Table of contents for Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year in Victoria

“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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…