Interior: Debbie Travis's rustic Christmas charm

Debbie Travis revels in her family Christmas traditions. Whether it’s stuffing stockings with the requisite socks and toothbrushes, lighting the plum pudding after a big turkey dinner (“I usually use a whole bottle of brandy to get the thing lit!” she says) or organizing the annual open house on Boxing Day (a custom inspired by her childhood growing up in England), these tried-and-true rituals are always something to look forward to and enjoy. But for Canada’s decorating doyenne, who has done everything from producing and hosting several popular makeover series to creating her own product line, it makes perfect sense that adhering to tradition doesn’t necessarily apply to her Christmas decorating.


Home for the holidays
“I really like to change it up,” says Debbie. When it comes to bedecking her Montreal home for the holidays, she gives the stately 1880s house she shares with her husband, Hans Rosenstein, and two grown children, Josh and Max, a new look each year. This holiday season, Debbie veered from her usual eclectic approach and incorporated a more streamlined aesthetic, using decorations in the same silver, white and green palette throughout. “I like to have fun with my decorating, but this year I went a bit more posh,” she says. Enhancing this winter wonderland of a colour scheme and lending a bit of rustic charm are ornaments that nod to nature. Deer, birds, snowflakes, pine cones and antlers (“Anything you’d see on a woodland walk,” says Debbie) can be spotted sitting on the mantel, tied to garlands and hanging from the tree. While the look is consistent everywhere, Debbie still kept in mind the style and function of each room when incorporating her Christmas decor.