Holiday sparkle sublime

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care in Kelley McNamara’s house, just like in the classic story The Night Before Christmas. Except at Kelley’s, the stockings are snow white and fringed with feathers—not exactly the utilitarian hose you imagine on the mantel in the traditional tale.

In fact, at first shimmering glance, there doesn’t seem to be much ‘traditional’ at all in Kelley’s decorating style. She describes her chic, mostly white everyday decor as eclectic. “The truth is, I just can’t commit to one style. I love a mix of classic yet glamorous elements—it’s my version of Country.” And during the holidays, she ups the ante on glamour. “I spread a lot of glitter, especially at Christmas,” says Kelley. “It looks like a winter wonderland inside.”

But this glam girl, who’s a busy wife, mom of two small children and co-owner of South Surrey’s Stella Bleu decorating boutique has both a romantic and a nostalgic side, too. “I have tons of old mercury glass and antique or vintage ornaments that I love to mix with reproductions and some new pieces,” states Kelley, adding that her Christmas look is “sweetly vintage-inspired.”

Inspired is the word—from the ornately wrapped sparkly silver presents that Kelley props around the house to the jaw-dropping seven-foot pre-lit white aspen that dazzles passersby from the front window. Kelley doesn’t do diminutive holiday decor. Still, her big, bold approach to the festive season isn’t over-the-top. “Because the decorations are as showy as they are, you don’t need as many,” she says. “Too much takes away from the elegance. When every little surface has a special touch, that’s when I know it’s enough.”

She’s also careful to warm the white palette with luxurious textures like fur, velvet and shag, and add rich colours, like the luscious chocolate brown slipper chairs in the front room and the fabulous, unexpected brown Christmas balls on the towering white tree.