When it comes to decorating for the holiday season, I like to start off with stems. A great display is built up in layers and levels, each as important as the next. Beginning with greenery allows a strong base canvas to display all of your holiday splendor. You can’t very well add ornaments until you get the tree up first!
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.
The tree is lit, the table is set, and your home is smelling of Frasier Fir and holiday Tidings. There is nothing left to do but sink back into your beautiful plaid pillows and kick your feet up….wait a minute…presents! If you are like me, all year long I see items where I think “this would be perfect for so and so!” and then promptly forget each and every idea once gift buying season comes around.
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!
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.
For many families (mine included), this year’s holiday celebrations are going to look a little different. While I won’t be hosting a grand dinner full of family and friends, I still want to make this Thanksgiving as special and meaningful as possible (because despite all the negative things about the year, we have so much for which to be thankful). One way I know how to do this (besides the copious amounts of food I am planning on prepping) is with décor.
Romance is in the air…or is that just the smell of Christopher Elbow chocolates? Sometimes it’s hard for me to tell them apart! Regardless, Valentine’s Day is approaching and as a lover of seasonal décor I am thrilled that the shop has pops of my favorite red and white goodies! They remind me of all the fun I had during our classroom Valentines Day parties as a kid! Like decorating valentine boxes and handing out cute cards to my fellow classmates (or maybe it was all the sweets I got to take home after)! It can be easy to veer into “cheesy” décor territory with something as whimsical and light hearted as Valentine’s Day, but with the proper approach I find it to be a fun and festive time of year that is perfect to cheer up your home after the bulk of winter holiday decorations have been put away.
Holidays bring the most wonderful hosting opportunities! I find such joy in putting together the “perfect” table and decking my halls to the fullest in anticipation of my nearest and dearest joining me for some festive fun. However, as I prepped for my hostessing duties this year I was reminded of an area that is highly trafficked but sometimes neglected – the bar. I spend so much time thinking about my dishes and décor that sometimes I tend to play it safe with my beverage selection. Not this year! In order to take my bar to the next level I knew I would need some guidance. So, I picked out a few of my favorite glassware pieces and called out for professional help. Luckily, just a short drive away from us is a cocktail destination with all the style, skill and delicious sips that I needed to take my entertaining to the next level.
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.
Monday – Saturday: 10am-6pm
Sunday: 12pm-5pm