Decorator Michael Penney uses natural elements to give a family home festive flair that's perfect for welcoming loved ones.
Whitby homeowner Jennifer Brumley turned to decorator Michael Penney, owner of three Whitby decor stores, Penney & Company, Pineapple Street and Sweet Violet, for help with her holiday decor. “Jennifer is a regular at my shops, and we quickly struck up a friendship,” says Michael. “She has a huge passion for design, so I let the style of her home set the tone, and we built up the scheme from there.”
Michael relied on an abundance of greenery, such as boxwood, seeded eucalyptus, tiny fir trees and moss, to bring Christmasy charm to the space. “I used natural materials, including branches and berries, to really highlight these beautiful rooms in a quiet yet seasonal way,” he says. His task was to merge Jennifer’s desired minimalism with full-on Christmas trimmings, something he claims is quite easy. “Minimal doesn’t have to mean sparse,” says Michael. “Limit the number of elements in the scheme – just a few key colours or materials, for example – then repeat them throughout for a look that’s full and festive but doesn’t assault the senses.”
Like all good decorators, Michael likes to add an unexpected touch to a room as a talking point. His choice of accent colours in the couple’s home, for example, livens up the mostly natural scheme. To many, the cool pale aqua and purple Christmas ornaments might seem out of place in an otherwise traditional palette. But not to Michael: “Don’t worry about being perfect, because in the end it will be boring and generic. Build on personal traditions and highlight what you love.” That’s something Jennifer’s family has done for many Christmases and will continue to do in the years to come.
Photo Gallery
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Front foyer
Embellished with natural elements, thes winter front foyer offers a warm welcome. "This is the space the family uses most to enter and exit their home, so we didn't want to forget about it," says Michael.
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Front foyer
Embellished with natural elements, thes winter front foyer offers a warm welcome. "This is the space the family uses most to enter and exit their home, so we didn't want to forget about it," says Michael.
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Open-concept living space
The deep tones of the hickory hardwood floors give the open-concept main level a warm feel. Decorator Michael Penney placed the Christmas tree between the living and dining areas "to anchor the living room and mark the transition between the two spaces."
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Old-world accents in a new-build kitchen
A maple mantel fronts the range hood and makes a grand old-world gesture in the new-build kitchen. Wooden accents form a warm counterpoint to the marble countertop.
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Adorned back entrance
Decked out in boxwod, not even the back entrance was overlooked. "We can see this space from the kitchen," says homeowner Jennifer Brumley. "It was so thoughtful of Michael to decorate it.
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Dining room symmetry
In the open-concept dining area, Michael relied on symmetry and scale. "I flanked the bold hydrangea arrangement with poinsettia pots to help define this space and create a focal point," he says. Seeded eucalyptus branches adorn the chandelier.
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Tufted armchairs
In the living room, a pair of cream tufted armchairs shares the floor with a lavender one that lends a bit of colour to the space. "For Christmas dinner, we move these chairs to the dning area," says Jennifer. "They provide extra seating and make everyone feel like a king at the table."
House tour: Natural and traditional Christmas
Candles and cedar boughs
Candles of various heights are nestled into cedar boughs for a loose and glowing effect on a dresser in the master bedroom. Natural materials highlight these beautiful rooms in a quiet yet seasonal way.
Comments