Who knew that the ancient Celts were such trendsetters? According to lore, they were the first to deck their halls with boughs of holly—a practice that sprouted from their belief that the evergreen served as a source of strength and protection during the bleak winter months and promoted good fortune in the new year. Over the centuries, Santa Claus and snowmen may have given the plant a run for its money, but its classic red-and-green complexion remains an icon in its own rite to this very day.
There is one Alabama abode, however, where Christmas joie de vivre seems to overflow despite the absence of vibrant red hues and secular symbols. From November through January, the old-world interiors of Kathryn and Doug Eckert’s Mountain Brook manse are stocked with artful arrangements of vegetables, fruit, berries, and nuts peppered with fresh florals, shed antlers, and foraged pinecones and feathers—nuances that celebrate an entire season of blessings and abundance as opposed to just one day. “I take a holistic and somewhat historic approach to decorating this time of year,” Kathryn says. “Instead of displaying lots of holiday-specific knickknacks and colors, I layer our everyday interiors with found and natural elements that evoke the spirit of the fall and winter seasons. I imagine that’s how it was done ages ago and, to me, that simplicity feels authentic.”
Such simplicity also feels relevant from Thanksgiving Day through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. For the past several years, Kathryn has called on decorator Mandi Smith T to compose enduring decor built atop hardy bases of grapevine, smilax vine, and silk greens finished with fresh cedar, pine, blue spruce, boxwood, and noble fir. These lush garlands and swags add enchantment to the European-inspired rooms anchored by fine French period antiques, some sourced by interior designer Mary Finch and others scored abroad by the homeowners during time spent in Brittany, Provence, and the Loire Valley. “Our goal was to complement the beauty that’s there—not compete with it,” Mandi says. “To achieve that, we gave careful consideration to every detail—the ribbon, linens, and tabletop accessories. Even the green shades in the greenery!”
“Instead of displaying lots of holiday-centric knickknacks and colors, I layer our everyday interiors with found and natural elements that evoke the spirit of the fall and winter seasons.”—Kathryn Eckert
Lamb’s-ear is woven into the mix for its silvery, leathery leaves and floppy posture; magnolia for its velvety, burnt orange underbelly; and juniper and seeded eucalyptus for their whimsical, almost-aqua-colored berries. “Given the interior’s cool palette, I welcome the chance to warm things up when the temperature drops,” says Kathryn. “Flowers in yellow, blush, coral, and rust mixed with metallic accents in copper, pewter, and gold are festive yet holiday-neutral, allowing me to edit and experiment with different looks as the seasons change.”
By Margaret Zainey Roux
Photography by Laurey Glenn
Don’t miss Mandi Smith T’s holiday decorating tips and tools!