Home for the Holidays

Elegant Decor and Celebrations to Remember

Story and photography courtesy of Mark Weaver and Wade Weissmann

When it comes to holiday decor, there are many ways to celebrate the season. Going all out might feel like fun, but remember that there is such thing as too much Christmas (sorry, Clark Griswold). Keeping your home looking festive and bright without leaning toward tacky is a sure way to impress guests and feel cozy and warm this holiday season.

Wade Weissmann’s cabin in northern Wisconsin, dubbed the Architect’s Retreat, was converted from an old fishing camp into a cozy compound that’s perfect for a holiday getaway.

If anyone understands classic luxury, whether by land, by sea, or coast to coast, it’s Mark Weaver of Mark Weaver & Associates and Wade Weissmann of Wade Weissmann Architecture. Their high-end design and architecture firms have collaborated on a number of projects this season, bringing together Weaver’s seamless integration of the old with the new and Weissmann’s attention to craftsmanship and design detail.

This stylish duo has offered some tips for how to spruce up your holiday decor and celebrate safely this year!

Dine alfresco.

Set a gorgeous table on your deck, patio, or porch with flowers and candles. Put on your favorite festive music. If an in-person gathering is not possible, invite family and friends to join your table virtually. You can use a heater or a firepit if the weather is cold—just be sure to use best safety practices.

Travel where you can.

A trip is always a wonderful way to enjoy the holidays. Maybe it means driving to a destination and staying at an Airbnb to enjoy the snow with your family. Perhaps this year it means going on a virtual tour of the Louvre or a local tour of your favorite towns all decked out for Christmas. Whichever way you choose, experiencing another place will surely put you in the holiday spirit.

Choose a signature holiday scent.

Scent is a great and easy way to suffuse your home with the feeling of the holidays. We love boughs of pine and the scent of cedar. The decor and smells should reflect the celebration of family, winter, nature, and holiday treats.

Keep decor elegant and tasteful.

It is important to create an environment that speaks to the joy of the holidays without being cliché. We like to use a lot of white with hints of red and green. There is nothing worse than feeling like you are being banged over the head with holiday decor.

Keeping holiday decor subtle and elegant not only minimizes the risk of overwhelming guests but also lets the rest of your home and your personality shine through.

Bring the outdoors in.

Always look to nature for inspiration. The colors of the season are not flashy, but subtle and rich, like dark greens and blues with small pops of red. In contrast, set those rich tones against a lot of white and it’s magical!

Incorporate awesome ribbon in your decor.

Woven materials, plaids, tapestry prints, seasonal patterns like holly, or native-inspired designs can add so much festivity and richness to any table or mantle.

Keeping holiday decor subtle and elegant not only minimizes the risk of overwhelming guests but also lets the rest of your home and your personality shine through.

Do something special, even with social distancing.

Drive through your neighborhood’s version of Christmas Tree Lane and see the light displays. Throw a socially distanced holiday block party or invite friends to come out and have eggnog and celebrate some holiday cheer on your rooftop or in your outdoor living space. See a classic holiday movie at a drive-in theater or rent a projector and screen a movie outside in your own backyard.

No matter if you’re heading home for the holidays or enjoying a smaller celebration with immediate family and close friends, remember that all it takes is a little cheer to make it a great season. Decorate and celebrate from the heart, and you can’t go wrong!

Visit MarkWeaver.com and WadeWeissmannArchitecture.com to see more work from these two celebrated designers. Happy holidays!