with
unexpected touches that make the overall look very ‘me.’ I like
throwing in graphic patterns, using a square wreath instead of
traditional round, choosing shades of green and red that are
not your true Christmas colors, and adding dashes of silver and
”
crystal for sparkle.
70
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013
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CARY MAGAZINE 71