The first cold spell of the season brings pristine spirit and vibrant energy to help us make our holiday decorating extraordinary!  This is the time of the year that we can indulge in a celebration of our families, our homes and our faith.  Lavishly decorated, romantically lit and beautifully appointed with antique and family collections, our homes sparkle even more with Christmas magic. If you need inspiration for seasonal decorating, antiques provide centuries of divine spirit, romance and drama that will ignite your imagination and bring forth eye-catching enchantment.

Being a life-long collector of keepsakes gathered over many years, I decorate with and find antiques both functional and useful ~ besides being aesthetically pleasing, which is a perfect combination!  I instinctively look to these timeless relics for my seasonal decorating as objets d’art to arrange as props for staging my array of settings.  With an exquisite layering of timeless antiques, Italian candlesticks, bronze angels, urns, jardinières and statues, I add organic elements like fresh evergreens, florals, topiaries, holly and berries.  With each passing year as my collection evolves, so do my displays.  As a set designer, I create each stage, but my venue changes so as to retain interest from my audience.  Ever mixing textures, I like adding different focal or floral elements and subtly changing the look of each vignette.

Holidays are the time of the year to be a lot more glamorous, theatrical and opulent. I call it “decorating with the volume turned up”.

No matter which style you prefer, the dramatic impact of antiques dictates a singular focus while bringing appealing visual balance to the composition.  For example, juxtapose a rustic country snow sleigh or an ancient statue of a saint.

Perhaps even more then china, glassware and linens this time of the year, the right lighting can set the mood for an enchanted holiday evening.  Lighting instantly changes the appearance of a table or room. Antique candlesticks, candelabras and even glasses used as votives can magically transform a room with the wonderful flickering iridescence of candlelight.  This magical glow is reflected in the centuries-old patina of antiques, hand cut crystal and precious metals, enhancing even more the romance of our holiday tableaux.

This upcoming season is also the perfect opportunity to display cherished antique and vintage Religious artifacts. In my travels I always look for incredible spiritual pieces for use around our homes in decorating, especially during this time of year.  For example, an antique 18^th century Madonna statue is stunning when surrounded by a collection of antique Italian altar candlesticks.  Figures like this are also amazing when displayed with votives and fresh greenery.  I love the look of these symbols of faith on mantels, buffets and counters, as they add interest and instant character to any room.

Every year we open our doors to family and dear friends for unforgettable celebrations with lavish holiday décor, and welcome them with objects that have stories to tell.  This time of the year offers an opportunity to interpret the season in very individual ways and start your own memorable family traditions with historic displays that radiate your very own personal nostalgic Christmas tales.

This article appeared in Beverly Drive Magazine.