Deck the Halls - Holiday Design

By Poki Hampton

Living in a historic home is no easy feat! Mary and Kevin Gardner purchased the Dr. Auguste Ferrier House, c. 1849, on the Mandeville Lakefront a few years ago, undertaking renovations to modernize the house before moving in. Floors and lighting were updated, and the marble kitchen floor was replaced with wide plank pine, more fitting for a house of this age. “We wanted to be good stewards of this house, and we feel an obligation to reinforce that,” says Mary.

Living in a historic home is no easy feat! Mary and Kevin Gardner purchased the Dr. Auguste Ferrier House, c. 1849, on the Mandeville Lakefront a few years ago, undertaking renovations to modernize the house before moving in. Floors and lighting were updated, and the marble kitchen floor was replaced with wide plank pine, more fitting for a house of this age. “We wanted to be good stewards of this house, and we feel an obligation to reinforce that,” says Mary.

Once renovations were complete, Mary enlisted the holiday decorating services of Stephanie Ferrante and Robin Orvin for the upcoming holidays. Working in a subtle palette of silken peacock and limelight verde, weaving the colors throughout the house, the duo decorated each room with an unexpected pop of color.

The front fence and gate were adorned with green garland and pinecones embellished with light blue and gold ribbon, red wired ribbon, bows, and ornaments in traditional red. The front porch began the tradition of a decorated tree in each room. The lighted tree featured double silver, gold, sheer sage green, and chambray glitter ribbon. Wreaths added magnolia leaves and red bows, while the centerpiece on the farm table was made from garland, magnolia leaves, and assorted ribbons.

In the dining room, the walnut sideboard was topped with a French cameo mirror. White ceramic glittered trees and vintage hurricane lamps were threaded with silver bead garland and white fairy lights. The tree was festooned with limelight verde magnolia blossoms, pearlized gold, peach and rose metallic ornaments, along with light blue velvet ribbon and foil ferns.

The fireplace mantle in the living room was filled with frosted pine boughs, frosted gold and white pinecones, and silver and champagne magnolia blooms. Gold glittered and sequined pinecones, gold berries, and foil ferns were interwoven with champagne striped glittered ribbon.

During renovations, Kevin had a glass and matte gold wine wall built to showcase his collection. The stunning structure was flanked by a white chest topped with a charming canvas of Santa. Hemlock garland with light blue unwired ribbon, white silk magnolias with gold and white ornaments, and soft green velvet leaves decorated the top. Another contemporary white console was topped with the owners’ brushed gold lamps and artwork. Longleaf pine garland, sage velvet leaves along with silk-textured magnolia blossoms, fairy lights, and red cherry berries accentuated the top.

Large gold tassels, foxtail ferns, and light navy and chambray striped ribbon filled the sunroom tree. Eucalyptus leaves, copper Masquerade fern, Egyptian wheat, and pearlized and matte green ornaments completed the look.

The guest bath featured a small, frosted Frasier fir tree with simple twinkle lights. Over the oval mirror was a garland of hemlock, red berries, and tiny pinecones.

Early insurance maps revealed the property originally had six unattached dependencies (out buildings). Only one remains today, serving as a guest/pool house decorated in simple fir garland. The original wood floors from the house were used as updated flooring here, creating a cozy guest suite.

“We love living here. Gracie and the two of us are enjoying the unique lifestyle of the lakefront through every season.”