Southern Lady Holidays 2020

YULETIDE HINTS When it comes to holiday décor, interior designer James Farmer says, “A Christmas tree is the last resort for me.” Instead, he channels his affinity for floral arranging into various displays and intriguing vignettes that nod to the year’s most magical month. LASTING APPEAL James complements his beautifully adorned living room with stately amaryllis, swags of magnolia and Fraser fir on the staircase, and a mantel-top duo of ceramic vases overflowing with winterberry branches and more magnolia leaves. Brilliant vermilion-glazed pottery on the built-in shelves accentuates the room’s everyday aesthetic while imparting a jubilant flair. “I love red and green, even into the New Year,” says James. VERSATILE HUES An artful antique screen inspired the overall color palette of the main living space and adjoining dining room, which was a sunporch off the…

CUP OF CHEER As Christmas draws near, it doesn’t take much to ready your home for the merry moments ahead. Leave existing mantel decorations in place, and simply incorporate a garland of juniper and cedar interspersed with red carnations, white tea roses, holly, and hypericum berries. To add height, pull out a couple of favorite silver goblets, and use soaked floral foam to hold freshly cut ‘Blue Point’ juniper. Nestle red berries around the lip of the cup for a jolly finishing touch. CHRISTMAS IS SERVED For a festive coffee-table vignette, choose a serving tray with subtle beauty that won’t detract from its contents, and cover it with a variety of shiny ornaments in creamy neutral and metallic tones. (Opposite) Create a striking centerpiece using a tiered stand and an assortment of small…

BAUBLES TO BOWS Kaleen and Allen Riley love Christmas with all the decorations they can muster. Allen starts setting up themed trees in September at their Trussville home, from a heavily flocked tree with bowing limbs to what he calls a vintage “shiny silver one with a color wheel like everybody’s maw-maw had in the window.” About a dozen tabletop and mini versions are tucked into nooks and crannies, keeping company with gingerbread houses, a festive miniature village, garland, wreaths, and knickknacks galore. On display are holiday albums from the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s put out by Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, featuring crooners like Dean Martin and Doris Day as well as The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. OLD-FASHIONED STYLE Growing up, Allen often was called to assist in decorating the family tree because…

Adorn Christmas spreads with Haviland & Parlon’s adaptable Colette Gold dinner plate. Its brilliant Limoges porcelain with curvaceous edging befits the celebration. A sophisticated scene elevates the inspiration plate for elegant fêtes, echoing its crisp, white sheen. A service plate with a mottled-gold border lends a luminous backdrop for elaborate gilt-edged flatware. The china and glasses display subtle luster along their dainty rims; a salad plate pulls in shades of soft green with cheery wreaths and festoons. Final accents, like a clover-colored linen and a blend of ivory florals, brighten the merry presentation. (Opposite) Evoking the peacefulness of a snow-laden landscape, the pattern pairs perfectly with a salad plate depicting the season’s signature poinsettia. A rattan charger and tartan napkin create a feel of casual warmth for a cozy fireside meal,…

CUE THE CHORUS With the holiday season in full swing, nostalgic refrains that celebrate charismatic reindeer, twinkling tree lights, and dreamlike snowfalls permeate the air. Sing along to timeless melodies in the company of dearest companions as neighbors greet you at their front doors. Then, invite all to return to the comforts of home and hearth; the merriment is sure to continue. Petite carolers embody the spirit of the occasion from their perch on the mantel, where handmade stockings are hung with care beneath a garland of greenery and a string of tiny, tinkling bells. Sheet music doubles as decorative top notes when cut into strips and nestled inside clear glass ornaments. Incorporate the paper into your layered tabletop display and roll it into cone-shape containers for peppery popcorn dusted with…

GLAD EXPECTATIONS A regal celebration awaits as family and friends with hearts full of cheer gather to share a splendid Christmas Eve repast amid shimmering gold and luxurious ruby accents. Seasonal scents waft from clove-pierced citrus and naturally aromatic wreaths donning jovial scarlet bows. Festive Champagne flutes sit poised to toast this gleeful time of year at a majestic tabletop adorned with a centerpiece of flourishing roses, ranunculus, hydrangeas, anemones, and lush winter greenery. The air of Yuletide giving delights all as guests look toward unraveling tiny gold packages nestled atop radiant settings. Roasted Red Pepper and Fennel Bisque MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS 1 tablespoon vegetable oil3 cups chopped fennel bulb1½ cups chopped yellow onion2 cloves garlic, minced1¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided4 cups chicken broth3 cups water2 (16-ounce) jars sliced roasted red peppers,…