hades of green, from holly to lime, or perhaps you think of red holly berries and candy cane crimson. However, there are so many more colors you can bring to your home during the holidays and Christmas 2021 is all about bringing in more beautiful hues! Of course, at the shop, we go all in on our palettes but that doesn’t mean you can’t mix and match in the comfort of your own space.
The holidays are a time of celebration and glamour, the time of year when we bring out our finest dinnerware and crystal to celebrate with family and friends alike. If there was ever a season to be “extra”, I would say it has arrived! As I was deciding on our holiday displays for the year, I couldn’t help but feeling that something was missing from the mix. Knowing that I wanted to keep a thread of nostalgia coming through in all of our holiday looks, I finally found what I didn’t yet know I was looking for. Going back through old photos (vintage is just a style waiting to be new again!) I saw the most glamorous trends of the 50s – tinsel and the fabulous aluminum tree. The sparkle, the fun, the sharp pointy edges! In all seriousness, I love the metallic shine that this style brings to the holidays and knew I needed to transform my favorite part of them into our 2021 holiday displays.
One of the many wonderful things about Christmas décor is that there are so many different looks with which to express yourself. Whether you love the traditional punchy vibrancy of a kitschy cute look or are looking for something a bit more refined, there is always a holiday collection perfect for building your dream collection.
After such a strange couple of years (what an understatement), I have been craving a holiday that feels like things are finally back to normal. There has been a huge demand for the holiday colors and décor of yesteryear whether that be our 30-year-old homeowners looking for a 90’s resurgence or vintage inspired goodies that take us further back in time. I was thrilled to find just the right pieces to create looks that encompass both memories from my childhood and speak to the magic of the season from the years that came before.
There are many things that I get to do as owner of Nell Hill’s that are a pleasure and a dream. One of my favorite perks is getting to meet wonderful new friends and seeing their beautiful homes. There is something special about being able to work closely with a friend to help bring her or his decor vision to life, especially during the holiday season! One new friend, Ann, and her husband Frank welcomed my team and me into their new Loch Lloyd lakeside oasis to bring a bit of Christmas cheer this December.
We’ve covered a lot of holiday looks this year, from Santa’s Workshop to Woodland Wonderland to Beautiful Blue Christmas. I want to round out our Nell Hill’s displays with a look that is full of classic Christmas colors and nostalgia. In a year such as this one, I find myself craving the comfort of the well-known and the traditional holiday atmosphere from my childhood. I’m talking punchy greens, shiny reds and all the ribbon, perfectly mis-matched ornaments and bubble lights that I can find!
Blue Christmas might not be the most uplifting holiday song, but our Blue Christmas room is certainly one beautiful display! Blue and white is one of my absolute favorite color combinations year-round so we always have a stunning selection of chinoiserie here at the shop. While not a classic Christmas palette like pine green and poinsettia red, blue is often used to represent winter so I like to think it fits in just right for Christmas and is a frosty, magical approach to the season!
When I think of Christmas, there are a few things that pop instantly into my mind. Classic red and green, sitting inside by the fire with my nearest and dearest, positioning the nativity scene just so, and sleigh bells jingling. However, as I was looking at all of our holiday goodies, I realized that I wanted to do something a bit different that reflects the changes this year has brought for me. Like many families, we’re spending even more time outside and this has given me a newfound appreciation for the beauty of nature and the simplistic joy and wonder that it brings.
Since we have had our first snow here in Kansas City, it means I can officially dive headfirst into the Holiday season, right? I sure hope so because I am ready for all the jingle bell rocking to begin! Even when Thanksgiving isn’t so late in the month, I always find myself sneaking Christmas out a bit early in my home. While I do like to celebrate each holiday, especially ones centered around yummy food and giving thanks, I say after Halloween, any holiday décor is fair game! The shop is a different story however – we’ve been getting ready for Christmas since the end of September! The first look we were able to get setup is what I am calling Santa’s Workshop. Located in our newly painted “Flint Hill’s Room” this look is full of whimsey, classic colors, and some of our favorite holiday characters.
I knew that I wanted to bring in a look that encompassed how I feel around this time and how I want others to feel when they visit the shop. I kept coming back to one word in my mind – cozy. That is why our Ski Lodge look has become one of my absolute favorites this year. While we may be short a few mountains here in Kansas City, the feeling of warmth, comfort and relaxation that comes with the rich red hues, soft plaids and fresh wood tones is something that resonates even here on the plains.
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Sunday: 12pm-5pm