Today is Day 1 of the FINE House & Garden Tree Farm-Themed Holiday Shop, and I'm basically Elf-level excited. It's not even Thanksgiving yet, but it's never to early for some Christmas cheer. Christmas is our favorite time of year at Elizabethtown Lifestyle. We love all things winter: Evergreen everything, holiday colors, and Christmas decorations are no exception. Read along to see how we teamed up with our favorites at FINE House & Garden and Etown Florist who recently decked the halls at some dreamy new homes just finished by three local builders: Brantingham Builders, Will Harris Homes and Smith Family Homes. These tips and tricks for holiday decorating from FINE House & Garden are the perfect inspiration to kick off the most wonderful time of the year. Festive photos by the fabulous Marnie Clagett of Clagett Photography.
Holidays can be very stressful with getting gifts, planning dinners, and visiting family and friends. Decorating your house or Christmas tree can be less stressful with the help of Elizabethtown Florist. Did you know they can customize any look, whether it be a new trend or a timeless family tradition? Elizabethtown Florist, with their skilled designers, will come to you with professional and creative solutions for all of your holiday needs. Contact them today to purchase a new Christmas tree, ornaments, swags and wreaths, or to schedule in-home decorating services.
Decorating with simple neutrals doesn’t have to be boring; there is always something unique and storied about the contrast between sleek whites and deep natural tones. This house mixes both, from hardware and fixtures to the added whimsy of our assortment of holiday trees and a kitchen island set for a holiday meal.
The open floor plan of this ranch home lends itself to easy holiday entertaining, and the scale of the custom built-ins are ideal for both large and small decor items. The substantial feel of the white kitchen countertops are grounded by neutral flooring and barstools (following page), which helped us keep the living area decor minimal while mixing in a custom tweed sofa. Etown Florist’s tree pulls on the home’s white and gold combination.
Brantingham Builders
for the Howell Family
For our team at FINE House & Garden, the holidays mark one of the most comforting times of the year. Surrounded by cozy sights, seasonal scents, and your favorite people means the ultimate chance to capitalize on your hosting skills. Whether it’s gathering an assortment for your built-ins or plating a full spread for 12, the best details take time—but this home makes it look easy.
Serving a full meal leaves little room for a large centerpiece, but our favorite iron candlesticks and a few mercury glass trees help keep the tablescape interesting without overdoing it. Most importantly, our customers tell us a bench is a necessity for easily entertaining large groups, especially when fitting little ones at the “adult’s table.”
These built-ins are a great example of functional architecture; the shelves are adjustable and provide the right flexibility for books, found objects, and even baskets for storage. The library-style map lights above each side illuminate your collection when a room full of lights is too much, and here they help accent the gold boxes we’ve positioned throughout. Combine some unique clay pieces or metal accents with meaningful book titles, and you’ve perfected the art of collection.
This room is finished off with a large metal mirror, heavy natural rug, and two of our custom, American-made swivel chairs in a textured grey-blue. Swivels are the quintessential great room option for the ever-popular “open floor plan.” In this case, they can face into the kitchen (off-camera), out the large back porch doors, or turn to the fireplace for an authentic winter evening.
Will Harris Homes
for the Galvin Family
From the straight-stacked backsplash to the right set of barware, this new home isn’t shy on details. The natural trees we brought in help complement the high-brow look of an all-black herringbone accent wall in the basement bar area, which provides the perfect stay-at-home holiday party venue.
In this oversized craftsman home, the rustic details of stone and wood elements (opposite) pair well with flax colorways and our hide ottoman. In the kitchen, custom-order bar stools with performance fabric seats mean you’re ready for entertaining every age, and a reclaimed wood serving plank echoes the pastoral look of the farmhouse sink. Deep red Christmas trees add color to the lighter kitchen hues, and the berries draw on the deep woods that surround the property.
In this home, we wanted to mirror the rustic patterns and colors of Etown Florist’s trees and decor by sticking with classic Christmas reds and greens. The vintage novelty look of a few well-placed Santa figurines and the pleasant surprise of Fraser fir-scented hand soaps mean every inch of this home is holiday-ready.
The eye-catching contrast of the white freestanding tub against a unique tile surround carries the natural look of the home into the master bath. We added some Christmas color by draping a throw over the tub’s edge, which makes for an easy grab to keep warm when getting ready. Sometimes simplicity is best.
Smith Family Homes
for the Moss Family
We hope you love the holiday inspiration we've shared as much as we do! If you're out and about this weekend, be sure to stop by FINE House & Garden. The event kicks off at 10:00 AM and will last through the weekend; hours available on the FINE Facebook and Instagram.
Follow us on social media and be looking out for upcoming magazines, party invites and lots of blog features: Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. If you're decorating for the holidays right now, we would love to see!! Give us all of the Christmas decor and stat. Please tag us in your Instagram posts or use the hashtag #elizabethtownlifestyle. We can't wait to see you're up to this season!
Cheers Elizabethtown!
