Southern Home Christmas Style 2016

’Tis the season to set the table. Let’s raise a glass and toast to fond memories, jovial festivities, hearts filled with love, and tables that shine just as brightly as the season. Whether you are hosting a formal feast or serving brunch in the kitchen, bring your holiday spirit to the table. Gather your dishes, glassware, and flatware, and be sure your linens are clean and pressed. Create a centerpiece from a household object, and fill it with greenery or flowers. Once your table is set, step back and admire. Making preparations ahead of time will allow you to enjoy the party right along with your guests.…

The evergreen wreath has been around since ancient times, symbolizing honor, power, and even royalty. It is thought to have been first used as a Christmas decoration in Europe and brought to America by the Pilgrims. Today it would be unlikely to walk a city block in December without spying evergreens and ribbons adorning holiday windows and doors.…

SShop owners Amber Thomas and Julie Brown formed Providence Design Group out of their homes in 2010 after they met through their children who were in middle school. Upon venturing into small retail spaces in downtown Franklin and Brentwood, they dreamed of one day establishing their own space. In April 2014 that dream became a reality when they opened the doors to Providence Interiors in the heart of Nashville. Offering a collection of upscale home furnishings, accessories, and lighting, this design duo likes to keep a selection of one-of-a-kind pieces to form a collected look. They artfully incorporate unique, modern lighting and upholstery and blend them with antiques and architectural pieces. “Our style is elegant and collected while warm and welcoming,” Julie says. “We like to anchor today’s styles with antiques…

Barbara Bockbrader’s pockets are always full. It doesn’t take long for this respectful scavenger’s stash to overflow during her treks in the woods. Barbara is the type of person who sees splendor in a seedpod or a pinecone, and she’s prone to share her insight. That’s how her shop, Campo de’ Fiori in Sheffield, Massachusetts, was forged almost 20 years ago; Barbara wanted to show the world the wonder in what nature leaves behind. Actually, Campo de’ Fiori started with a roadside stand where Barbara sold the pottery that her husband, Robin Norris, brought back to New England from Mexico. What began as pickup-truck loads of terra-cotta turned into tractor trailer deliveries from artisans south of the border. Meanwhile, Barbara had become a premier florist in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and…

Homeowner Mary Mellen is an artist, yet when it comes to the holidays, she favors tradition over creativity. Her lovely 1940s house has been home to several generations of Mellens. Her husband, Henry, moved into the house when he was just 10 months old and spent his childhood here. Twenty-five years ago, he and Mary moved back into the home with their two daughters. Mary and Henry now have seven grandchildren, so these days three generations gather in the gracious family home each year to celebrate a very traditional Christmas. The fun starts the weekend after Thanksgiving. Mary decorates the house for Christmas, using ornaments and decorations passed down from her mother and her motherin- law, as well as baubles that she has collected during her 46 years of marriage. She…

This family has lived in their 1932 home for 20 years, and for the first few years, the Christmas tree was placed in the living room. Now with the completion of a remodel and the addition of a den, the tree has found a new home. The family gathers the first weekend after Thanksgiving to decorate the 12-foot tree, filling the branches with colorful Christopher Radko ornaments. The homeowner’s collection began with a gift from her parents when she and her husband celebrated their first Christmas together. Every Christmas since, the couple has received another ornament. Given by friends and family for birthday gifts and for other special occasions, their collection continues to grow. The tree may take center stage, but it isn’t the only decoration. You’ll find the entire house dressed…