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Holiday Color

Photos and story by Susan Laughlin

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Marlene Bennett, Casa Da Mar Inc.Interior Designer, Home Stager (604) 320-6897, www.casadamar.net David Pichard, Tsubaki Flowers 203 Central St., Hudson (603) 886-000, www.tsubakiflowers.com

Cathy Kert, principal in her own Nashua interior design firm, started this table dŽcor with a wreath for the Holiday House Tour in 2008.

Cathy Kert Interiors, Nashua (603) 595-6340, cathykertinteriors.com

Here, Lisa Dougherty of Soca Interior Design chose a copper and gold theme that picked up on the black background of the fabric in the room. For the 2008 Holiday House Tour, she put up two trees Ñ one on the porch and another near the breakfast table, decorating each with copper and gold nuts and acorns.

Lisa Dougherty, Soca Interior Design Studio Brady Sullivan Tower, 1750 Elm St., Ste.103 Manchester (603) 668 6377

More Photos

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It wasn’t all red and green when area designers tackled the friends of the nashua symphony’s holiday house tour 2008 — here are the details

Designer Marlene Bennett and florist David Picard created a classic but modern look for a 1902 home for the Holiday House Tour 2008 in Nashua. Taking a cue from the light green walls, rich draperies and dark cherry table, the team created a holiday theme using subtle greens, golds and bronze. Bennett says, “Keeping the same color theme throughout the house keeps a good flow and consistent look.”

Bennett used gold-rimmed china and stemware on the table, set off with antique chargers. She suggests that you can use everyday china because a nice charger will make the setting “pop.”

Picard created a centerpiece for the table with a variety of fresh greens and bronze flourishes. He added feathers, greens and gold and bronze ornaments to the newell post to complement the natural look.

To decorate the banister railing and the mantel, Bennett sewed two lengths of ribbon together and encased a string of mini-lights. (LED lights would be a good choice.) She attached the ribbon to the woodwork with glue dots that peel off cleanly.

Bennett also decorated the tree with strings of mini-lights that go from top to bottom, instead of around, by attaching the string to a key ring at the top. This technique also makes undecorating easier. Simple gold and bronze ornaments finished the look.

Marlene Bennett, Casa Da Mar Inc.Interior Designer, Home Stager
(603) 320-6897, www.casadamar.net

David Picard, Tsubaki Flowers
203 Central St., Hudson
(603) 886-0003, www.tsubakiflowers.com

Shades of Green
Cathy Kert, principal in her own Nashua interior design firm, started this table décor with a wreath for the Holiday House Tour in 2008. Upon the wreath she layered a variety of shades of green with a sea-mist color candle, lime green cattleya orchids and grass green ornaments. The placements complemented the greens with a variety of golds and more green. Chair backs were festooned with a broad ribbon and bow to complete the package.

Cathy Kert Interiors, Nashua
(603) 595-6340, cathykertinteriors.com

Copper and Gold
Lisa Dougherty, of Soca Interior Design says, “I think Christmas and the colors of your home need to complement each other and for many, the traditional reds and greens don’t always work.” Here, Lisa chose a copper and gold theme that picked up on the black background of the fabric in the room. For the 2008 Holiday House Tour, she put up two trees — one on the porch and another near the breakfast table, decorating each with copper and gold nuts and acorns. A huge acorn was nested on the porch tree.

In the living area, Lisa used imported hand-painted ornaments from Austria (above), each signed by the artist. Purchase these ornaments at Lisa’s Christmas Open House at her Studio on December 4 through 6, 10 a.m to 6 p.m each day.

Lisa Dougherty, Soca Interior Design Studio Brady Sullivan Tower, 1750 Elm St., Ste.103 Manchester
(603) 668 6377

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