I love this time of year with all the twinkling lights and beautiful wreaths, garland and mailbox adornments! It actually makes me appreciate daylight savings time (albeit temporarily!), as I don’t seem to mind shuttling my kids around in the dark amidst all the glittering lights and holiday displays. Another highlight of the season? All of the holiday parties and the chance to see the inside of other people’s homes! Today, I’d like to invite you into the beautiful Birmingham home of Marci and Douglas Grant. So grab a cup of joe or pour a glass of wine, settle in and enjoy our virtual Holiday Open House!
Purple pansies blooming from a copper urn add to the welcoming feel of the Grant’s home. Marci enlisted the help of Jenny Garrison of Thomas and Garrison Designs, to decorate her home for the holidays.
Jenny used locally sourced items to create this grapevine floral cone wrapped in white birch bark and moss.
Ok, let’s get out of the cold (well, lately, warm) December air. Come on inside and let me show you around!
The front hall is stunning with the pecky cypress wall, antique antlers, french settee and white cow hide rug, as well as the gorgeous garland and floral-filled silver tussy mussies draped over the stair rail. I could stay right here for a while, but we should probably move on.
Let’s check out the dining room to our right.
The dining room is decorated with a triple wreath hung on the French trumeau mirror, a centerpiece of tulips, seeded eucalyptus and berries in a silver vase and a dazzling tree dripping in drool-worthy ornaments. I especially love the tulips in the hanging bud vase ornaments on the tree and the stone nativity underneath the tree providing the perfect North Star-like back drop.
Here’s another view of the dining room. The fabulous painting is by none other than Meredith Keith, and the dreamy console table is made by Lucy Smith. Both of these artists are at Gallery 1930, which we featured last month on StyleBlueprint (click here to read). Jenny added simple garland on the table and let the tree across the room take center stage. The white nutcrackers with bright chartreuse ribbons around their necks also add a festive touch to the table.
Now let’s slip through the butler’s pantry so I can show you the kitchen!
The kitchen is a cook’s delight with a large marble slab island that’s just perfect for rolling out cookie dough and creating that magical platter of goodies for Santa. I also love that the wreaths are oval instead of the usual, expected round.
Another nice touch underneath one of the kitchen windows in the photo below… I love how Jenny used this cloche with the Santa statue and a bit of greenery for a more subtle holiday look.
And now it’s time for the grand finale… Behold the ahhhmazing living room!
The living room is so warm and inviting with the majestic twinkling tree and adorned mantel set off by all the neutral decor.
The mercury glass trees and metallic deer reflect the light from the tree and the votives, giving the whole room a warm, cozy, happy vibe.
I love Jenny’s fresh take and use of tulips throughout the house, along with the mix of green apples, pine cones, seeded eucalyptus and green berries nestled in cypress garland. Add silver vases and ornaments and bright green ribbons throughout and everything comes to together for a picture-perfect home for the holidays!
Jenny Garrison’s design theory is based on effortless elegance alongside practical living solutions. She believes that a solid foundation provides the ideal canvas for layering elements of style. Jenny and her business partner, Barbara Thomas, have over 30 years of combined experience and provide each client individualized services, ranging from interior and exterior design, event consultation and floral design. It is their goal to aid the client in discovering his or her unique style and to provide the expertise and resources necessary to express it. For more information about Thomas and Garrison Designs, click here: www.facebook.com/ThomasAndGarrisonDesigns.
Today’s fabulous photos are brought to you courtesy of Beth Hontzas of Beth Hontzas Photography. For more information on Beth or to see how she can help you with any photography needs, check out her website at www.bethhontzas.com or call (205) 253-5870.
Thanks for these beautiful photos, Beth! And a big thank you, Marci, for hosting this open house for all of our readers!!!
