With more than 400 photographs of homes beautifully decorated for Christmas, Evergreen: Decorating with Colours of the Season celebrates the spirit of the holiday season.
Be inspired as you browse through more than 200 pages of design ideas. See how a few simple touches to the home can make it an inviting place for all to gather. Evergreen: Decorating with Colours of the Season shows how living spaces are transformed with the simplest of decorations.
Evergreen: Decorating with Colours of the Season brings the meaning of Christmas alive in everyday surroundings. It is a perfect addition to your design library, and it makes a wonderful gift.
Nature Rules
A tree with masculine appeal has been decorated for this foyer. The smart antelope print on the stairs influenced the decor that was used. The natural honeysuckle wound throughout the tree suggests movement which softens the vertical lines of the baluster and steps. The pheasants, winged elm, and berries tucked into the tree further complement the pattern on the rug–all elements found in nature.
A beaded berry garland has just enough glitz to link the natural elements to the shiny silver.
A Relaxing Evening at Home
Cozy, comfortable and inviting, the holiday season appears to be relaxing and yet festive, apparent by all the different shades of red so beautifully blended. The red accessories-ilex berries, the rabbit’s soft satin ribbon, the table’s felt skirt, and of course, the red wine, all add to the cheerful, warm ambiance.
Sharing a Cuppa
Nothing is more civilized than drinking a warm beverage from a cup and saucer.
The holidays are a perfect time to use your beautiful china and silver. Invite friends over and serve hot chocolate, tea, coffee, or a hot toddy. It will make you slow down and feel the spirit and warmth of Christmas.
The red tray makes it cheerful, but a silver one would be equally beautiful. By using the red tray and a sprig of pine, the tray looks complete. Take it to the next level with a small nosegay of red roses placed in a small vessel.
Sweet Confections
The holidays seem to be the only season that gives us permission to indulge (or over indulge) in desserts.
The red silk skirted table alone was festive enough, but why not purchase a potted cedar or evergreen that screams "holidays"? It can later be planted, as an everlasting reminder of a past Christmas.
A colorful, yet subdued rug is thrown over the table to not only protect the silk cloth, but to add to the festive look, as well as adding more texture. Layering is good!
Joy to the World
A collection of architectural mementos from world travels are decorated for the holidays. Normally, the pieces are found just as they are here, but during the holiday season they are festooned with garland, cones, holly, and berries.
Non-holiday items become a focal point in this living room without having to purchase "Christmas accessories." It keeps the living room looking elegant and not cluttered as can sometimes happen when decorating for Christmas.
Thinking Outside the Box
Sometimes the most wonderful accessories can be found in the garden. This fabulous bird cage was brought in for the winter months, and now serves as an attractive architectural feature in the foyer. With its size, who needs a Christmas tree?
When space is tight, get creative and work with what you have.
Deck the Halls and the Stables
There is no reason Christmas decorating has to be limited to the house. With an outdoor event planned, it is only fitting to make other areas festive. Setting the mood for a gathering of friends before a long ride is evident by the extra effort the homeowner has gone to.
The garland and wreath have been left unadorned with decoration. Being an outside structure, the stable should not have glitz. Besides, eating ribbon or ornaments will not digest well for the horse!
Seeing Red
At first glance, we thought red would never work in here, but it is the Governor’s Mansion and the public wants to see RED. Our thought was to play up the red instead of trying to make it blend. It worked. Red is the new neutral…at least at Christmas, that is.
The eye goes to the red skirted table, and from there to the tree’s red lights and red and gold ornaments. To further keep the eye focused on the tree, and on the red, gift wrapping was coordinated. All red wrapped gifts would have been too much.
A Feast Awaits
An unadorned and fresh cut cedar in this handsome metal container speaks volumes for the room’s ambiance. Gifts displayed around it are an indication that it serves as the family’s Christmas tree.
The table is beautifully set with all elements well coordinated around the china. The game birds on the china and in the centerpiece are suggestive of the holidays–Thanksgiving and Christmas. The use of woven straw chargers, bamboo-style flatware, and dark beige napkins keep the table setting elegant, but far from appearing stiff.
Change the roses to a deep orange, and the candles to ivory, and the room will bespeak Thanksgiving–without the gifts, of course!
Jill Helmer
Jill Helmer, a floral designer by trade, has a background in art and a love for all things natural. Combined they are the perfect companions and driving force behind her floral business, Jill Siegel designs. A native of Texarkana, Arkansas, she calls Atlanta home after more than thirty years.
John Grady Burns
John Grady Burns learned to appreciate beauty and developed a love for horticulture while growing up in Natchez, Mississippi. He holds a degree in Retail Floral Management from Mississippi State University which has led him to pursue a career in floral design while also teaching students the art of arranging. He is the author of Personally Yours: Flowers for Weddings, Parties and Events. John presently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he is owner of a design and event company, Flora. He travels frequently and is available for events.
Kathy Stewart
Kathy Stewart brings her creativity and keen style to everything she touches. The Texarkana, Arkansas native and resident attributes her lifelong passion for antiques and beautiful appointments for the home, to her late mother-in-law, to her travels, and to her love of reading. Collaborating on holiday design jobs in Atlanta was the natural stepping stone to co-authoring this book.
Bartram Nason
Bartram Nason’s photography explores a range of subjects. His interior design and fashion work strives to capture elegant subjects, with a focus on light and composition. His documentary work explores struggles and triumphs in the arts, education, religion and youth culture. Bartram previously collaborated with John Grady Burns on Personally Yours: Flowers for Weddings, Parties and Events. He received a degree in cello performance from Indiana University. Bartram is presently the Director of Technology at Enablus. He lives in his hometown of Atlanta with his dog, Solo.
Nobody, NOBODY makes luxury out of the everyday like Evergreen. Everything about their work is sumptuous, gracious and perfect. Who could ask for anything more?
I turn to Evergreen to get ready and excited for my holiday preparations and decorations–I love both the tradition and the fresh perspective it brings to the most anticipated holiday of the year. The authors have captured all of the wonderful and magical nostalgia of the Christmas spirit.
This is a book to pore over and be transported to a place where the beauty and timelessness of Christmas in all its natural glory is revisited.