Holiday House

With Christmas just two days away, here's a grand, old house in Greenwich my talented team and I decorate every year. Between the inside and out, we use ropes of thick, freshly cut garland—283 feet in all!—mixing juniper, Fraser fir and, new this year, magnolia. I love how its rich, copper tones pick up on the brick, while the greenery blends subtly with the color of the shutters and door.

To enhance the wreath, we used cinnamon-colored ornament baubles, grouped into clusters.  

Here's the before shot of the archway off the main foyer, leading to the living room.

And here it is decorated with 44 feet of garland (front and back!), then embellished with faux glittered poinsettias in pretty hues of persimmon and burnt umber.   

The staircase before...

The staircase after...

In my mind, decorating for the holidays, from Halloween all the way through Easter, should enhance your home, not take away from it. Here, I love how the garland picks up on the rugs and upholstery throughout the house. Even in the living room, with its rich, green striae wallpaper and persimmon-colored upholstery...

...the garland enhances the decor in a subtle, sophisticated way.  

Of course, I couldn't have done any of it without my trusted team of elves! 

And finally, here's a moment I love that Ronny (middle-left) created out of greenery scraps, leftover baubles and ribbon, like a beautiful bird's nest nuzzled snuggly in a sconce. How pretty is that?     

With every year at this holiday house different from the last, are there any ideas you'd like to share for next year?

Comments

[Lynn Waller of Pixie Dust Painting- Benjamin Moore PDS]

all i can say is WOW how awesome are the garlands -

[Amy]

Eddie,
Always love things over here. I just posted on the challenges of the 2 story foyer...filling in dead space. We used trim and mouldings. Love this look here too.
Amy

[Anne]

Gorgeous, and since its after Christmas, Happy New Year! Do you happen to know where they found the stair runner? It would be just perfect for my new house in Chicago. Lovely pictures.

[David P.]

Beautiful snd elegant, both inside and out...how can you top that? You've done it again, what an inviting holiday space. Since you asked - for something traditional with a twist, maybe a wide tartan ribbon with the room's colors, still using lots of natural greenery, also solid-color ornaments using those colors. Thanks for sharing these great photos with us, Eddie - Happy New Year to you and Jaithan!

[Donna]

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!
Looking forward to a happy and healthy New Year! May God Bless! Donna

[Janet Doherty]

Definately complimented the existing color scheme...perfectly swagged garlands...amazing and refined. Congrats to you and your elves...a great job as always.
Merry Christmas to you and Jaithan.
Looking foward to a wonderfully inspiring 2010.
All my best
Janet

[Judy]

Just wanted to stop by and wish you and Jaithan a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I may be at Scotts when you are in January but will be with a buyer on Sat. only so I will miss seeing ya'll. Also, Rhoda emailed me about her invite to meet with you all and Steve...how exciting.

Hugs to you both!
Judy

[Barbara Nieder]

Sorry Eddie, this year is so fabulous that you can never top it next Christmas. (I would just love to eat my words.)

[Cecelia]

Beautiful house, but a little on the cool side.

Your warm-hued Christmas finery utterly brought this home to life!

[lynne@lynnesgiftsfromtheheart]

Eddie, fabulous!! Loved the transformation, as well as seeing your mother. She is one gorgeous woman.. From our home to yours, A very Merry Christmas..hugs ~lynne~

[Padgetthoke@aol.com]

Those garlands are gorgeous, I love how swagged they are! And the ribbon in the last shot is so lovely, great sophisticated color! Impressive job!

[Laura Casey Interiors]

I love the Magnolia! It looks beautiful. Merry Christmas!

[Charlotta]

Looks stunning as usual, and also like you all had such a great time!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
I look forward to another exciting and inspiring blog year in 2010. Thanks for everything.

With love,
Charlotta

[La Maison Fou blog]

Happy Holidays Jaithan & Eddie ...
Wishing you the best in 2010!
Leslie

[honey living]

gorg! i so agree that it should add to a home's decor - and the garland looks like it belongs in that home year-round!

[Evelyn Weiss]

Stunning, warm, perfect, perfect, perfect! And a dream team of elves! So now that the new snow has made everything even more beautiful, please be sure to follow up with more pics.

Eddie, it was great seeing your pretty Mom in the before and after posts. You're like twins!

Wonderful holiday wishes, dear Eddie and Jaithan, and to all your families and loved ones!

xoxo
Evy

[pve]

You and your fantastic team of elves have done an incredible job. I love the warmth and all that greenery! An idea to save for next year - I would love to see you use all white and green!
pve

[Jordana]

So so pretty.
How's the Christmas tree at this grand house? Did you work on that too? I'm so curious!
Merry Christmas!
Jordana

[kathysue]

Eddie and Jaithan, It is amazing as always, the color choices are so perfect in this lovely home. It looks so lush and elegant. Not over done but done just right. Great job done by you and your team. Eddie, your Mom is a doll and you look very much like her, two beautiful people. Jaithan, you know I think you are gorgeous( model boy) xo Kathysue

[LindsB]

I just love the mix of magnolia in there, the colors are amazing!!

Merry Christmas to you and Jaithan!!

[Jocko Fajardo]

Where's the tree?

[T Haner]

Beautiful! If it was my home I wouldn't ever want to leave it for any holiday evens. It's wonderful from the moment you walk in the door.

[Delores]

OMG! Truly magnificent! You outdid yourself.
Happy Holidays! --Delores

[Deborah Milne]

Eddie and team you've created the perfect setting for the owners to have a memorable holiday season. Quite fond of the rusty, natural color. Incredibly classy.

A joyous holiday to you all & thank you for a year of visual fun.

Cheers ~

[kath]

Where did you find the garland? It's absolutely gorgeous?

[Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality]

Oh, how gorgeous all of that natural greenery is, Eddie! Love, love it all. I always cut some fresh magnolia too, nothing like its color and texture and the back of those leaves are perfect for Christmas.

PS You sure favor your Mama! :)

[Anne]

The house looks absolutely beautiful! Can you give us some idea of the cost?

[Mona from Toronto]

One word sums it all up - STUNNING!!!

Thanks for sharing the lovely photos and the decor process.

Cheers guys!!

[EAS]

The magnolia is stunning…it adds such depth to the decor!

[An Aesthete's Lament]

Eddie, What is the name of the artist who painted the portrait above the mantel? It's on the tip of my tongue.

[Susan Crabtree]

GORGEOUS! Happy Holidays!

[Design Esquire]

Everything looks GORGEOUS! I love how it turned out. The colors are so pretty, and they really enhance the owner's home and furnishings.

[Melissa]

Well, it's just gorgeous, of course. SO decadent and wonderful-- Merry Christmas!

[c'estsuzanne]

Beautiful and classic!

[Karena]

Hi Eddie and team, fabulous job! I love the magnolia garlands, I have a wreath of them on my front door.

[linda@LimeintheCoconut]

Gorgeous!

The magnolia leaves are stunning and could have moved through fall all the way to Christmas with grace (although maybe they don't keep so well that long)!

But...tell me you didn't just put it all up now?... Right?

[Karyn]

Eddie-
As usual, you have done a beautiful job!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas from Australia...
Will send pics when we get back to California
~Karyn