“The back stairwell leading to the mudroom is one of the first areas you see when entering from the garage,” says Leonard. “So we felt it deserved some holiday cheer.” She draped the banister with garlands of greenery, powder-blue pampas grass and winter berries. Parcels in SB Paperie’s gift wrap await delivery.
“The dining room felt like the perfect spot for a secondary tree,” says Leonard. Adorned with twinkling lights, gilded eucalyptus and blue pampas grass, the simple yet elegant embellishments sparkle against Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray walls and draperies in Sanderson’s Protea flower Catherinae Embroidery. Overhead, the swirled glass globes of Visual Comfort’s Talia chandelier cast a soft glow.
In the dining room, the custom Huston & Company table is layered with blue-and-white transferware, woven cranberry-colored placemats, gold chargers and linen napkins tucked with sprigs of berries tied with blue velvet ribbon. Gold-tone vases were selected and arranged with seasonal flowers by Courtney Paré and interspersed with candlesticks, gleaming bristle trees and pomegranates.
A cozy spot by a roaring fire in the living room is the perfect venue for opening presents. The fireplace surround, sourced from Academy Marble, is topped with fresh garland, red eucalyptus branches and berries, lending a bright contrast to the dark stone. The tree is trimmed out with gold ribbon and red and white glass globes. Laden with gifts, a custom ottoman by Classic Upholstery is fashioned in a Kravet fabric. Built-in bookcases in Benjamin Moore’s Newburyport Blue are lit with picture lights from Visual Comfort.
The holiday magic continues in the kitchen. The homeowners host both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for their large, out-of-town family, so the kitchen is a busy prep and gathering place. Anchoring the room is a walnut- stained island by Sterling Custom Cabinetry. Atop the stone countertop from Academy Marble, ceramic vessels are grouped and filled with evergreen boughs, dried flowers and amaryllis. Flanking the island, a Lee Industries counter stool in Fabricut’s Meher fabric gets a holiday nod with a classic tartan throw.
A wreath was accessorized with fresh eucalyptus, brunia, thistle and paper ornaments.
After moving into their newly built New Canaan home—designed by Hatley Homes Design and constructed by Ruddy Builders—this family of four was eager to update their holiday décor to complement the home’s sophisticated interiors. Designer Fiona Leonard oversaw the custom furnishings, bespoke details and nuanced color palette of the residence and was called upon once again—this time to work her magic to deck the halls for the upcoming festivities. “The family always goes big for the holidays—think oversized skeletons for Halloween,” Leonard shares. “But this holiday season, they wanted something more elevated and classic that would relate seamlessly with their new interiors.”
Working with their “comfort colors” of blue, white and gray, Leonard introduced shades of red, cranberry and burgundy, layered with fragrant greenery, natural grasses, berries and velvet ribbon for textural interest. “The crimson and blue notes add festive elements without being too cute or expected,” she says. Harmonizing with the home’s carefully considered interiors, she crafted a welcoming backdrop for the family to celebrate and create new traditions. “Starting fresh in this new home,” says Leonard, “gave us an opportunity to set the tone for holiday decorating for years to come.”