Q&A: Samantha Pynn, decorator, stylist and host of HGTV’s Summer Home
With a reputation for being a won
derful hostess and guest, Samantha Pynn, decorator and DIYer extraordinaire, is just as talented with ecofriendly ideas for warming up a wintery home. Here, she shares her tips on making a big impact with little environmental footprint.
Q: What are some easy ways to make holiday decorating more environmentally friendly?
A: Don’t go crazy decorating — I believe in low effort with big results. I like to light some white candles, nestle magnolia leaves into a bowl of oranges and arrange five mini Christmas trees on the mantel or console. If you’re going to do a tree, consider using only one type of ornament. You can also hang a giant wreath made from your favourite greenery. Don’t decorate it, just hang it with a fourinch-wide (10-centimetre-wide) ribbon. (I also never throw away a scrap of ribbon because I reuse them for decorations.) I like decorating with things you can eat: a giant basket of chestnuts, pomegranates and holly in cylinder vases, clear vases filled with gold-foil-wrapped chocolates, peppermints, cookies. What can I say? Sweets are my weakness.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration?
A: I get my use-what-you-have attitude from my mom. One year she let my brother and I decorate the tree with our mini stuffed toys – she gave us a roll of gold ribbon and we went crazy!
Q: Entertaining can cause great anxiety. Any tips on taking the stress out of throwing a party?
A: Do as many things as you can in advance. Having all white dishes and clear glass makes it easy to dress for any occasion. I also have multiples of the same pitcher, cake plates, platters, vases, soup tureens and serving bowls so that everything looks unified. I don’t do sit-down dinners very often. Instead, I set out platters with lots of cocktail food. If you can’t deal with post-party cleanup, rent wine glasses and dishes to avoid paper plates and plastic cups. You don’t have to clean a dish and you keep a whole lot of garbage out of the landfill.
Q: What are your favourite earthfriendly gifts for the holidays?
A: Organic wine, fair-trade chocolate and flowers. Because I avoid wrapping paper, I also like mittens stuffed with wrapped cookies or chocolate, and mason jars filled with goodies.
Q: What are your thoughts on “recycling” presents?
A: Do you mean regifting? I think it’s okay to regift, but I don’t do it. My mother says that you dishonour the giver when you regift and that kind of wisdom freaks me out. If you mean recycled presents, I love second-hand vases with fresh floral
arrangements.