Christmas dinner, succulent prime rib and rich homemade apple pie are non-negotiables for the owners of this century-old Toronto home. In terms of Christmas decorations, though, flexibility is definitely on the menu – so much so, they handed the reins to interior designer Stacy McLennan to help whip up some festive inspiration. “They are very open to trying new things for the holidays and left all of the details to me,” says Stacy. “And I thought this look was perfect – casual and elegant, but not too pristine for a busy husband, wife and their two teenaged daughters.”

This absolute trust in Stacy’s vision wasn’t a spontaneous leap of faith. She had worked closely with the couple in 2009, designing a two-storey extension for their home that added 320 square feet to the original 2,100-square-foot layout and included opening up the kitchen to face the newly built family room. “As well as an open-concept configuration, they wanted a bright, sunny space,” says Stacy, “so I designed a wall of windows for the new addition.”


Classic kitchen
“The holiday decorations in the kitchen are simple,” says Stacy. “The family loves to cook, so this space needed to remain functional and easy to use.” Small arrangements of greenery and Mason jars filled with red cranberries are discreet yet subtly tap into the classic colours of the season.

Floral centrepiece
The dining room features a quintessential Christmas floral arrangement: loose
and lush amaryllis in full bloom. The dining chairs are upholstered in metallic vinyl for no-fuss, easy cleaning, which comes in handy for holiday entertaining.
Festive table setting
“I wanted the table setting to be a continuation of the polished metals and natural decor used throughout the house,” says Stacy. The place card holders she made out of birch branches fit the bill and are an easy DIY project. A simple ornament on a plate adds instant whimsy, while the contrast of white silver-rimmed dishes and dark bronze chargers creates an inviting layered effect.
Keeping with tradition
“There’s continuity from room to room, and the juxtaposition of rustic decor and refined colours keeps the space from feeling overdone.” says Stacy. The balance of warmth and uncontrived style is completely in sync with the homeowners’ traditions, “I focused on capturing the beauty of the season through light and other natural elements, such as greenery, floral arrangements and pinecones.”
Open-concept family room
“The colour scheme here is subdued, with soft whites, warm mauves and natural linen tones,” says designer Stacy McLennan. “By keeping the walls and furniture neutral, the homeowners have a lot of flexibility. They can add colour with decor accessories or stick to a more sophisticated look.” In this open-concept layout, custom ottomans visually separate the family room from the dining area and offer flexible seating options.
Purple colour palette
Metallic bronze and silver decor animate the space with a crisp contemporary style while the tone-on-tone purple shades like plum, burgundy and violet reference the creamy monochromatic palette found throughout the home.

Playful holiday decor
An unadorned cedar wreath suspended by a simple ribbon acts as a harmonious foil to the abundance of tree trimmings. On the coffee table, luxe sterling silver bowls eschew formality when partnered with organic elements like birch branches and pinecones. Ornaments arranged over some greenery in a tray keep the look playful.

Stylish ornaments
Decorations and stylish ornaments adorn the large Christmas tree, which keeps with the polished metals and neutral decor theme.