4 minute read
Pretty as a Present
Floral designer Lisa Bailey takes each room from everyday elegant to fabulously festive with décor grounded in fresh flowers and greenery. Here’s how she decked the halls of this Mountain Brook abode to make home sweet home even sweeter.
Lisa Bailey
designer and owner of Lisa Bailey Designs. She started her career working behind the scenes at Time Inc. For 10 years, she helped create the iconic Southern Living Christmas covers before catalogs such as Summer Classics and Ballard practically any type of event, including weddings, baby showers, birthday parties, and, of course, Christmas parties in and around Birmingham. During the holidays, when she’s not decorating her clients’ homes, Lisa is likely to be found in the and Anna—all with hot chocolate in hand and comfortable in pajamas—as they continue the annual tradition of checking out Christmas lights around the city.
LISA’S DECORATING TIPS
Help greenery last longer
by keeping temperatures in the house a little cooler—heat dries them out more quickly. If possible, use a mister to lightly spray them daily.
Instead of stapling or pinning
The wire prevents holes and allows you to reuse your ribbon each year.
When hanging fresh garland,
it’s ok to cut it. Don’t feel like you must use one long piece. In fact, when draping garland around a door, Lisa actually prefers to cut it to ensure that it hangs correctly. “And if you cut it too short, don’t panic,” she adds. “Simply
Lisa Bailey Designs • 205.821.4128 lisapowellbailey@aol.com
A unique social, sensory and shopping sensation.
Artisan imported oils, hand-crafted balsamics, gourmet smallbatch mustard, classes and tastings, foodie gifts and more! M O UN TAI N B RO O K
261 Rele St - Lane Parke Mountain Brook, AL 35223 p: (205) 703-9003
— Lisa Bailey
DOUBLE UP. e living room mantel (page 20) features multiple strands of cedar and Frasier r garland for a lush look. To create even more texture, Lisa added eucalyptus strands and then wove magnolia garland and gold satin ribbon along the top and sides. Clusters of silver balls and sugar pine cones nish the look.
HOLIDAY MIX. A white-and-green arrangement on the co ee table (page 20) includes both cut and planted owers, such as amaryllis, tulips, hydrangeas, roses, and eucalyptus. Bare branches add texture and draw the eye up while also providing support to the amaryllis.
WINTER WONDERLAND. Lisa created an enchanting, wintry scene on the entry table (left) using a collection of wooden and bottle brush trees, along with candles and a sprinkling of faux snow. Pine cones and greenery ll a large bowl underneath. Evergreen wreaths hang on the doors, and
sugar pine cones are tied to mirrored sconces. “ e wreaths and pine cones are graced with knotted gold velvet ribbon,” Lisa says. “I’m not a great bow maker, so I often like to go with the simplicity of a little knot.”
MAKE A STATEMENT. Lisa likes to work with containers that enhance her designs. A sculptural gold vessel (below) cradles a red poinsettia nestled into reindeer moss and enhanced with white amaryllis, paperwhites, and ilex berries.
HIGHLIGHT INTERIORS. e study (left) showcases leather chairs and wood-paneled walls, so Lisa opted for rich golds and warm hues to complement the masculine tones. A garland gracing the carved limestone mantel consists of cedar; eucalyptus leaves and pods; glittered branches; sugar pine cones; and faux, decorative game birds that nod to the husband’s love of hunting. Magnolia leaves show both sides—shiny green tops and caramel-brown undersides. Green velvet ribbon drapes from a corner for a showy nish. A deer mount is set o with a wreath of cedar, Frasier r twigs, and pine cones. An arrangement of Parrot tulips enhances the cozy scene.
ENTRY POINT. Lisa repeated materials inside and out for elegance and consistency. Garlands of cedar and magnolia frame the entry (page 20), while swags of sugar pine cones and satin gold ribbon adorn gas lanterns.
2402 Montevallo Road | Birmingham, Alabama 35223 TABLE-MATTERS.COM
