Colleen Duffley and Steve Carpenter enjoy the art of hosting at their lodge in Mentone, Alabama .
68
The More the Merrier
Aldous Bertram whirls whimsy and tinsel in his one-room Charleston apartment, wrapping an “empty box” with classical flourish.
76
Amaryllis: From Bulb to Bloom
The weather outside might be frightful, but this beloved flower brings plenty of beauty and warmth inside.
84
Classic Christmas
Interior designer Mark Kennamer’s home reflects his quintessential design sensibilities, his joy in curation, and during the holidays, his absolute devotion to Christmas decorating.
ON THE COVER To celebrate the holidays with FLOWER readers, designer and artist Aldous Bertram (seen at left) created our cover painting that incorporates a few of his favorite motifs, including the peppermint camellias that bloom abundantly throughout his adopted hometown of Charleston.
“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. “One must also have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” —HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
PHOTO BY JULIA LYNN
15 From the Field
We’ve gathered the goods to make holidays—and every day—merry and bright.
30
John’s Almanac
In this final installment of our yearlong series, John Coykendall, master gardener at Blackberry Farm, shares his parting reflections.
34
Travel
Editor-in-Chief Margot Shaw sits down with designer Pamela Babey to learn more about her international career, including the inspiration behind Villa Feltrinelli on Italy’s Lake Garda.
42
Decorating
Pastel hues, natural materials, and vintage furnishings set the scene for holiday hospitality at designer Cece Bowman’s guest house in West Palm Beach.
52
Entertaining
With The Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co., husband-and-wife owners Martin Cooper and Karen Suen-Cooper elevate the art of entertaining.
15
EVERY
Watering Can 10 What’s Online? 60 Sources 98 Floral Moment 100
WATERING CAN A Note from the Editor
“Home whispers to us in the spiritual way that music slips past our mind, speaking directly to our souls.”
—JEFFREY DUNGAN, ARCHITECT
HOME FOR
THE
HOLIDAYS—it’s a wave of words that laps over my psyche every year about this time. You hear it in passing party patter and in culture in general as part of marketing ploys and friendly invitations. The phrase draws many moments to my mind.
Right now, I’m taken back to my boarding school days in the dining hall where we would sing the countdown until vacation— the Christmas holidays, specifically. “Hark the herald angels shout, 12 more days ‘til we get out!” … and so on down the days. On the 12th day, we were flung like the diaspora to our respective homes all over the country and the globe—beginning with the train to the city, then gathering one last time in LaGuardia’s Crown Room or Admirals Club (or wherever the latest recon revealed underage drinking most available). After a while, we would peel off, one by one, to our respective gates among blubbery goodbyes and promises to call.
I remember never really having a set home to go to. Sometimes I’d head to Birmingham to stay with my grandmother and brother; other times it was New York City, where my mother lived. Once I flew to Key West to spend the holidays with my Hemingwayesque father in his conch house on Frances Street. There he concocted the most delicious Rotel dip served with whatever fancy drink I desired, inevitably garnished with key lime from the tree in his courtyard. (At 16 years of age, this was heady stuff.) Then we ventured to his Cuban restaurant for a Christmas Eve feast of Lechon Asado (roast pork), Moros y Cristianos (black beans and rice), and Tostones (fried plantains).
Before I knew it, the New Year rang in and I was heading back to the Berkshires for school with a mix of sadness at the end of playtime and anticipation of reconnecting with friends, roomies, and my beau. Yes, the dorms were ugly and our uniforms were pretty drab, but the relationships were beautiful and it felt like home, just as much as our hometowns did at Christmas—maybe more.
What does home mean to you? Being surrounded by friends and family? Sharing an experience? Celebrating with special foods and flowers? Enjoying the trimmings everywhere and the
strains of familiar music and ritual? Or maybe it’s something otherworldly and not yet? Our answers likely run the gamut.
In this issue, we found “home” in a rustic-chic resort, Andiamo, in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama, where Thanksgiving is a specialty of the house, luring guests from all over the Southeast. We also feature Villa Feltrinelli, a house transformed into a hotel on Italy’s Lake Garda. When my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting it, I was immediately smitten and exclaimed I was home! You’ll see why when you hear from Pamela Babey, the visionary San Francisco-based designer responsible for the magic. And speaking of magic, Charleston designer and author Aldous Bertram gives new meaning to the term “trompe l’oeil” as he decorates his one-room jewel box apartment for Christmas. Using his talents as an illustrator and artist, he offers holiday guests a visual adventure full of surprises. And for an encore, he conceived and created the fanciful illustration for the cover of this issue.
There’s lots more inside these pages, but for now, I leave you with an invitation to consider and share with us YOUR vision of “home for the holidays” and what it means to you—and don’t skimp on the floral mentions!
Love and SDG,
Margot Shaw EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Please send your comments, triumphs, challenges & questions to: wateringcan@flowermag.com OR Letters to the Editor I FLOWER Magazine I P.O. Box 530645 I Birmingham, AL 35253 Get the FLOWER email newsletter! Sign up at flowermag.com/news
VOLUME 19, ISSUE 6
MARGOT SHAW FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Karen Carroll EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Julie Gillis MANAGING EDITOR
Ellen Shanks Padgett ART DIRECTOR
Amanda Smith Fowler STYLE DIRECTOR
Julie Doll EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
DIGITAL
Jason Burnett DIGITAL GENERAL MANAGER
Carrie Clay ASSOCIATE EDITOR
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
John Coykendall, Alice Welsh Doyle, James Farmer, Marion Laffey Fox, Elaine Griffin, Tara Guérard, Frances MacDougall, Tovah Martin, Cathy Still McGowin, Charlotte Moss, Matthew Robbins, Margaret Zainey Roux, Frances Schultz, Sybil Sylvester
For editorial inquiries: editorial@flowermag.com
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Julie Durkee NATIONAL DIRECTOR, LUXURY
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ADVISORY BOARD
Paula Crockard, Winn Crockard, Gavin Duke, Gay Estes, Katie Baker Lasker, Mary Evelyn McKee, Michael Mundy, Ben Page, Angèle Parlange, Renny Reynolds, Scott Shepherd, Mish Tworkowski, Remco van Vliet, Evie Vare, Louise Wrinkle
We’ve gathered the goods to make holidays—and every day— merry and bright.
AND STYLED
GIFT GIVING:
Unwrap the Joys of the Season
PRODUCED
BY AMANDA SMITH FOWLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID HILLEGAS
Entertain with Spirit
PREVIOUS PAGE: 18K Small Jean D’Arc Necklace ($24,000), 18K Large Tree of Life Pendant ($30,000), and 18K Small Lunar Glow Pendant ($8,000) by Temple St. Clair, templestclair.com • Background paint, Air Force Blue, and box paint, Leather, from Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: White Cocktail Napkin with Leaf Letter in Two Colors ($295 for set of 6) from Nancy Stanley Waud Fine Linens, 310.273.3690 • Cherry Cocktail Napkin ($8 each) from Nina Campbell, ninacampbell.com • Wave Cocktail Napkin ($115 for set of 6) from Matouk, matouk.com • Cocktail Snacker with Bow Embroidery ($295 for set of 6) from Nancy Stanley Waud Fine Linens, 310.273.3690 • Picot Edged Linen Cocktail Napkin with Custom Embroidery ($124 for set of 4) from Bobbins Design, bobbinsdesign.com • White Linen 6 x 9 Cocktail Napkin with Rome Appliqué Border in Autumn Green Linen ($65 per napkin, personalization additional) from Leontine Linens, leontinelinens.com • White Cocktail Napkin with Merry Merry ($295 for set of 6) from Nancy Stanley Waud Fine Linens, 310.273.3690 • Background paint, Citrine from Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us
Set Rooms Aglow
TOP: Madeleine Taper Candles in Sky Blue ($39 for 6) from Trudon, trudon.com • LEFT TO RIGHT: Thin Taper Candles in Turquoise ($41 for 8) from Creative Candles, creativecandles.com • Standard Beeswax Taper Candles in Ormolu ($28 for a pair) from La Petite Abeille’s Glint Collection, thelittlebee.net • Madeleine Taper Candles in Watery Green ($39 for 6) from Trudon, trudon.com • Ambre Taper Candles ($35 each) from Diptyque, diptyqueparis.com • Big Island Bamboo Taper Candles in Bamboo ($28 for a pair) from Greentree Home, greentreehomecandle.com • BOTTOM: Church Taper Candles in Sage ($26 for a pair) from Greentree Home, greentreehomecandle.com • Background paint, Leather from Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Gloria Cocktail Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold and Emeralds (price upon request) from Jade Ruzzo, departmentnashville.com • 19K Gold with Pink Tourmaline and Rhodolite Confetti Cuff (price upon request) from Elizabeth Locke Jewels, elizabethlockejewels.com • Mirella Necklace ($15,200) with Cara Pendant ($9,600), Laurel Pendant ($6,200), and Vicly Pendant ($12,000) from Single Stone, singlestone.com • Goshwara Three-Stone Amethyst 18K Rose Gold Ring ($3,800) and Prasiolite & Malachite Inlay 18K Gold Drop Earrings ($7,700) available at Croghan’s Jewel Box, croghansjewelbox.com • Ultimate Mini Bangle Bracelets in 18K Yellow, Rose, and White Gold ($9,500 each) from Paul Morelli, paulmorelli.com • Background paint, Green Verditer from Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us
THE DESIGNER FAVORITE FOR 50 YEARS.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Vicolino Vase ($550) from Currey & Company, curreyandcompany.com • Cotswold Apple Green Vase ($270) and Ripples Footed Vase ($120) from William Yeoward Crystal, williamyeowardcrystal.com • Blue Canton Bough Vase ($540) from the Historic Charleston Foundation by Mottahedeh, mottahedeh.com • Vickery Vase in Rosso ($296) from Wildwood, wildwoodhome.com • Apulian Amphora Vase in Yellow with Black Marble Glaze ($725) from Reed Smythe & Company, reedsmythe.com • Chinese Bouquet Round Vase ($175) from Herend, herendusa.com • Background paint, Citrine from Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us
Founded in Florence 1986
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Raw Honey Cacao Chocolate Bar ($9) from Vosges Haut-Chocolat, vosgeschocolate.com • Morgan Price Toffee ($17 for a half pound) from morganpricecandy.com • No. 44 Bellocq Christmas Tea ($50 for 4 oz.) from Bellocq, bellocqtea.com • No. 1 Extra Virgin Olive Oil ($40) from Branche, branche.co • Orange Blossom Honey ($20) from Brightland, brightland.co • House Hot Chocolate Mix ($20) from Dandelion Chocolate, dandelionchocolate.com • Cheese Biscuits (starting from $15) from Anne’s Charleston Cheese Biscuits, annescharlestoncheesebiscuits.com • Sweet Rounds in Halfsies ($26-$50) and Solids ($22-$42) from The Rounds NYC, theroundsnyc.com • Background paint, Leather from Little Greene Paint & Paper, littlegreene.us
John’s Almanac
In this final installment of our yearlong series, John Coykendall, master gardener at Blackberry Farm, shares his parting reflections.
BY
ABOVE: A crisp winter morning on the grounds of Blackberry Farm warmed by the soft twinkle of lights
PHOTO
BECKY FLUKE
As winter draws near, the gardening season slows down but is far from over. Beautiful, varying shades of greens are scattered throughout the garden. Damp soil, cooler days, and cold nights are the perfect conditions for lettuce, radishes of all types, turnips, collards, kale, mustard greens, cabbage, and other varieties to flourish. As a reminder of the produce from the summer months, canned goods line the shelves—jars of tomatoes, beans, peas, peaches, pears, and apples, just to name a few. Kentucky field pumpkins, along with cushaw, butternut, and blue Hubbard squash, are piled about the cellar floor. When Thanksgiving Day arrives, our family will enjoy the extended harvest of summer’s bounty.
Among my favorite seeds in my vast seed-saving collection is a bean which was said to have been included in the first
Thanksgiving celebration. This bean came from the Narragansett Indians in Rhode Island. Besides tasting good, it’s a living history that directly connects us to our past, as though we were guests at that first Thanksgiving feast.
As a child, I was fascinated by the tan Kentucky field pumpkins growing throughout the cornfields on my grandfather’s farm. I would spend a good bit of time trying to decide which pumpkin would be the best one for Grandmother to transform into the heavenly pumpkin pie I always looked forward to at our Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, with the slower pace of the winter garden, I find time to daydream, write my goals and thoughts down in a notebook, and plan and plot for the seasons to come. My gardens—both present and future—are ever evolving. I hope the same for yours.
LEFT TO RIGHT: A jolly John Coykendall • Even the shed is covered in a festive holiday spirit. • Always a favorite spot to gather, the Boathouse is adorned with Christmas greenery.
PHOTOS BY SARAH RAU, GARDEN SHED BY INGALLS PHOTOGRAPHY
Ciao, Babey
Editor-in-Chief Margot Shaw sits down with designer Pamela Babey to learn more about her international career, including the inspiration behind Villa Feltrinelli on Italy’s Lake Garda.
WITH KATHARINE GRACE WHATLEY
PHOTOS
PREVIOUS PAGE: Villa Feltrinelli, built in the neo-Gothic style in the 1890s, seen from Lake Garda THIS PAGE, ABOVE: The terrace, with views of the lake and park, is a favorite spot for morning coffee or early evening aperitifs. Golden awnings with tailored trim and a crenelated panel echo the exterior detail of the Villa. The rattan chairs are Bonacina, and the shades are custom designed by BAMO. BELOW: Pamela Babey, the visionary interior designer behind the elegant comfort and chic of Villa Feltrinelli
While spending a leisurely afternoon exploring and enjoying the surprises of Villa Feltrinelli on Italy’s Lake Garda, I came upon a coffee table book on interior designers. As I leafed through it, I spotted Pamela Babey, the very designer responsible for the visual and visceral magic my husband and I were experiencing. But the real serendipity occurred upon our leaving for Venice. As we lingered in the lobby, gushing to the hotel team about our stay, who should appear in the lobby but the red-headed, chic, pixieish person I had just been reading about. Not being shy, I immediately introduced myself, continued gushing about our visit, and proceeded to request an interview. She graciously agreed.
physician, and my mother, originally from North Dakota farm country, was a practical yet artistic medical technician. She always told me, “You can make it yourself.” They gave me the freedom to roam, whether that was with my buddies or with my horse, Rainbow. I shared my parents’ interest in Mexican folk art and the archaeology of the American Indian, so we spent a good deal of time together on “digs,” arrowhead hunts, and picnic hikes. New Mexico offers so much variety; it’s uninhibited yet sophisticated. The state has never left my mind; I’ve never been able to give up the need to “feel space” around me.
Margot Shaw: Pamela, what a treat for me and our readers to get to know you and your story—a love story, I might call it, that involves the beauty you have created at Villa Feltrinelli for us to experience. Let’s discuss your early days. Where did you grow up, and how did that environment shape your aesthetic?
Pamela Babey: I was born in Brooklyn but reared in Las Cruces, Southern New Mexico. My father was a literary-minded
What a rich, storybook background! Can you give us a sense of how you came to focus on interiors and architecture?
In fifth grade, my civics teacher told me I couldn’t be a civil engineer because I was a girl. In a huff, I went home and told my mother, who could always fix anything. She said, “Well, you could always be an architect or interior designer. It would be more enjoyable.” Travel has also been important to me; it opened my senses. I remember the colors and lines of Mesa Verde, the buzz of Broadway, and the sets of
The King and I. All of it fed my vision and my search for things to feel, see, and think about.
I’m so glad your mother suggested architecture and design as options. Will you share a little about your career path?
After graduating from the University of California, I had dreams of working in Italy, but instead, I went to New York City. I knew I needed the experience. There I joined Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill [SOM], an interdisciplinary design collective, where they gifted me the nickname “the hippy from California.” While it was stimulating, there wasn’t enough touchy-feely for me. Besides, Manhattan felt too flat. I soon returned to California and joined the SOM team there, this time working with Charlie Pfister in the interior design department. Ten years later, I cofounded the firm BAMO. Throughout, I had the opportunity to work on jobs across the country and the world—a lucky accident that really fit my personality.
Can you share the inspiration behind BAMO and its model? Is there a personal mission philosophy that guides your work?
BAMO began after Charlie’s passing. Four equal partners with shared values held it together in the early years, doing everything ourselves until we could bring in support. From the beginning, we were a design office, listening deeply to our clients and shaping each project around their vision. While we didn’t follow a signature style, we had a list of guidelines: quality, authenticity, transcendent, collaborative, and the most bang for the buck.
LEFT: Villa guests can dine on the lakeside terrace under the pergola. The rich red tones and soft lighting make for a warm, early evening experience. ABOVE: Detail of a Murano chandelier, Andromeda by Gianluca Vecchi, featuring delicate bronze-colored florals
Those are great guidelines. Now, let’s talk about your grand passion for all things Venetian. When and where did it overtake you?
I formed big dreams from spending time in Venice. The extraordinary thing is the melding of West and East throughout Venetian history. I have so many dear friends there, and I keep pieces of the city in my home, such as my Venetian beverage glasses and the Fortuny fabric that adorns my bedroom. On a relaxing Sunday, I awake slowly to watch the light travel across the gold in that fabric—and I imagine Venice.
What a beautiful picture you’ve painted! Speaking of Fortuny, Villa Feltrinelli, a gorgeous BAMO-designed resort property on Lake Garda, has its fair share of Fortuny fabrics—and the hotel seems to be a supernova in the firmament of your work, at least emotionally. Tell me the story of how it happened and a bit about decorating it. I’ve never said no to a project in Italy, whether it’s a home, a hotel, or something else. Feltrinelli came through a friend and former client, the late Bob Burns, who sent a postcard with a black-andwhite photo of the villa saying he’d bought it and couldn’t wait for me to see it. I was all in! I arrived on a cold, wet February evening and thought, “What am I going to do with this dark place?” But when the sun came out the next morning, the promise was clear. This wasn’t just a villa; it was a home. We used every centimeter for the 12 guest rooms and baths, tucking comfort and function into every corner. I didn’t want a museum but rather a place
A mix of fine antiques, sumptuous upholstered seating, and a classic Italianate ceiling mural framed in plaster-and-gilt carving render a palatial and inviting feel to this lake-view guest room. The ceiling mural, carving, headboard, and desk are all original to the Villa, while the upholstered chairs and armoire are custom designed by BAMO.
of history, elegance, and comfort. Bonacina and Mongiardino brought in the rattan chairs, Fortuny fabrics dress the dining chairs, and Paul Marantz lit the place with custom “lettuce bowl” fixtures. Sometimes I wondered if we’d done too much, but every time I stepped back, it felt just right.
I have to agree. But there must have been some challenges. Imagine the rainy days. I was frantic about the days the outdoor terrace would need to be closed. There was not enough room in the dining hall if the house was full! The first time that happened, we did a quick rethinking of the floor plan. What originally seemed daunting became a sort of magical evening. Small tables for four in the library; several in the salon. Although it made things a little hectic for the staff, it was romantic for the guests.
It makes the place so much more like a home rather than a hotel as it offers different moods and moments to pick from
when dining. And each one has picturesque views of the lake or the classic, clipped Italian gardens. How often do you get to visit and enjoy the beauty of Feltrinelli yourself? I return every year, even twice if it’s a good one. I love hearing the fledglings tell new guests the stories behind each room or how the project began. As we designed, we created those stories. Al Lago was the aunt’s favorite room; her nephew’s portrait hangs above the sofa. Bob’s Bar is a tribute to Bob Burns with a cabinet for his mementos and cocktail recipes découpaged at the entrance. I’m always thrilled when a guest celebrates their 100th stay. I’m grateful for the high number of return guests and those who stay for weeks.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Feltrinelli certainly has a personal feel. It truly articulates one of BAMO’s core tenets that “luxury is a spirit of grace and generosity that says, quite simply, ‘I am glad you are here.’ ”
More Than Welcome
Pastel hues, natural materials, and vintage furnishings set the scene for holiday hospitality at designer Cece Bowman’s guest house in West Palm Beach.
TEXT AND STYLING BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARMEL BRANTLEY
It took six years and a handful of heartfelt letters for interior designer Cece Bowman and husband Nick to finally convince their next-door neighbor to sell them his 1950s rancher on a coveted corner lot in the SoSo (South of Southern) neighborhood of West Palm Beach. “What we really loved was the backyard,” says Cece. “Nick and I both had childhood homes with big, beautiful lawns where we would play and watch our mothers meticulously tend to their gardens. Our own house didn’t offer that kind of outdoor space, so expanding to incorporate the next-door lot made sense. We have three young daughters who practically live outside with our terrier, Pickle.” Rather than tearing down the house that came with the property, the couple rehabbed the 1,700-square-foot structure to conveniently and comfortably accommodate extended family members who often visit for weeks at a time. And while the name they gave it, The Guest House, may not seem unique, the bungalow is certainly one of a kind. Inside, cozy rooms sparkle
“Even at Christmastime, I stick with a tropical palette—more pinks than reds and much softer shades of green. ”
—CECE BOWMAN
with sunlight streaming through big picture windows, while pastel ceramic tiles; mid-century, slab-front cabinetry; and a hodgepodge of parquet and terrazzo flooring create a sense of nostalgia.
“We were determined to keep it somewhat of a time capsule and retain as many of the old-school elements as we could,” Cece says. “But there was one thing that had to go—the musty, wall-to-wall carpet. When we ripped it out, we exposed the most amazing creamy-white-andavocado-green terrazzo flooring. Other people might have been horrified to find it, but Nick and I were overjoyed! It sets the retro tone for everything.”
Cece, who launched her career at Kemble Interiors prior to establishing her eponymous firm, didn’t have to venture far to source furniture and décor that matched the vintage vibe. The Guest House is located just a few blocks off South Dixie Highway, known for its eclectic mix of high-end shops and quirky emporiums. There, on “Antique Row,” she scored easy, breezy chairs and tables made from materials like bamboo, cane, and rattan that speak to the local vernacular.
For a fresh perspective, Cece balanced the old with the new, including contemporary upholstery in high-performance fabrics, whimsical wallcoverings, and custom millwork like the wavy, white cutout trim on the sunroom ceiling and the scalloped blue border that binds the primary bedroom. Although she steered clear of anything shiny, Cece did make an exception in the dining room with the glossy 80-inch mirror she designed in collaboration with Fleur Home. Introduced earlier in the year, the “Coco Palm” mirror was inspired by and named for Cece’s late mother,
PREVIOUS PAGE: Cece and Nick Bowman with daughters Daisy, Clementine, and Beezie THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Wispy strands of evergreen garland bring a touch of holiday whimsy to The Guest House that is otherwise enveloped by tropical plants and flowers year-round. For a South Florida feel, Cece pinned fresh citrus and artichoke to the traditional evergreen wreath. OPPOSITE: Seafoam green and petal pink dazzle in the dining room. The reflection from the “Coco Palm” mirror, designed by Cece in collaboration with Fleur Home, creates the illusion of a larger room.
Cece carries through the dining room’s pink-and-green palette with florals, food, and table décor. Hand-painted ceramic plates are layered atop Juliska bamboo rim chargers. Cece partnered with Well Made Home to design the embroidered floral cartouche that surrounds her monogram on the oversized linen napkins.
“There was zero architecture in the sunroom so I decided to create some,” says Cece, who commissioned master carpenter David Fuller to mill scalloped-edge molding from her hand-drawn design. She applied it to the ceiling instead of the wall to call attention to the grasscloth-swathed surface. The designer credits the scalloped-edge casement on an original bookcase (below) as the inspiration for the custom trim.
decorator Connie Leahy, who was affectionately called “Coco” by her grandchildren. Cece credits her as a major influence on her chic, coastal aesthetic.
Unlike snowbirds who flock to Palm Beach for the winter, the Bowmans have full-time status as Floridians. This is reflected in their everyday style, especially when entertaining at The Guest House during the holidays. For the table, Cece leans casual and colorful with woven baskets, bold block prints, chunky ceramics, intricate cut crystal, and delicate bone china, all placed on starched white linens. “Even at Christmastime, I stick with a tropical palette—more pinks than reds and much softer shades of green,” she says. “I’m a traditionalist at heart, so I still love to use festive evergreens and fragrant balsam for my wreaths and garlands, but I add in locally grown citrus or other produce. My floral arrangements often include areca palms, clusia, and ylang-ylang leaves freshly clipped from our yard. It’s a fun, lowkey way to decorate, and, best of all, the girls get to participate in the process because everything we use is family friendly.” As Cece explains, “Nothing in The Guest House is too precious or irreplaceable, other than the memories that we make here.”
“Two-toned
THE HAPPY HOSTESS
Little luxuries go a long way. Here are Cece’s essentials for making The Guest House feel like home.
PERFECT PROVISIONS: Freshly ground coffee with all the accoutrements and various teas, juices, sodas, and seltzers are always on hand, along with fresh breads and pastries from our neighborhood bakery, Aioli.
LUXURIOUS LINENS: Highquality mattresses, pillows, and bedding are crucial to a good night’s sleep and a restful stay. My favorite linens are from Matouk’s Easy Care collection. I always go with classic white with the details on the sheeting that look crisp but never boring.
AN INFORMATION STATION:
On a bookcase in the entry, I stash local magazines (current issues only!) and books on native birds, flowers, and foliage that guests might find in our yard. I also keep a pretty Smythson leather journal filled with helpful household information like the Wi-Fi and Netflix passwords, the alarm code, and the names, numbers, and driving directions to some of my favorite restaurants, shops, and activities.
TONY TOILETRIES: I love Pigeon and Poodle and always have the bathrooms stocked with their travel-size soaps, shampoos, and lotions. The subtle scent works for guests of all ages, and it’s soothing on even the most sensitive skin types. I try to think of all the little random things that I sometimes forget to pack and put them in a basket—items like eye-makeup remover, hair bands, aspirin, and dental floss.
CLIMATE CONTROL: Palm Beach winters are generally warm with occasional, unpredictable cold fronts. I store a tabletop fan and a small space heater in every closet so guests can customize the temperature to their liking.
cabinetry is very British and reminiscent of the kitchens that Nick grew up in back in England,” says Cece.
Minding Their Ps and Qs
With The Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co., husband-and-wife owners Martin Cooper and Karen Suen-Cooper elevate the art of entertaining.
BY KAREN CARROLL
FLOWER: What was your first entrée into entertaining and gracious living?
Martin Cooper: Entertaining and gracious living isn’t just something you do—it’s who you are. For me, it was passed down through generations, from grandmothers to mother to son. Karen describes it as a baton of graciousness. Southerners consider hospitality a contact sport.
Karen Suen-Cooper: In the Chinese culture, graciousness is always surrounded by food, and how you care for your guests is ingrained in you. But I love how Martin’s Southernness has really codified all this for me.
What path led to establishing Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co.? Did it truly originate with the singular idea of reviving and elevating the place card?
Karen: Our house in Old Chatham, New York, is happiest when people enjoy themselves within its walls. One night, after all the guests had gone home, Martin looked at the aftermath of the table reflected in our dining room mirror and turned to me and asked, “Why must the backs of place cards be white and blank?” We’ve always collected beautiful images,
and thus a relatively simple idea was born. Changing place card themes in essence refreshes your china pattern. They’re also great conversation starters. Using them speaks of intentionality, welcome, belonging, good times, and gratitude. Martin: Karen and I both spent many years in the fashion industry. We’d reached a point in our lives where we needed our business, home, and family to be intertwined. When I told my former CEO at Burberry about the idea, she said,
PREVIOUS PAGE: The Punctilious Mr. P’s Place Card Co, originated with a simple question: Why must the backs of place cards be white and blank? The “Fiery Pheasants” image is an ideal addition to a Thanksgiving table. THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Karen Suen-Cooper and Martin Cooper, owners of Punctilious Mr. P’s, at home in Old Chatham, New York • Sets of place cards can be ordered with digital calligraphy or blank for personalization to be written by the host.
“That’s great, but there has to be more than a place card, right?” And yes, from day one we intended the place card to be our pathway into clients’ homes but knew we’d spread across the table with other items, which we’ve done.
The company name is a bit of a mouthful but fun to say—and who is Mr. P by the way?
Karen: I came across the word “punctilious” in grade school and thought, “What a great word but nobody ever uses it.” When we got the idea for this venture, I told Martin we’ve got to bring it back. Mr. P is a fictitious character, like Jeeves in P.G. Wodehouse’s novels. Who doesn’t want a valet who always has the perfect taste or solution?
Guide us on this rule of thumb: What’s the minimum number of guests before we should orchestrate who sits where?
Karen: It starts with two! During the pandemic, we printed packs of personalized place cards for a client who wanted to make dining with his partner a special occasion
“I love that flowers are a metaphorical party—the soil is prepared, they blossom, and then they fade away like guests who leave, only to return another season.” —KAREN SUEN-COOPER
Although the idea for Punctilious Mr. P’s started with the place card, the company offers a well-edited selection of other accoutrements for the table, from menu cards (top left) to hand-crafted ceramic flowers, such as this peach-blush peony (above).
THE SCOOP FROM KAREN AND MARTIN
Favorite reason to entertain: Any reason. It begins with an itch.
Our hosting superpower: The house is always ready to party. We’ve organized it so that whatever we need is either within the room or no more than one room away.
How we flower: Adding a dahlia, herbs, or whatever is blooming in the garden to a food platter or drinks tray makes everything look more beautiful. Taste begins with the eyes.
A favorite shortcut: Trader Joe’s for bite-sized hors d’oeuvres or desserts. They’re beautiful when placed on a tiered silver stand.
On the menu: It depends on the season, but we love a great curry pot when it’s cold outside.
How we’ll be entertaining this holiday season: Excessively!
ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: “When we’re the guests, we often take along a jar of our jam or jelly for the host. The label on top says ‘Friendship in a jar,’ which always elicits a smile,” Karen says. • Holiday-themed gift tags with reproductions of Marian McEvoy’s pressed-flower compositions elevate any package.
during that crazy time. Even if it’s a luncheon for four, it’s a good setting for place cards so that no confusion arises. Ambiguity gives rise to awkwardness. Place cards remove that.
Botanicals thread throughout your offerings, from images on your invitation suites to the gorgeous assortment of ceramic flowers. Please share how flowers inspire you.
Karen: A lot about formal entertaining requires an exacting order and etiquette. The flowers in our garden are the antithesis of that— they bloom in profusion, taking on a “more is more” attitude which we incorporate into our aesthetic. I love that flowers are a metaphorical party—the soil is prepared, they blossom, and then they fade away like guests who leave, only to return another season.
Beyond a stylish table, what’s the secret to a successful party?
Martin: I’m passionate about music—it just gets everyone in the mood. On our website, I share the playlists we use at home, from a dinner party mix to the wind-down playlist that makes friends who linger melt into the living room sofa for deeper conversation. Karen: The alchemy of the dinner guests and who you bring into the inner circle—it’s like arranging a bouquet.
WHAT’S ONLINE
Christmas Trees
Laura Dowling returns for another elegant celebration at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens filled with her signature maximalist Christmas trees. We asked the designer to give us the lowdown on creating the perfect tree and finding your own holiday style, as well as favorites from her time at Cheekwood. Go to flowermag.com/ christmas-trees to see more of Laura’s holiday décor plus two dozen of our readers’ favorite trees to inspire your own.
AMARYLLIS
After enjoying Tovah Martin’s guide to amaryllis on page 76, be inspired by a score of fantastic arrangements ranging from Jay Lugibihl’s adventurous chandelier composition to a simple topiary with step-bystep instructions. Find them at flowermag. com/amaryllisarrangements.
EYE-CATCHING MANTELS
A stylish holiday mantel needs more than stockings to look its best. Festooned with greenery, crowned with fruit and flowers, or topped with beloved collectibles, the fireplace mantel is certainly a source of yuletide delight for many. We’ve gathered FLOWER magazine’s most popular mantels dressed for a season of celebrating. Get inspired at flowermag.com/holiday-mantels.
Thanksgiving at Andiamo
Colleen Duffley and Steve Carpenter enjoy the art of hosting at their lodge in Mentone, Alabama.
BY
KAREN CARROLL I PHOTOGRAPHY BY COLLEEN DUFFLEY I STYLING BY AMANDA SMITH FOWLER
On this chilly November morning, Colleen Duffley bustles about her happy place—the kitchen at Andiamo Lodge in Mentone, Alabama. She moves like a force of nature, dashing from pantry to island to oven and freezer as she prepares an apple-and-pear crisp topped with cinnamon ice cream.
“I’m obsessed with making ice cream and experimenting with flavors,” she says as she tastes her latest concoction and pronounces it “sinfully good.” Colleen’s husband, Steve Carpenter, works alongside with a steady calm indicative of his experience commanding the stove at restaurants on Florida’s Gulf Coast, including his current outpost known as Crabby Steve’s in Seacrest Beach. Today, guests will sit down to Thanksgiving supper with a bit of a twist—fresh seafood Steve has brought with him from the Gulf paired with some traditional flavors of the season, including sweet potato gnocchi with sage brown butter. Colleen gives the table a final once-over, tweaking arrangements of dahlias and foraged greenery, and makes sure every place card is in order just as guests return from a pre-dinner hike devised to take in the local scenery—and burn a few extra calories—before the feast begins.
Owning and running a lodge wasn’t initially part of the plan when Colleen and Steve made an impromptu visit to this village on the rim of Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. “We were on a road trip from the beach to Tennessee in search of a weekend house to purchase, and we stopped for a break in Mentone,” says Colleen. “We took a walk down the main street and saw a cottage posted for sale in a real estate office. While we did go on to finish the rest of the trip, we never bothered to
look at another property.” Once settled in Mentone, Colleen, a professional photographer who has captured advertising campaigns and magazine features for clients all around the world, began posting pictures on Instagram of the area’s scenic views. “Everyone wanted to know where we were and to come stay,” she says. “We wanted to host people but really didn’t have enough room in our own home.”
While exploring their new community by bike, the couple happened upon a dilapidated former church camp with a “For Sale” sign. “I turned to Steve and said, ‘Let’s do this!’ ” says Colleen. “I knew it was a property where we could host experiences and create more than a place for people to lay their heads.” And thus Andiamo—Italian for “Let’s Go”—was born.
Realizing the potential within the rundown buildings required plenty of creative vision, something both Colleen and Steve have in abundance. After a painstaking renovation, the couple opened for business with a main lodge that includes living and dining areas, six cozy guest rooms, and a pair of private cottages on the 5-acre property. All emit a rustic-luxe vibe cultivated with organic materials, antiques, original art, and conversation-starting objects peppered throughout, including Colleen’s personal collection of antique cameras. Gathering around a communal table has been a core part of Andiamo’s ethos from the beginning, whether the meal is prepared by Colleen, Steve, or one of the many visiting chefs they bring in for pop-up dinners and special events. And since opening, the couple has often shared holidays with lodge guests, which seems only natural. “People arrive here as strangers and leave as friends,” Colleen says. “And we’re always incredibly thankful when they return.”
PREVIOUS PAGES, LEFT TO RIGHT: Andiamo’s dinner table is set with Bordallo Pinheiro cabbageware, hammered metal chargers by Jan Barboglio, and dahlias arranged in rustic pottery. • Dessert awaits in the living room. THESE PAGES, OPPOSITE, LEFT TO RIGHT: Fall color complements the rustic exterior, with guest room doors painted a fiery orange. • Owners Colleen Duffley and Steve Carpenter ABOVE: The menu card previews the delicious experience to come. Cocktail napkin by Maison Venu
SCENES FROM ANDIAMO LODGE
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cocktail makings in an antique cabinet Colleen found in her travels • Trees along the road leading to Andiamo ablaze in fall color • A leek-and-shallot tart served from an old bread board • Roasted oysters with a mignonette sauce to kick off the Thanksgiving feast OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Cozy guest rooms individually decorated with vintage accessories, art, and fine linens • Fireplace in a guest cottage dressed with foraged branches • Petey, the beloved mascot of Andiamo, eager to greet new arrivals • Homemade cinnamon ice cream to accompany an apple-and-pear crisp • Dahlias from Stone Hollow Farmstead arranged throughout the lodge • An extensive pottery collection decorating shelves and tabletops • Apples from a nearby orchard
the more the MERRIER
ALDOUS BERTRAM whirls whimsy and tinsel in his one-room Charleston apartment, wrapping an “empty box” with classical flourish.
BY STEPHANIE HUNT I PHOTOGRAPHY BY JULIA LYNN
IT ALL STARTED WHEN ALDOUS
Bertram camped out on the front stoop of an old Charleston house for six hours, hoping the owner might show up. The affable, Britishborn designer and artist was living in Palm Beach at the time but scheming a move to Charleston, where he says the “walkability, British influence, and classical motifs” seemed better suited to his old-world affinities. “A friend sent me a Craigslist listing for a one-room apartment inside the house,” says Aldous. “I barely knew what Craigslist was!” But he did know he wanted to see the apartment.
With no replies from his repeated inquiries about the space, Aldous went old school DIY—in the same way he often does with his decorating—to meet the landlord in person. He waited on the front doorstep until the owner finally arrived and then sweettalked his way in to see the apartment—and he signed a lease on the spot. “The bones were incredible,” Aldous says of the former ballroom in the 18th-century Charleston manse. It reminded him of the 1702 home he’d grown up in outside of Cambridge that he describes as “a Queen Anne beauty with similarly grand proportions.”
Luck, pluck, and the designer’s cheeky talent are evident throughout the 13-by-70foot space, a once “big empty box” that has become his chockablock abode. “Whatever I’d collected in Florida came with me, creating a base layer of colorful fabrics and decorative objects,” says Aldous, formerly a product designer for Amanda Lindroth. He gave the walls a wash of watered-down Farrow & Ball’s Pale Powder with panels outlined in his favorite green, Arsenic. “It feels vibrant and acidic, both 18th century and really modern,” he says. On either side of the main window, the designer painted faux architectural niches which he describes as “the best trick I’ve come up with”—though it’s far from his only trick.
A large table covered in sewn-together tablecloths from Lisa Corti hides ample storage underneath and divides the room,
PREVIOUS PAGES, LEFT TO RIGHT: To amp up the antiquity ambiance, Aldous hung a medallion from Casa Gusto over his mantel and framed the fireplace with old architectural sketches. • Aldous stands in front of a plywood table he covered in blue-and-green marbled paper. THESE PAGES: Aldous pieced together Lisa Corti tablecloths for his dining table. "The table rarely is used for its intended use," he says. “I don’t even have dining chairs.”
“Just when you think your table
is too crowded, you find something large and marvelous. ”
—ALDOUS BERTRAM
LEFT: Aldous painted a trompe l’oeil niche in two of the wall panels, calling it “my best trick.” He layered in favorite pieces, including a Victorian bird cage. The secretary was a Palm Beach find. ABOVE: Simple ribbons add festive flair around a red painted lantern. The room’s symmetry and impressive scale appealed to Aldous, who grew up in a similar Queen Anne-style home in England.
PHOTO
As we bundle up to face the cold days of winter, we often find ourselves longing for signs of spring
especially the first flowers to emerge. While it’s impossible to speed up Mother Nature’s course, there is one bloom you can enjoy indoors as you anticipate warmer weather. Quintessentially exotic yet within anyone’s reach, amaryllis start to blossom just when you crave flowers most. In a blink (okay, more like eight weeks), the plants will go from boring bulbs to big, beautiful blooms. What could be a better antidote to the winter blues?
Technically known as hippeastrum, the amaryllis is native to South America. Its name (which means “to sparkle” in Greek) was derived from a similar plant from South Africa
PREVIOUS PAGES, LEFT TO RIGHT: Before planting, amaryllis bulbs resemble ornaments crafted by nature. • 'White Amadeus,' a double varietal developed by Dutch breeder N.L. van Geest, puts on a performance with large blossoms, numerous petals, and hints of green at its center. THESE PAGES: While it only takes one pot to create a festive display (above), the splendor of amaryllis magnifies when cut and arranged en masse, as Dallas stylist and floral designer Jimmie Henslee does with 'Rilona' stems in a brass urn.
known as Amaryllis belladonna. By 1799, English watchmaker and amateur horticulturist Arthur Johnson began interbreeding these flowerpower bulbs to create more magic. Ever since, the effort has been ongoing to improve on perfection and build a better amaryllis that features massive blossoms, varying shades from sparkling white to deepest blood red, picotee and streaked forms, and an assortment of petal shapes. New introductions are forever on the horizon, but many oldies remain mainstream such as the pink bloomer streaked with white flairs known as ‘Apple Blossom’ and the sparkling ‘Red Lion.’ Breeders such as the van Geest family in the Netherlands have been perfecting the bulbs since 1953. Third-generation grower Gerard van Geest says the best way to sum up amaryllis trends is with one word—big. We’re talking flowers that span a whopping 8-10 inches in diameter.
Beyond striving for extra-large blooms (sometimes called Jumbo), growers also desire a sturdy stalk to support the display, as well as thick petal substance. But what they aspire to the most is exquisite color. The velvety reds might feature the depth of darkened, almost burgundy overtones in their center while striping and streaks give the blossom nuance. Picotee edging adds panache, and throat hues bring depth. According to Gerard, white and red reign; however, his family’s nursery also promotes pink and lemon varieties. Gerard explains that because doubles have become popular, they are focusing on varying petal configurations from neatly tucked layering to less formal, pointed, many-petaled introductions.
While the market for amaryllis is global, Americans have always
harbored a healthy craving for novelties. Salmons, peaches, and even creamy yellows might not rack up the numbers compared to traditional whites and reds, but they are making a splash. Lorraine Calder, president of White Flower Farm, a Connecticutbased nursery with a mail-order and walk-in presence, has boots-on-theground experience with amaryllis trends. She understands the American desire for diversity, and White Flower Farm caters to the full color palette with varieties such as ‘Terra Cotta Star’ and ‘Rilona’ that gratify the swelling intrigue with peachhued amaryllis. Lorraine also notes that fragrance is becoming important in the amaryllis suite. “A soft, lily-like scent is desirable,” she says. ‘Rebecca’ (a pink trumpet) and luscious red ‘Double Delicious’ both check off the aromatic box. And for the novelty crowd, Lorraine says Cybister amaryllis, often called spider amaryllis, are all the rage. Unlike the typical plump-petalled flowers, Cybisters are downsized with thin petals in a starlike form. They look more like butterflies than spiders, especially given the streaks of color that often accent their petals. Cybisters are also known for producing several spikes and five to six flowers per stem, making them a favorite of floral designers.
In a midwinter arrangement, nothing achieves the va-va-voom drama quite like an amaryllis as a focal flower. Clustered together, they create an articulate dialogue. Coupled with foliage or other players, the blooms send rhythm through an arrangement. As mantel or tabletop elements, they provide height while playing well with other treasured components such as candlesticks and pottery.
For anyone who wants to watch the full show provided by amaryllis, growing the flowers from bulb to blossom is a snap. See the next page for a quick tutorial.
PHOTOS BY DAVID HILLEGAS
amaryllis 101
Keep Your Cool
Unlike forcing hardy bulbs such as tulips, amaryllis do not need a chilling period—in fact, these bulbs are often sold showing a teasing hint of bud.
Prepare To Plant
The traditional mode is to grow a bulb in a potting medium—any standard potting soil does the trick. Half to a third of the bulb should be exposed above the soil. Amaryllis prefer dry conditions prior to blooming, so a fairly snug container is a good choice. Amaryllis breeder Gerard van Geest says that starting an amaryllis in pebbles, seashells, or beach glass without soil is also a viable option. “The energy is already in the bulb,” he adds. Waxed bulbs that need no further planting medium are a relatively new fixture on the market. They perform without roots but cannot easily be coaxed to repeat the display in subsequent years, making them one-time wonders.
Water With Care
“Too much water in the beginning will lead to a long stem, which tends to topple unless strongly staked,” Gerard cautions. “When the flowers are almost open, the amaryllis needs water.”
Bloom and Repeat
After the dramatic display is finished (including multiple stems that often follow the initial blooms), give amaryllis their best shot at a repeat performance. Place them in a sunny spot and provide water and fertilizer throughout the summer while the bulbs gather energy for next year. Cut back the foliage in September and let the bulb rest by withholding water until November. Then give them light and water to spark another year of glory for all to enjoy.
A Final Note
Amaryllis plants are poisonous to people and pets, so be sure to keep them safely out of reach of potential nibblers.
OPPOSITE: Gilberto Freihoff of Dogwood & Fir in San Diego appreciates Cybister varieties for their sculptural, spider-like petals. “Amaryllis teach me patience as they take their time to process and bloom, but once they do, they’re longlasting and don’t hesitate to show off their beauty,” he says.
'Diamond Group Picotee' 'Apple Blossom'
'Rebecca'
'Red Lion'
'Double Delicious' 'Rilona'
ABOVE: In one of her footed marbleized bowls, ceramicist Frances Palmer arranges cut amaryllis with winterberry and eucalyptus branches to form a foundation for taller flowers such as calla lilies, parrot tulips, mauve lilies, and white anemones. OPPOSITE: To add height to a garland on her living room mantel, Tina Yaraghi of The Enchanted Home tucks potted amaryllis within the greenery and pinecones.
Quintessentially exotic yet within anyone’s reach, amaryllis start to blossom just when you crave flowers most.
Classic Christmas
Interior designer MARK KENNAMER’s home reflects his quintessential design sensibilities, his joy in curation, and during the holidays, his absolute devotion to Christmas decorating.
BY ALICE WELSH DOYLE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID HILLEGAS
I“IT’S REALLY NOT A FORMULA. I don’t know how to put it in words exactly,” says Birmingham, Alabama, interior designer Mark Kennamer when describing his own home. “It’s a collection of pieces that speak to me—ones that I simply love—and it just seems to all come together.” The interiors, however, are not some outpouring from a fever dream; there are design principles in play that make the rooms successful. From the moment you step inside, there’s a sense of curation—from proportion to palette to visual pull.
When it comes to the provenance of his furniture and décor choices, the designer has a benevolent disregard. His house includes English, Swedish, Italian, French, Scottish, and chinoiserie pieces, both antiques and reproductions. “I’m international,” he quips in his charming Southern cadence. He’s also an equal opportunity shopper. Mark’s sources range from high-end antiques stores to flea markets—and he’s even scored in the clearance bin at a fabric outlet. “I actually found a whole bolt of this wave-like pattern that reminded me of a Japanese-inspired wallcovering, and the bolt was an unmentionably low price,” says the designer. He fell hard for the print, which now has a starring role upstairs in a guest bedroom.
Naturally, Mark’s personal design obsessions appear in every room. For example, during the most recent renovation of the 100-year-old Colonial, Mark and husband John Paul Bruno decided to transform an office space into an enticing entertainment area. The room is enhanced by a scenic Iksel wallcovering that reflects Japanese culture, including flowering cherry trees. “Originally, I wanted to cover my whole primary bedroom in it, but that seemed a bit over the top,” Mark says. “Now it’s in a room we use a lot when friends are over, so more people get to enjoy it.”
While the house’s lower level incorporates the designer’s favorite color combination of blues and greens, he chose to give each upstairs guest room its own story and
PREVIOUS PAGES, LEFT TO RIGHT: The foyer includes a mix of treasures—from the Italian chest of drawers to the wrought iron lantern against a Scottish print wallpaper from Inchyra. A classic magnolia garland dresses the stairway • Interior designer Mark Kennamer at home. THESE PAGES, OPPOSITE: In the entertaining room, a wreath laden with lemons, limes, halo oranges, and eucalyptus offers instant cheer.
ABOVE: The tree features tinsel, birds, gilded pinecones, and family heirloom ornaments. Rocko keeps watch to makes sure no one peeks inside the packages.
personality. One is like a debutante outfitted in a sophisticated gown of chocolate and blue paired with a mahogany four-poster bed. The other is the sassy kid sister wearing a vintage shift dress in a coral-hued print, paired with a bamboo bedframe. And just like every other space in the home, each guestroom is thoughtfully accessorized, whether it’s a colorful Christopher Spitzmiller lamp or a Clarence House fabric bolster pillow.
“When we bought this house years ago, we knew it would require renovating and decorating that would need to occur in stages, but it was full of potential,” says Mark. With the original arches, niches, and high ceilings, the designer could anticipate the home it could become. While most renovations are complete, don’t expect him to stop dreaming and obsessing about its next chapter. That would be asking the impossible.
ABOVE: The dining table brims with holiday cheer, including an urn filled with greenery, ilex, red roses, amaryllis, anemones, and tulips. Smaller vases contain foraged Jackson vine and ranunculus, while compotes are mounded with more red roses. RIGHT: A custom shell-encrusted mirror by Houston artist Sheema Muneer brings a glamorous note to the circa-1790 demilune serving table.
Mark and John Paul Deck the Halls
The nostalgic Christmas-loving couple do all the holiday decorating themselves, and even though it takes advanced work and several days and nights to perfect, they enjoy the array of fresh greenery, berries, fruit, and flowers throughout the season. Here, Mark shares their point of view.
The living room mantel is dressed with a garland of blue
and ceder adorned with roses and clementines. Personalized stockings for Mark, John Paul, and all four of their pets are hung by the chimney with care. OPPOSITE: The guest bedroom’s punchy coral color in the fabrics and lamps inspired the décor for the fluffy wreath over the bed, which is adorned with roses, amaryllis, and anemones.
Let the House Set the Tone
Our Colonial-style architecture and my classic interior leanings influence our Christmas decorating. The exterior calls out for a symmetrical array of greenery, while a magnolia-based garland is ideal for the traditional front stairway.
Hunt, Gather, and Arrange the Greens
All the Jackson vine, boxwood, and jasmine woven into garlands and wreaths is from the backyard, while the magnolia was donated by a next-door neighbor. People are generally delighted to share, but showing up with a platter of Christmas cookies in return never hurts! When we’re arranging, we think about contrasts in texture—shiny, structured magnolia leaves look great with looser materials like sprigs of cedar. We also nestle ilex and gold pinecones into the mix.
Add Some Zest
We love the vivid colors and scents that citrus imparts during the holidays. John Paul takes the lead on dehydrating the oranges for the garland in the kitchen. We also use fresh fruit such as clementines, lemons, limes, and clove-studded oranges to adorn wreaths and garlands, and we fill clear containers with cranberries.
Bring on the Botanicals
For us, it wouldn’t be the holidays without fresh flowers in every room. They impart color and fragrance, add a luxurious layer to swags and wreaths, and offer a few surprise moments. Some of our favorites include ranunculus, peonies, roses, poppies, amaryllis, anemones, and tulips.
Spark Joy and Memories
When it comes to the tree decorations, our belief is the more, the merrier with plenty of colored lights, ornaments, and tinsel. We go old school rather than stick to a specific theme. And there are certain sentimental items that will always be part of our celebration such as ornament collections from John Paul’s grandmother and from my grandmother.
Weave a Little Magic
Ribbons drip from our dining room chandelier—we tie them on the tree and adorn wreaths with them to highlight or pull together the palette in a room. They’re also an easy way to switch out your Christmas décor if you want to change up color schemes each year.
Think Beyond the Vase
When I’m treasure hunting, I look for interesting objects that can double as floral containers for tables and other surfaces. For example, I found the urn on the dining room table at the Scott Antique Market in Atlanta, and I think it may be vintage Murano. It works well for thick stems like amaryllis that need a wider base. More shallow containers with wide openings are ideal for planting bulbs like paperwhites.
ABOVE:
spruce, Jackson vine,
“It wouldn’t be the holidays without fresh flowers in every room. They impart color and fragrance, add a luxurious layer to swags and wreaths, and offer a few surprise moments .” —MARK KENNAMER
LEFT: The primary bedroom features understated shades of blues. Mark chose a Greek key Kravet fabric for the drapery panels. A magnolia garland hangs over the upholstered headboard. ABOVE: In the primary bathroom, de Gournay’s swirling fish metallic wallcovering adds a luxurious layer. A simple cedar wreath adorned with sheer silver ribbons brings Christmas cheer.
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“My large-scale flower sculptures are a tribute to the flora and fauna of my childhood in the countryside of Northern Denmark. Inspired by the Danish folk art tradition of paper cutting called gækkebrev, I’ve developed my own technique where I fold shapes and create three-dimensional forms by twisting, twining, squeezing, crumpling, and cutting through 50 layers of paper at a time with only my hands and a pair of scissors. My fantastical flowers have a secret life of their own. They self-pollinate, grow elements like insect antennae, and make you feel as small as Thumbelina from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen—a fellow Dane who was also a keen paper cutter. Visitors to my atelier are spellbound by the huge blooms, and even bees are drawn into the flowers when I open the door. Isn’t that just exactly how magically and poetically nature meets us?” — MARIANNE ERIKSEN SCOTT-HANSEN
