Top Producer 20+ years for a reason
In the real estate world the title is not just awarded but rather earned. For those who receive it year after year after year it means a tireless commitment, it means answering the phone when it rings, turning problems into solutions, and going well beyond minimum requirements.
A free exhibition at the Library of Virginia explores the historic neighborhood that was once the center of Richmond’s Black community through the lens of the Skipwith-Roper family.
MEGAN'S BEDROOM
A romantic, feminine bedroom
Provincial
it’s for today’s living, it’s taking old things and making them new again.”
While decorating the home, Byrd and the homeowners discovered a mutual a nity for all things Christmas, and Byrd was invited to return and adorn the house for the holidays.
Byrd approaches Christmas decorations as an extension of a home’s existing design. He sought to maintain the same subdued color palette with elements of o -white and mixed metals — again aiming for a textural, tactile vibe. He accented marble and white
fireplaces with garlands of evergreen, gold and silver ornaments, sprigs of dried flowers, and twisted gold ribbon.
“I wanted to add sparkle here and there,” he says. “It’s about creating a festive mood, a lively atmosphere that conjures up happiness.”
Pops of red come in the form of poinsettias, vintage vases and accessories, and a sitting room tree — but Byrd is careful not to lean into the stereotypical yuletide color scheme.
“Christmas, of course, is special, but I don’t think you need to bring in all of the red and green to celebrate,” he says. “It can be done in a way that complements your decor and still feels festive — and it really does come down to that color palette.”
Decorating with style doesn’t mean sacrificing the personal touches that serve as reminders of holidays past. In this case, the
homeowners have an annual tradition of giving each other an ornament that honors their accomplishments, travels and other memories from the year gone by. After nearly four decades, the couple have accumulated a collection that could be a disorganized jumble, but with Byrd’s help it becomes yet another point of interest.
“When you have multiples of anything, I’m all for saying, ‘The more the merrier,’” Byrd says. “If you have a hodgepodge or ornaments you’ve collected as a family over the years, maybe you have a special tree in one room and a more formal tree that works with the color palette in another room.
“When you have a collection like that, it needs to be corralled together instead of spread throughout the house. Go maximalist, overdo it, mix the old and the new, and show your collection in an interesting way that creates a conversation piece.”
DEN
The pair of custom matching sofas are covered in a Thibault fabric. The antique co ee table, crafted from the hatch of a World War II-era ship, is a family piece. The cooking tools in the fireplace were inherited with the house, and the prints on the mantel are antique English lithographs.
SON’S ROOM
A Christopher Farr Cloth throw brightens the bed. The Queen Anne wing chair is vintage Pennsylvania House, and the pillow is crafted from Vaughan fabric. The antique chandelier belonged to Hillery’s mother, and the white alligator figurine is vintage.
bell every year, and the family loves hanging them on the tree alongside handpainted nutcrackers and cherished clothespin ornaments from preschool. The tree also includes ornaments celebrating the New Orleans Saints, her husband’s hometown team, as well as a prized win from an ugly ornament exchange.
Instead of tinsel, Hillery ties blue velvet ribbon onto the branches for a Victorian feel. Underneath the tree, she carries the blue theme into the gift wrap, complete with satin ribbon and handmade tags.
Hillery looks forward to designing a different tablescape each year, finding inspiration in her collection of china, glassware, linens and placemats. Her blue-themed table setting includes Anna Weatherly blue china topped with her Lenox wedding china. The monogrammed vintage napkins give a pop of color, while the sheer placemats and oyster salt dishes add a touch of whimsy.
Once the decorating is done, the Hillerys can’t wait to fill their home with friends and family. They even keep a few extra stockings on hand for any Christmas morning guests.
“If you theme it and go through the extreme of all the fresh greenery, you are inviting friends and family over,” Hillery says.
They enjoy mixing up their menu, but a few favorites include New Orleans gumbo and bourbon milk punch from her husband’s family or her mother’s homemade stu ng and coconut cake. While Hillery loves creating an element of surprise every year, one area she never changes is the fireplace in the den, where she strings Christmas cards on ribbon.
“Seeing my friends and family and the faces of all their kids just makes me smile,” she says. “As much as I love things, it’s the people who bring us joy, and that’s what the holidays are all about.”
Style Like Sara
• Use items you have on hand, from family collectibles to freshly cut greenery.
• Make it personal — hang sentimental ornaments and monogrammed linens.
• Tie simple knots instead of perfect bows for an e ortless, romantic look.
• Involve the kids for family fun.
• Resist the urge to over-decorate.
DESIGNER SUE MONDEAU
of Su Su's Petals uses treasured collections in her displays, such as a grove of glass trees or an amalgam of funky vessels filled with greenery. Playing with color is another good move. An accent shade from the home’s decor, the
unconventional pairing of pink and red, or novel hues of red and green can be stunning. “Just be thoughtful of how the colors and styles interact,” Mondeau says. For maximum e ect, “put a wreath above and swag the garland under the mantel to make the space feel bigger,"
Mondeau suggests. Scale matters, too. "If there is lots of space, you have to use bigger items.”
“Look for what you are drawn to in your home or find a picture of something that makes your heart sing,” she advises. “These images are your compass for a look that is authentically yours.”
