WG Holiday House Tour 2014 – Sneak Peek!

I love the holidays!  So, I was very excited when my friend (& talented designer) Amy Herman asked me to be a part of the Webster Groves Holiday House Tour this year!!  The tour is December 7th from noon – 4:00 p.m. and it benefits the Hixon Middle School.

I’m part of a team of talented designers decorating 3 out of the 6 houses on the tour and I’m fortunate to be focusing on one homeowner in particular with the assistance of another super talented newbie designer, Julie Tesson!  Our homeowner has been phenomenal to work with and I’m very pleased with how her space is coming together!

Here’s a sneak peek at how we evolved her living room in preparation for the tour!

This is the before shot of her space…

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Step 1: We rotated the chairs 90 degrees in order to line up the 2 taller chairs with the fireplace as the focal point.  Immediate improvement!

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Step 2: We added the companion piece of art above the TV and raised the left piece of art so that they are centered horizontally with 4 over the fireplace.  Now the whole wall reads together.

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Step 3:  We added new pillows to the grey chairs which ties in the colors of the art and livens up the chairs.  We also added loose branches to the vases on the mantel which completes the visual of the art as a whole.

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Step 4:  For the holiday decorations, we decided to keep the mantel simple and added pieces of pine roping in loose layers and partially hanging off the front to balance with the art.

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Final look: With the tree and the beautiful red roses, the whole room looks ready for Christmas!

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To see the rest of the house, attend the Webster Groves Holiday House Tour on 12/7 from noon – 4:00!

Learn more about the tour here!

holiday 2013 – colorful whimsy

As a kid, and even sometimes as an adult, I have an impossible time falling asleep on Christmas Eve.  It’s easy to pinpoint the root cause as a child – the anticipation of the unknown wonders to behold on Christmas morning.  All our presents magically appearing under the tree and finding “evidence” of Santa’s visit in half-eaten cookies was enough to satisfy my youthful curiosity.  It wasn’t even so much about the presents, but really the “magic” of it all.  So what keeps me awake now, as an adult?

I’d like to believe the holidays bring out a little child wonderment in all of us.  Even though I hate the commercialization of the holidays, I think there are a few things that capture the whimsy we experienced as children.  See below for a little inspiration and a few nostalgic favorites for this year!

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I have to start off with the ever-increasing antics of the “Elf” assigned to families all over the US.  In the name of Santa, parents have stretched their creativity to the limits to capture his nightly shenanigans!

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West Elm – Felt Wreath
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Pottery Barn Kids – Advent Calendar
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Crate & Barrel – Felt Garland
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West Elm – Owl Ornament
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West Elm – Bunny Ornament
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Crate & Barrel – Assorted Stockings
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Pottery Barn – Advent Calendar Pillow
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Crate & Barrel – Yuletown Platters
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Crate & Barrel – Snowflake Coasters

 

holiday 101: traditional

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  Can you hear Perry Como’s rendition in your ears?  I love the traditional holiday songs and I love a bit of “traditional” elements in my decor, as well.  It’s really easy to add a little burlap, jewel tones and a dash of classic elements in order to make your holiday reminiscent of days gone by.   Here are a few of my favorite things this year!

Pottery Barn Jeweled Mercury Votive Holders
PB Jewel Cut Martini Glasses
PB Embroidered Pillows
Crate & Barrel Ornaments
West Elm Felt Mistletoe
Pottery Barn Tree Topper
West Elm Felt Decor
Wisteria Dove Doormat
Ballard Designs Vintage Glass Bead Garland
West Elm Paper Flower Wreath
Ballard Designs Burlap Bird Ornaments

Stay tuned for the 3rd installment – Holiday 101: Sparkle!!!