Holiday House

A home in Summit gets a sumptuous holiday makeover. (Photos by Laura Moss)

Photo by Laura Moss.

We asked floral designer extraordinaire Jerry Rose to create a sumptuous look for the holidays using easy-to-find materials like flowers, fruits, and garlands. Here are the beautiful results, along with rose’s timely tips for decking out your own home.

RELAXED ELEGANCE: An abundance of red roses makes a cheery holiday table. The silver champagne bucket—a gift from Beshar’s mother-in-law—holds a bounty of blooms on the sideboard. Extra-wide satin ribbon laid in strips enhances the table while creating pseudo placemats. The silver cups— Beshar’s grandmother’s—are filled with ranunculus, paper whites, roses, and more candles.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: An assortment of holiday greens are loosely arranged for the mantel garland.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Thick gold ribbon adorns the staircase garland, adding a touch of Christmas shine.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Pinecones collected from the backyard are tossed here and there, creating a wintry feel.

SNOWSCAPE: A tabletop display of tree-shaped candles, pinecones, and topiaries creates a still-life scene in front of a wintry painting.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Creating a wintry feel. Wreaths in every window add a festive atmosphere. Just for fun, Beshar’s family train set, added to yearly, encircles holiday desserts.

Resources:
Floral design and holiday decor: Jerry Rose Floral and Event Design, 973-762-1085, jerryrose.com. Interior designer: Annette H. Beshar, ASID, 908-273-2114. Stair carpet: J. Herbro Carpet
(to the trade), 973-227-3541. Drapery workroom: Jill Santella, 908-277-2440. Framing: Nicholas F. Rizzo Fine Arts, 973-635-7278. Baked goods: Brownie Points Bakery, 908-464-2253.

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Decorating Tips

Use Treasured Items
Keep traditions strong by displaying objects of family history. “There should be something that means something special to you in every setting,” says Jerry Rose, who used many of Annette Beshar’s family heirlooms in his decor.

Incorporate Winter’s Bounty
There are many beautiful items in your own backyard—pinecones, boughs of holly, red berries, lush pine branches.

Forget Perfect
Keep your settings loosely
arranged, not terribly stiff or staged. “It doesn’t have to look like it came out of the pages of a magazine,” says Rose.

Add Sparkle to Every Setting
“It’s the perfect time for glitz, so don’t hold back,” Rose says. “I call it the Christmas shine.”

Use Red and Green
“It’s Christmastime; red and green bring out the holiday cheer,” says Rose. “Whether it matches the room or not, it’s a jolly color combination.”

Keep Artificial Minimal
If you must use fake, incorporate some live in it. If it’s the mess you’re worried about, there
are a number of fresh greens that will last through the holiday season, such as magnolia and boxwood.

Group Things Together
Create a still-life collection of vases, candlesticks, pinecones, fruit, and picture frames. Add flowers and greenery and you’ve created a lovely holiday tablescape.

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