Anne Dickson’s Aspinwall and Sewickley locations house Fox and the Fleur, her splendid practice as a florist. Channeling her personal sensibilities as well as lessons learned during her career with Tommy Hilfiger and Dolce & Gabbana, the boutiques show her floral designs in a home-like setting alongside dinnerware and table linens; plants, pots and tools; books, candles, and lovely gifts. The lush and appealing mix feels like something you’d find on a photogenic little street in Europe rather than nestled into Pittsburgh’s suburbs. At its most bewitching during the holidays, there’s a magic in the layering of color, pattern, texture…and even the fragrances of flowers and the aromas of candles.
Deck the Halls with Three Design Experts’ Christmas Decorating Tips
“So much of Christmas is about magic,” says Anne. “I like to bring that enchantment to people in the way that I decorate. Everyone knows red and green, but seeing something unexpected, whether it’s through color, form, or design, can play into the magical, fantastical nature of the holiday.” She brought all of that enchantment and more to holiday décor at a Sewickley Heights home, creating a series of color-experiences to draw guests through the 1935 Georgian Revival-style house.
“I like to take into account a home’s architecture, furniture, artwork, colors, patterns and overall feel as I develop each unique design. In the living room of this home, we were inspired by the woven photograph over the fireplace mantle, pulling related colors and layering elements into the garland so that everything harmonizes and synchronizes,” she describes. “In the living room, we decorated an unexpected gold tinsel tree with specialty ribbon and ornaments, best seen through the dining room’s shadowy bookcases as a blast of festive cheerfulness.”
“So much of Christmas is about magic,” says Anne of Fox and Fleur.
The front hall’s brilliant red anemones were inspired by the client’s large red poppy watercolors by Carnegie-Mellon alumna Katharine Kuharic, with tall black glass trumpet vases adding a funky, retro vibe. The stair hall garland accentuates a chunky South African beaded light fixture and shaggy vintage Beni Ourain carpets from Morocco with oversized velvet bows and thickly layered embellishments.
Though this year’s holidays are yet even in full swing, Anne’s thoughts are already leaning into 2025. “I can see 2025 going either fully organic and natural for holiday…or total glitz and glamour. But, as always, it really comes down to what you love and what makes you happy. That never goes out of style!”
“I have always chosen color for the holidays.” – Amy Ilias, The Lavender Ghost
After two decades (the last one as executive vice president of art and design) at legendary New York City retailer ABC Carpet & Home, Amy Ilias completely transformed her daily life. Departing the constantly busy, always challenging life that frenetically unfolds behind the scenes at major stores, she started The Lavender Ghost, a vintage home accessories website that capitalizes on her evergreen love of well-loved objects and the stories they tell.
As if that change wasn’t quite enough change, Amy and her husband, painter Jim Denney, left Brooklyn for Hudson, NY, where they took up residence in a grand old wooden Victorian house in need of tender-loving care. One element that remained constant: their 22-year-old holiday tradition of decorating a tree branch, stripped of its leaves by Jack Frost and brought alive with graceful arcs of colored lights and carefully selected ornaments. Says Amy of the yellow and pink fairy lights shown here, “I have always chosen color for the holidays. I love and appreciate white lights, but I was never that person.”
Daily Joy and Tranquility from Christmas Decorating – But Don’t Let It Go On Too Long
The branch, or sometimes branches, remain in place for about three weeks. “It is definitely a quick timeline. The year always ends for us with a big splash of food, friends, and parties, and the house mirrors that. By January 1, though, I want tranquility and everything comes down on the 2nd.” This abbreviated timeframe is both a vestige of times gone by, and a reflection of the now. “For so many years the holidays started for me in July with photoshoots, catalogs, marketing, buying. It was a huge focus for half of my year,” Amy recalls. By the time January 2 came along she was quite done. These days, even with holidays that she describes as “cozy and slow, surrounded by people we love” when they’re over, they’re over!
“My approach to the holidays is for all the creative last-minuters out there!” – Leanne Ford
When you consider all that Leanne Ford has accomplished (two successful HGTV series, collections of dinnerware and furniture for Crate & Barrel, a host of articles in national magazines, and much more besides), it’s a surprise when she refers to herself as “Lazy Lee.” We’ve hardly met anyone anywhere ever who’s less lazy.
However, because she embraces breezy simplicity in both style matters and life choices, the Lazy Lee metaphor suits Leanne, particularly during the holidays. The holiday dinner we share here took place in the Ford guest house, which Leanne and family cleared of furniture to make room for a vintage table big enough to seat the extended clan. Leanne, whose Christmas chores center on “ambiance, décor, and wine-pouring,” began this tableau with green boughs cut from her own yard. Their fresh fragrance and deliciously dark greens ground everything in a soothing palette.
Merry and Bright, Even With Light Colors
“Even at holiday time I love a muted color story,” Leanne attests. “So, we went with natural greenery and played with the tones of multiple woods living together, rusty chairs and berries do their job to bring in some holiday tones. My brother Steve and I made wood ‘garland’ from scraps from his wood shop.” Steve also made the cutting boards. The tablecloth is a painter’s drop cloth that took a spin in the washing machine. The dinnerware is from the collection Leanne designed for Crate & Barrel.
Leanne’s relaxed approach is consistent, from the table setting all the way to the gift wrap. “I am a kraft-paper girl. I always have a big roll handy, and in true designer form, I like my gifts to coordinate with the décor.”
But let’s not confuse consistency with complication, she warns, praising the virtues of using what is at hand, adding some foraged and scavenged elements, putting some favorite vinyl on the turntable, and helping Mom finish and serve the meal. “This is a Lazy Lee approach for all the creative last-minuters out there who want to create a special feeling in their space for all their friends and family but don’t want to spend too much time or money doing it.”
Story by Keith Recker / Photography by Dave Bryce, Matthew Johnson, and Erin Kelly
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