Sommaire pour Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year de Victoria

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

Dear Friends

“At Christmas, all roads lead home." —Marjorie Holmes What signals the start of the festive holiday season for you? Perhaps it is the first snowfall or a heavy frost that covers the ground with an icy, glittering glow. Or maybe it could be the evergreen-filled tree lots that spring up on street corners in early November. My celebration starts Thanksgiving weekend with a bountiful family dinner on Thursday and a Friday visit to the basement and the attic to retrieve boxes and boxes of ornaments, garlands, ribbons, and tinsel that will transform my house into a Christmas wonderland. Having little ones around releases a creative spirit in me, and I want every room to be enticing for my grandchildren, Hays and Amelia. Many of my choices for adorning spaces in…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

Hassayampa Inn Prescott, Arizona

Juxtaposed against a storybook setting of desert skies and majestic mountains, the historic Hassayampa Inn has presided over the postcard-pretty town of Prescott, Arizona, for more than eight decades. When the hotel opened on November 5, 1927, attendees danced the night away on the waxed hardwood floor of the dining room, where a sumptuous banquet was presented. The festivities, according to one report of the era, lasted “until a late hour.” There was much to celebrate. Prescott, a goldrush town, took great pride in this $300,000 project financed by hundreds of its finest citizens, who chipped in as little as $1 each. During the holidays, the Hassayampa welcomes guests with the spirit of Christmas Present. The lobby is decorated in a traditional style, and the inn forms a charming backdrop…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

COLLECTIVE CHARM

Special Treasures Inspired by her favorite Christmas collections and the storybook splendor of Colonial Williamsburg, interior designer Jennifer Kochard warms her family’s Charlottesville, Virginia, home with merry touches of green, gold, and red. An elegant red ribbon embossed with a classical fruit design sparked the entire theme, which spotlights Jennifer’s timehonored collection of Santas, decorative trees, and nutcrackers. “Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." —PEG BRACKEN…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

SYLVAN INSPIRATION

Nature’s Glory A decorative gate, garnished with a grapevine wreath, beckons guests in from the chilly winter air to gather round the dining table for a festive feast and warm conversation. Richly appointed in rustic stone and wood-paneled walls with wooden ceiling beams, this alluring enclave in Birmingham, Alabama, is dressed appropriately for the season. The elegance of earthy treasures such as pinecones, evergreen sprigs, moss, and juniper berries that have been artfully honed into decorative delights festoons windows, banisters, mantels, and other furnishings. “For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home." —W.J. RONALD TUCKER…

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Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

DAZZLING DISPLAYS

Fashion P lates The ultimate creative expression for any holiday hostess, a well-orchestrated tabletop so artfully showcases your true signature style. Whether you prefer a study in graceful formality or a jubilant layering of pattern, color, and texture, your blank canvas awaits this Christmas with infinite possibility.…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

SONGS OF THE SEASON

A Treasured Tradition Few celebrations herald this festive time quite like the sweet serenade of carolers and choirs spreading good cheer through the classic holiday music of yesteryear. Seeking a way to share the miracle of the Christmas story, Saint Francis of Assisi—the thirteenth-century patron saint of nature—was the first to revel in these lyrical expressions of Yuletide bliss. But it was the Victorians who truly made the art form popular. Many of today’s most beloved carols were written during this era. “Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand." —O HOLY NIGHT LYRICS…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

AUTUMN GLORY

Nature’s Palette As the verdant vegetation and brilliant blooms of summer mellow into the burnished golds and rich burgundies of fall, the landscape shimmers in mesmerizing exuberance. Like the fanciful flight of butterflies, jewel-tone leaves flutter on tree branches. The splendor of this vibrant time of year is also revealed in placid waters that reflect the multicolored tapestry of surrounding foliage. “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." —ALBERT CAMUS…

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Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

THE LUXURY OF SILVER AND GOLD

A Classic Combination The warmth of gold and the shimmer of silver impart a celebratory mood throughout this elegant Georgianstyle residence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Taking a cue from the traditions of Colonial Williamsburg, interior designer Colleen Bassett incorporated a festive medley of nature’s offerings—holly berries, magnolia leaves, spruce garlands, and boxwood—to enhance the surroundings with a beloved Yuletide palette of red and green. “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." —LAURA INGALLS WILDER…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

SHADES OF CELEBRATION

Holiday Hues Infused with the silvery-white charm of Jack Frost and the jewel-tone luster of fuchsia and lime green, each room in interior designer Moyanne Harding’s Lynchburg, Virginia, lifestyle shop was created to spark holiday inspiration with a wonderland of trees, ornaments, and other alluring embellishments. “The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." —BURTON HILLS…

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Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

COMFORT AND JOY

A Warm Welcome Whether in a sparkling tree laden with glass ornaments or the romantic illumination of a chandelier draped in glimmering strands of crystal prisms, Christmas glows from every corner of this haven of hospitality during the height of the season. Resplendent in gilded grandeur, the foyer’s mirror, opposite, exquisitely frames a lush bouquet of red and green.…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

INSPIRED GATHERINGS

A Holiday Meal Celebrate this season of plenty with a rustic homecooked dinner that will be savored long after the plates have been cleared. Consisting of succulent roasted meat, garden-grown vegetables, and a spectacular dessert finale, this delectable Yuletide feast is one your family and guests will crave for years to come. Hues of golden saffron enliven a palette of fresh greenery to create a welcoming ambience for this farm-to-table spread. Of course, it is undoubtedly your guests who truly bring the scene to life as they fill the room with joy and laughter. Recipes Herb-and-Spice-Rubbed Standing Rib Roast with Sage Gravy Maple- and Brown-Butter- Roasted Acorn Squash Brussels Sprouts and Red Pearl Onions English Onion Soup Sweet-Potato Icebox Pie English Onion Soup English Onion Soup 1/4 cup olive oil…

7 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

DECK THE HALLS

Gilded Grandeur Nothing adds warmth to a holiday home like the radiant elegance of golden hues. Whether it’s a glittering array of ornaments, above, or the shimmering brilliance of a lusterware tea set, opposite, this heavenly shade always shines brightly. “Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl." —BESS STREETER ALDRICH…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

Cranwell Resort Lenox, Massachusetts

Tucked amidst the New England charm of Lenox, Massachusetts, the Tudor-style mansion that is home to Cranwell Resort greets guests with a fanfare of red, green, and gold as the holiday season unfolds. Fragrant balsam wreaths embellished with holly berries convey a warm welcome at every doorway. Inside, garlands laced with ribbon adorn mantels, while on the grand staircase, each step is accented with a festive red poinsettia. Visitors can revel in the Yuletide ambience at the nearby Lenox Caroling Festival, a professionally judged competition sponsored by the hotel, December 7 through 9. Set in the historic village of Lenox, this annual celebration of song fills the air and main streets with heartwarming tunes that capture the spirit of the season. The winter months also find guests exploring Cranwell’s many…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

FRESH CRANBERRIES

Sweet and Tart Vibrantly festive, cranberries are the quintessential holiday accompaniment. Harvested during September and October, these tart and buoyant gems signal that Christmas is just around the corner. This year, enjoy the red berries to the fullest by incorporating them into a multitude of flavorful recipes. Cheers! Recipes Cran-Apple Ginger Cocktail Cranberry-Pear Jellies Green-and-Red Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies Mascarpone Mousse Tart with Cranberry-Orange Chutney Cran-Apple Ginger Cocktail Makes 1 drink Ice cubes 3 ounces cran-apple juice 1 1/2 ounces vodka 1 ounce Ginger Simple Syrup (recipe follows) 3 ounces club soda Garnish: sugared fresh cranberries In a cocktail shaker, place ice cubes, juice, vodka, and Ginger Simple Syrup; shake to combine. Strain into a glass. Add club soda, and garnish with sugared cranberries, if desired. Serve immediately.…

5 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

OLD-WORLD ELEGANCE

Nostalgia’s Embrace Brimming with family heirlooms lovingly passed from generation to generation, the inviting home of Gretchen and William T. Arnold in Charlottesville, Virginia, sparks fond memories of holiday gatherings long ago while celebrating the joys of Christmas present. Interior designer Moyanne Harding skillfully melded the couple’s seasonal décor with much-loved pieces that once belonged to the owners’ relatives. “Mankind is a great, an immense family … . This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas." —POPE JOHN XXIII…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

SERENE IN GREEN

Beautifully Simple Elegant yet understated touches of aromatic greenery accented with an exuberant dash of red are the hallmark of the holiday-decorating scheme of this well-turned-out home. Enveloped in a graceful swag of branches and a traditional wreath of hospitality, the entryway, above, bids guests a hearty welcome. “The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it." —AUTHOR UNKNOWN…

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Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

Mayflower Park Hotel Seattle, Washington

Bustling with horse-drawn carriages, oldfashioned carousel rides, and groups of jubilant carolers, the scene outside the Mayflower Park Hotel in downtown Seattle becomes a veritable winter wonderland in December. The view is equally festive indoors, where a stunning display of evergreen wreaths, garlands, and ribbons graces the lobby and Oliver’s Lounge, a casually elegant martini bar. This luxury hotel, built in 1927, pampers visitors with Old-World charm and 160 classically styled guest rooms and suites appointed with comforters, drapery, and artwork selected and tailored for each space. The Holiday Traditions Package, available November 1 through December 30, extends a warm welcome with a special gift and blissful accommodations dressed in traditional Queen Anne–style furnishings. A glittering array of attractions await just outside the hotel, which opens directly onto Westlake Center—…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

Strater Hotel Durango, Colorado

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." —Norman Vincent Peale The Strater, the grandame of Durango, Colorado, is a most hospitable hotel, especially during the holiday season. For 125 years, its staff has been making visitors feel right at home, no matter where they are from. It could be because the first guests were local townspeople who warmed their hands and hearts around its wood-burning stoves. It might also be because the Strater has been in the hands of the same family, the Barkers, since 1926. Or perhaps it is because its ninety-three rooms feature the original, quaint style of Western décor, updated with every modern amenity. From Christmas Eve to New Year’s Eve, tradition is in full swing here. The…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

A WINTER WONDERLAND

Scenes of Snowy Splendor The first snowfall of the season sprinkles urban streets with wintry cheer while hinting of celebrations to come. Dusted with freshly fallen flakes, an idyllic avenue of trees, opposite, beckons city dwellers to enjoy a delightful stroll. “It is the Christmas time: And up and down 'twixt heaven and earth, In glorious grief and solemn mirth, The shining angels climb." —Dinah Maria Mulock…

1 min

Victoria|Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

Where to Shop and Buy

CREDITS TEXT Kimber Mitchell: pages 8–15, 24–67, 68–69, 88–109 Nancy A. Ruhling: pages 22–23, 86–87 PHOTOGRAPHY Pierre Chanteau: page 14 Keith Scott Morton: pages 96–97, 100–101 Toshi Otsuki: pages 11, 13–14, 104–105 Kate Sears: pages 106–108 STYLING Jennifer Carroll: Pages 90–95 HARVEST OF PLENTY Pages 8–9: World Market Gold, Orange & Purple Lotus Handmade gift wrap, $8.97 for 3 rolls; 877-967- 5362, worldmarket. Bernardaud Constance Rouge dinner plate, $135, and salad plate, $110; from Bromberg’s, 205-871-3276. Rosanna Pressed Glass Goblet in Purple, $42 for 4; 877-343-3779, rosannainc. Towle Chippendale flatware, $240 for 4-piece place setting. Page 16: Vintage red nubby fabric, $18 per yard; from Attic Antiques, 205- 991-6887. Page 17: Antique cream napkin with red border, $25, and King’s Crown Ruby candy dish, $49; from Attic Antiques, 205-991-6887. Page…

3 min