Recently, my friend Sissy let me pop over to her house (aka her winter wonderland) and take a few photos of her holiday decor. Sissy’s a super talented advertising art director and she owns a phenomenal house in one of Richmond’s most historic neighborhoods, so I knew her house would be brimming with holiday eye candy. I wasn’t disappointed.
If it isn’t abundantly clear from these photos, Sissy is someone who art directs her entire life. From the cohesive colors that tie the rooms together to the estate sale lamps she rewires, Sissy knows what she likes and her house exudes her well-currated sensibilities. So when it came to her Christmas decorations, she didn’t slap a wreath on the door and call it a day. Instead, she sourced a variety of ribbon, ornaments and several types of garland to execute her own vision of Christmas bliss.
Around her doorway, Sissy twisted together a combination of Boxwood, Pine and Frasier roping and secured it with beautiful wire ribbon. She added a variety of ornaments from stores like Target and Ben Franklin to add some pops of color.
Similar to McCall’s Christmas bulb centerpiece, Sissy used a collection of vintage ornaments with a beautiful natural patina to spice up her mantle and dining room table.
Sissy’s holiday hut is clearly a labor of love, but perhaps the most impressive example of her dedication comes in the form of the hand-tied Magnolia garland that hangs from the mirror in her dining room. First, she “borrowed” a load of Magnolia branches from a friend who has Magnolia trees. She then strung the leaves together, three at a time, one excruciating inch at a time, to make strand of garland that measures over six feet. I’m not sure the photos can do the effort justice. I’ll just put it this way: If Sissy were to sell this thing, she’s have to charge $1.2 million dollars to make it worth her time.
One of the aspects of Sissy’s decorations I love most is that the colors are unexpected for holiday decor. With ever the eye of an art director though, every single detail is tied together for a gorgeous cohesive effect.
Doesn’t all of it make you want to sit down with a cup of cocoa and read some Charles Dickens? I personally think Sissy should leave her decorations up all year long. They’re THAT beautiful.
Thanks to Sissy for sharing her home with me. Such an inspiration!
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