In Burnaby, B.C., designer Tanya Krpan creates a holiday-ready home for a very special client.

Sometimes you meet a client for the first time and it feels like you’ve known them your whole life,” says Tanya Krpan. “But in this case, that was the truth!” She’s talking about her sister, Melina Maierle, who, with Melina’s husband, Mike, asked Tanya to renovate their home – not just for year-round living, but for Christmas, too. With four boys, ages one to eight, the couple hoped for joy-filled holidays in a home with stylish furnishings that would last. “For both the Christmas decor and the home overall, the look is very Melina and Mike – soft neutrals with rich touches of black, cranberry, spruce and caramel,” says Tanya. “I call it ‘Neutral with a touch of zazz!’”

ALL AGLOW

Opening presents, taking family pictures by the tree, wearing matching PJs, lighting the fireplace and watching holiday movies – these are just a few of homeowner Melina Maierle’s favourite things about family time in the living room. And thanks to her sister, designer Tanya Krpan, everyone can snuggle on the massive modular sofa and ottoman, which are covered with durable fabric – a must with kids. Freshly snipped boughs scent the room, as does the tree, which was flocked for a snowy look. “Adding brass candlesticks and lights is always a win,” says Tanya. The black drapes are the home’s signature piece. “They bring an element of swish pizzazz,” she says. Layering three rugs provides a soft landing spot for tumbling boys.

Melina and husband Mike with Mason, 8, Jude, 5, Beau, 3, and Rome, 1. “I love the ‘alive-ness’ and smell of the tree and garland at the height of the season,” says Melina.

“As we decorate the tree, the older kids are quick to remind Mike and me not to hang glass ornaments on the lower branches where Rome could break them,” says Melina.

“Opening stockings before gifts was a tradition when Tanya and I were little. We’re carrying that on,” says Melina.

“Under the tree, but not over the top,” says Tanya of the vintage ribbons and berries on the packages. Sprigs of green throughout the home echo the year-round palette of rich natural hues, including greens, browns and reds.

BOUGHS SO GREEN

Tanya removed a wall to create a marble-lined serving station that’s perfect for cocoa pouring. It’s a convenient place for serving drinks and setting dirty dishes aside. The reeded oak cabinets are stocked and ready for entertaining. Even the wall art is draped in yuletide style.

Holiday meals are served under the glow of snowball-shaped pendants while diners are seated on snowdrift-curved chairs. The counter is table height – so much safer for little ones. “It’s easier for kids to climb onto chairs than stools,” says Tanya. Looking fittingly frosty at this time of year are reeded glass cabinet doors.

Before opening the presents, it’s waffle time, and everybody joins in. Sprigs of rosemary in a culinary wreath impart their aroma to the busy kitchen. “I love how classic the brass band on the black metal range hood looks when highlighted with holiday greens,” says Tanya.

OH, CHRISTMAS TREE!

When they tiptoe into the dining room to look at the tree, the boys enter a magical world. “I treated this room like a little jewel box. It’s its own thing,” says Tanya. There’s fun dotted wallpaper and dramatic black drapes, and an opalescent glass chandelier that glows like the moon. The smooth mango wood credenza and white oak table layer in a natural warmth.

SLEIGH BELLS RING

“The garlands and wreaths may be traditional, but they’re simplified. Nothing in the home is overdone,” says Tanya. The boys’ raucous shoe tying and boot pulling takes place on a white oak bench. The throw introduces a little cranberry-hued pizzazz.

SNUG IN THEIR BEDS

Baby Rome awakens eager to play with the “big kids” downstairs by the tree. Scents of an orange-slice garland fill his room. When Melina lifts him up and out, he pads across a fluffy 1960s rug that belonged to his grandmother. At nap time, he’ll have sweet green dreams thanks to the room’s comforting deep spruce wall.

’Tis the season for Mason and Jude to don Christmas PJs, open advent calendars, and curl up with holiday storybooks (maybe Roch Carrier’s classic, The Hockey Sweater). Tanya set the scene with plaid bedding, festive sheets and a pompom garland. “All year, their room combines storage and display for their hockey gear, toys and medals,” she says, referring to the cubbies. “But for Christmas, I added a wreath adorned with Lego blocks and a peace sign.”