Designer Patti Wilson credits her love of Christmas decorating to her mother’s magical approach to the holiday. So, this year, with sons Connor and Logan home for the holidays, it felt like a good time to celebrate the season especially brightly. In more formal areas of Patti’s home, like the dining room, she opted for a classic, elegant look well suited to welcoming friends and family for drinks and dinner. But for the kitchen and family room, with their contemporary and midcentury influences, the mood is more relaxed. Yet throughout her home, it’s the connection to family – tableware lovingly passed down from mother to daughter, ornaments familiar since childhood – that pulls everything together.

Tip #1

Holiday classics Fresh greenery fills a home with scent and a wonderful feeling of abundance. The lush garland atop the fireplace is embellished with magnolia leaves, pinecones, cranberries and old-fashioned ivory silk ribbon. A lavish floral centrepiece and a tree bedecked in soft teal, green and gold ornaments add to the timeless mood.

Tip #2

Christmas past Memories are as important as all the details when decorating for the holidays, says designer Patti Wilson. Her mother’s beautiful china takes centre stage at Patti’s own holiday table. Pretty brass candlesticks and gold-rimmed glassware complement her mother’s gold chargers, which always evoke memories of childhood Christmas dinners.

 

Photography, Mike Chajecki

DESIGN, Patti Wilson, Patti Wilson Design. PAINT, Flint AF-560 (fireplace wall), White Down OC-131 (trim and built-ins), Benjamin Moore. Blue SIDEBOARD (refurbished by Patti), Millionaire’s Daughter. CANDELABRA, LAMP, Antiques on 48. TWIG SCULPTURE, GARLAND, FLORALS, gold CANDLESTICKS, CENTREPIECE, Blossom Boutique. area carpet, Alexanian Carpet & Flooring. Cambridge Collection CHANDELIER, Hinkley Lighting.

Tip #3

Dressing up, naturally Though subtle, colour plays a key role in the family room’s holiday decor. “I always like to pick three colours and stick with them throughout the decor,” Patti says. Here, it’s gold, silver and natural wood tones, which can be seen in the pinecones on the tree, the leather ottoman, the cozy throw and even the “wood” tones of the vintage record player.

Tip #4

Family hour Part of what makes the family room so welcoming – especially in pajamas on the big morning! – is that its holiday decor is purposely kept low-key: a simple garland over the mirror and a tree trimmed with old-fashioned stars, glass balls and pinecones. The understated setting keeps the focus on family simply enjoying one another’s company.

 

Photography, Mike Chajecki

Custom ACCENT CHAIRS; Loloi Rugs area carpet; Patti Wilson Design. THROW, HomeSense. Leather OTTOMAN, Niche Decor. Brass BOWL (with greenery), Blossom Boutique. wall pAINT, Wind’s Breath OC-24, Benjamin Moore.

Tip #5

Less is more The kitchen shows midcentury influences, with its Danish dining set and rich, loden-green walls. Decor pieces with the same unfussy feel – tapered candles from Denmark in simple holders, clean white dinnerware – work well in this setting, the perfect accents to a rich but cohesive centrepiece trimmed with cinnamon sticks, oranges and berries.

 

Photography, Mike Chajecki

PENDANT, Hinkley Lighting. ART, Patti Wilson Design. CENTREPIECE, Blossom Boutique. WALL PAINT, In the Garden CSP 805, Benjamin Moore.