Decorating For Winter

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Christmas has a peculiar relationship with winter. Its wintry December, but more than that its the holiday season. And as the trees become bare and the cloudy skies and chilling temperatures roll in, most of us dont notice it because of the lights and decorations, brightness and cheer of the holidays.

Then comes January 1st, the lights come down and we suddenly look around at how gray and somber everything is, how short the days are, how the lights all seem to have gone out.

Its part of the Seasonal Affective Syndrome SAD, says interior decorator Jason Jennings, an apt description for peoples moods this time of year.

So Jennings, who spends a good portion of the months of October and November putting up clients Christmas presentations, then turns around in January and decorates for winter. He takes down the things that scream Christmas like Santas and elves but keeps those snowflakes and icicles that remain appropriate through January and February.

His client Susan has an affinity for nature year-round, loving the big windows and broad views in her Indian Hills Estate home. She has filled the space with a neutral palette that is brightened up with natures colors, like grass green and sky blue.

Mostly, she wants to bring the outside in, and Jennings has done that, year-round, with bright, reflective surfaces that are also perfect winter choices. Shiny metal, mirrored finishes and glass bounce the sunlight around the house.

Some of that comes from the Christmas baubles that remain in the house after the Santas, stockings and sparkly reindeer are put away. He doesnt put the trees away in Susans house, though. The ribbons and angels are taken down, but the small white lights remain to sparkle up the greenery.

I love the tree standing in the living room with its white lights, Susan says. It was a Christmas tree, its a winter tree. It brings the outside in. Its light, its nature.

The snowflakes, garlands and stars that lit up the tree in December stay up all winter, too, because whats more wintry than a snowflake? Jennings asks. There are snowflakes and stars hanging from chandeliers, and garlands placed in bowls and dishes. The garlands lend that wintry evergreen mood to the house.

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Decorating For Winter