Once you learn about this spot in Dave’s home, you’re going to want to create one for yourself!
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During the holidays, Dave designates this work space as a cookie station, and his family comes together to bake delicious treats. When the new year begins, they don’t forget about the cookie station; rather, they transform it into a cocoa bar. Dave says it’s the perfect place for everyone to warm up after a day spent in the chilly winter air. As the temperature rises and the seasons change, the work station changes again, becoming the go-to spot for sweet tea and other seasonal favorites. When summer turns into fall, Dave trades his sweet tea for cider and donuts.
“It’s just another way to make the seasons ... well, cozy,” he says.
“I usually start decorating for Christmas on November 1.” he says. “Some might say that’s crazy, but it’s a lot of décor to put up and style for such a short-lived month. I like to enjoy it just a bit longer. Also, since creating our Instagram account (@ourhomeonhighst), I like to share inspiration with friends and followers prior to the season. That way, they have enough time to gather all the things they’ll need to create a magical season for their loved ones too.”
Because Dave and Greg decorate their home together, they work according to their strengths.
“I’m more the idea and brains behind the space, and Greg is the muscle and helps with execution,” Dave notes. “I could never get it all done alone. He likes to do the exterior decorating; I focus on the indoors and the small details. We call ourselves a ‘dynamic duo.’”
PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
For Dave and Greg, the Christmas season wouldn’t be the same without a few special traditions.
“We love to ride the horse-and-buggies around Bethlehem, Pennsylvania—the ‘Christmas City,’” Dave says. “It’s so fun to look at alGl OthINe G sm G aR ll Es Eh No. pT sh deef ca km edi ly oruo tow mi th ali sg ah ltwsaynsd ha alld the arc hi te cs to um ree cs oh va ed red of ing sr ne eonw..“TF hoer re th’ sisal rs eon ad ic to io mn,foIrw te int a bit lighter, because I enjoy Farrow & Ball's looking through the windows to watch people shopping or ‘Caulk Green,’” Trenna says. Everything in this eating with their families.” room is painted the same color, including the windows and trim. It gives a very English look.
When they’re at home, Dave and Greg love to bake cookies and watch Christmas movies. “’Home Alone’ is our favorite— hands down! We look forward to it every year,” Dave says. (And, after they laugh at Macaulay Culkin’s antics, they gear up for another “timeless” film, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”)
Although Dave and Greg enjoy their quality time together, they always open their home to their loved ones.
“When I think about the holidays, I think of gatherings with family and friends and how special they are, as well as all the memories that are made,” Dave says. “For me, decorating for the holidays is a reflection of that, and it truly makes those gatherings magical.”
NOT YET! Although Dave’s gingerbread house looks amazing, he says it was tricky to put together. “I don’t have the patience to wait for the icing to dry,” he jokes. “I want to decorate it right away, because I need the instant gratification!”
|TOP, RIGHT| NOSTALGIC DÉCOR. Dave loves to use ice skates as Christmas décor because they’re easy to stage and still look great after the holidays end. “I used to skate with friends every weekend in high school and enjoyed it,” he says. “I really want to skate under the tree in New
York City (at Rockefeller Center). We might have to add that to the bucket list this year!”
|TOP, LEFT| CONSISTENCY IS KEY. Dave stages his home with neutral décor year-round. “I personally feel that I can use neutrals in different spaces at any given moment, and they'll always feel fresh and new,” he explains. Occasionally, he’ll mix things up by layering in a pop of color.
|BOTTOM, LEFT| A SWEET TIME. Dave and his grandmother created a special memory when they decorated these gingerbread cookies together.
|BOTTOM, RIGHT| TIDY UP. Dave says the most challenging part about decorating for the holidays is “taking down all the décor at the end of season and storing it away in an organized fashion.”
|TOP, RIGHT| SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW. “I always use my favorite pieces from my collections to decorate for the holidays,” Dave says. “However, I also love hunting down or searching for ‘new’ vintage pieces to add to my collections throughout the year. I always discover the best finds out of season.”
|TOP, LEFT| AGELESS ACCENTS. Dave cherishes his vintage treasures and always uses them to decorate for the holidays. “I love the patina of vintage goods, as well as trying to figure out their story. There’s just a comfort in knowing those pieces were well-loved,” he says.
|BOTTOM, LEFT| CUTE & COZY. When Dave created his gallery wall, he used some of his staple pieces: the rusty angel, skis and little whisk brooms. “Then, I layered in all the perfect, little cozy touches,” Dave says. “It always amazes me how you can use the same Christmas décor year after year—but always make it feel fresh and new!”
SIMPLE & SOPHISTICATED. Dave likes to keep his Christmas décor minimal. Otherwise, “it can become overwhelming and feel like clutter,” he says. The green-and-white color palette creates a peaceful atmosphere, while the pillows, blankets and baskets add texture and variety to the bedroom.
|TOP| TIME AFTER TIME. Blogger Liz Marie Galvan inspired Dave to collect clocks. “Via her blog, Liz had shared them styled all throughout her home, and I fell in love with the look,” Dave shares. “I love them because, in today's day and age, people resort to their cellphones to see the time or use them as their alarm clocks. Clocks will be one of the things that will fade out over time and be a thing of the past ... that I get to hold onto. ‘Big Ben’ clocks, especially, have my heart!” he says.
|BOTTOM| MY FAVORITE THINGS. Dave loves antiquing, collecting, DIY-ing and curating his home. By sharing his décor with his social media followers, he has “created a community and built relationships with people all over the world who share the same love and passion.”