Outside of a three-story Georgian home, a giant Santa is standing guard outside the front door. Gifted to the homeowners’ daughters by a family friend, this treasured piece of Christmas decor welcomes visitors into the home from Thanksgiving through the end of the holiday season. “Christmas is my favorite holiday,” says the homeowner. “I start decorating in early November because we usually travel during Thanksgiving, and I like to enjoy December without stress.”
For nearly 30 years, she’s collected meaningful Christmas decorations to sprinkle throughout their home. “The first Santas I collected date back to when my husband and I were engaged in medical school,” she says. “They’re made of sinamay, a woven fabric from abaca, a plant native to the Philippines.” The collection features nutcrackers and other unique pieces collected during their travels, sentimental ornaments from their wedding, and glass ornaments found during after-Christmas sales at Neiman Marcus, Saks, the Women’s Exchange and MacKenzie-Childs. “The selection has become more limited over the years, but I still add a few ornaments annually, always buying four so each daughter will eventually have one,” the homeowner continues.
In the kitchen, they collaborated with local designers to create a beautiful tablescaps for their dining table and kitchen island. The family’s dining table, previously owned by Lenor and Edwin Pepper, was arranged with the help of Lindsay with Sasha Nichols. It features gold trees, pinecones and a small Santa figurine decked out with red and gold fabric, adding contrast to the room’s navy blue walls. The tablescape on the island, arranged in collaboration with Story Seven, remains simple but playful with decorative wreaths hanging off the barstools and another Santa figurine holding a bag of presents and a classic naughty or nice list. “I knew I wanted to support a local shop, and there was never a doubt I’d ask Story Seven to be part of our Christmas decor,” she says. “Melanie delivers every time. I gave her full creative freedom and completely trusted her vision.”
Carrying into the sitting room, colorful stockings line the fireplace, and three gold Christmas trees are set into the hearth. On the coffee table, silver nutcrackers add a spirited touch. In the stairwell, another Santa, this one sporting wire-framed glasses and a large pocket watch, stands in front of a Christmas tree dotted with glass ornaments. Taking the home’s Georgian-style into account, the homeowners like to incorporate modern elements for a less formal feel.
The homeowner picked up a few new ornaments and a MacKenzie-Childs Christmas sheep during last year’s after-Christmas sales. She also added a new nutcracker from their trip to Italy this summer to her collection. This year is extra special, as she and her husband are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. “Since I love the Christmas season, we are traveling with our girls to Munich and Strasbourg to visit the famous Christmas markets,” she mentions. “I can’t wait to add new treasures to my collection, though I’m not sure I’ll be able to limit myself!”
