HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

A traditional English high tea inspires the festive decor in a Tudor-style Vancouver home of a family with British roots.

A traditional English high tea inspires the festive decor in a Tudor-style Vancouver home.

“From the minute

I saw the gorgeous front door flanked with greenery, I could envision this home sparkling at Christmas,” says Kelly Gibson, a holiday decorating expert. The modern Tudor – rich in architectural details, including pocket doors, gracious millwork and conservatory-style windows – is decidedly English. And that’s hardly a coincidence. Its owners, Andie and Michael Skene, both have connections across the pond. “I am originally from Essex,” says Andie, and Michael studied in England. So, imagine their delight when Kelly suggested that the decorating theme would be “Holiday High Tea.”

Not surprisingly, the theme dictated that the family table would be a centrepiece in the holiday home. To make it a showstopper, Kelly suspended a host of shimmering orbs and whisper-soft feathers in the light-filled space. “It took four hours for me and three other people – all of us teetering on top of the table – to toss those ornaments, which are suspended on fishing line, over the cross beams so we could tie them in place,” laughs Kelly. The table itself was regally set with towering displays of the prettiest baked goods, and an array of fine china and dazzling crystal.

Elsewhere in the home, Kelly ushered forth the scents of the season, her arms loaded with cedar boughs and fir trees. Garlands and wreaths were hung, and the living room’s flocked tree adorned with velvet petals and shiny berries. Missing nothing, Kelly topped a tumbling abundance of simply wrapped gifts adorned with graceful bows. In the entryway, she set lights a-twinkling to create a quiet, natural and sparkly first impression. Before long, every room had assumed a tenor that was truly rich in tradition. “But not just any holiday tradition – a Skene family tradition to share with their two teenage sons,” says Kelly. “Because there is only one rule for Christmas decorating: be yourself and use what you love to bring warmth and joy to your family.”

“Being indulged by all these pretty touches of pinks and peaches and whites was wonderful.” – Andie Skene

“It can be tempting to decorate your chandelier or ceiling pendants, but when you decorate the entire ceiling, the whole room becomes a dazzling centrepiece.” – Kelly Gibson

“I grew up in England with my mum, and we always had a special Christmas breakfast. It’s a tradition we’ve continued with her here in Vancouver.” – Andie Skene

“When choosing decorations, think back to what Christmas was like through your eyes as a child. I chose this little red pickup truck because it reminded me of going to choose a tree when I was little.” – Kelly Gibson

Leaded-glass pocket doors open onto Michael Skene’s reading room. The mantel, reclaimed from an old farmhouse in Wales, is draped with greens, twinkly lights and a few baubles. “Keeping the decorations to a minimum adds festivity while letting this wonderful antique piece shine,” says decorator Kelly Gibson.

A scaled-down fir tree brings a holiday mood to the reading room. “Small masculine touches, such as black plaid and gold ribbon on the gifts, define Michael’s room as his own,” says Kelly. BUILDER, Nadeau Developments. GARLAND GREENERY, TREE, The Flower Factory. DECANTER AND GLASSWARE, Atkinson’s.

BELOW Deck the stairs in boughs of cedar. Kelly’s tip? “Fir boughs tend to drop their needles. Cedar lasts longer and looks equally classic.” Silk bows are tied at random intervals along its length. “This gives the garland a more relaxed vibe than when they’re spaced too carefully,” says Kelly.

GREENS, RIBBON, The Flower Factory. ABOVE Announcing Christmas in the entryway is a grand evergreen wreath styled from natural branches and adorned with a silk bow. Faux-birch trees draped in burlap light the way. “For an entryway, always create a first impression that’s radiant,” says Kelly.

BLOSSOMS, United Flowers, Inc. RIGHT, TOP & BOTTOM “There’s a secret to this tree. I made it taller!” says Kelly, who placed the tree on a milk crate draped with a faux-fur throw for a snowy finish. “If you really want your gifts to pop, set them on a white tree skirt and wrap them with coloured ribbons.” Bonus tip: use wired ribbon. “It bends easily, keeps its shape, and can be used year after year.” Kelly also advises looking beyond holiday ornaments. She used large faux blooms with soft velvet-like petals. “The best part is you only need about six or eight of them to complete an entire tree,” she says. Tiny sparkly beads at the centre of the flower lend a little glam, as do clusters of silver and gold berries.

GLASS TREE, Pottery Barn. ABOVE Kelly placed a stylized glass tree in the pretty pink powder room. Says Kelly: “Often, adding a single ornament to a small space is all it takes to make a room look special.”

FLOCKED TREE, Hunters Garden Centre. MINI TREES ON MANTEL, The Cross. The sitting room’s crowning glory is a flocked fir tree dressed in feminine pastels. “I am a mum of two boys, so ours is a predominantly male household,” says Andie, who appreciated the soft pink and peach palette. Kelly paired the room’s marble and wool with soft velvets and shiny metallics. “Decorate to celebrate, not to match your decor,” Kelly says.

CAKE, A. Elizabeth Cakes. HANGING ORNAMENTS, Canadian Tire. TABLE LINENS, Atkinson’s. LEFT “This is my little piece of England,” says Andie, referring to the chorus of windows and skylights that give the dining area a conservatory effect. To make the most of the space and create a setting that would befit high tea, Kelly suspended shimmering spheres (naturally lit from above) and feathers from the cross beams. “It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. The fishing line is nearly invisible so everything looks like it’s floating in mid-air,” says Kelly.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, The Flower Factory. ABOVE White roses combine with cottonwood, spruce berries, rosemary and fresh greens to create a display that’s as pretty as an English garden.

RIGHT & BELOW For Christmas cheer, there’s champagne – pink, of course, to complement the home’s pink-and-gold holiday loveliness. Fine woven linens are slipped though jingle-bell inspired napkin rings. The flatware and china feature elements of gold, worthy of an English high tea.

DISHWARE, GLASSWARE, FLATWARE, TABLE LINENS, Atkinson’s. BELOW, RIGHT To delight the eye, delicate baked goods are presented on tiered serving plates. Crown-shaped cookies are a playful nod to the high tea theme. Meringues and macarons in pastel tones are a sweet take on the home’s holiday palette.

RED TRUCK, Bed Bath and Beyond. RIGHT For one of the boys’ rooms, Kelly took her cues from the shiplap walls and built-in bunks. “Just a few traditional touches, such as a toy truck, Christmas stocking and Christmas pillow, can take a room from everyday to holiday,” says Kelly.

WREATHS, The Flower Factory. OPPOSITE “Christmas seems to bring a sense of calm,” says Kelly. “In a master bedroom, make the most of this by keeping decorations to a minimum.” Here, a wreath duo punctuates the window, and a faux fur throw beckons at bedtime. The rose velvet pillows and the gold-toned wallpaper are there year-round, but work perfectly with Kelly’s holiday palette. FOR SOURCES, SEE OUR WORKBOOK