This Festive Home is Like Living Inside the Prettiest Snow Globe

“I always use real wreaths,” says Rashell. “I just love the way they look and smell.” This boxwood one hangs on a simple ribbon, an ingenious display idea that keeps the front door’s finish (Vintage Pewter by Benjamin Moore) unscathed. The handsome brass horse-head door knockers are an intimation of the sparkly metallic accents to come.

The moment guests step into Rashell’s home, they’re surrounded by holiday cheer. “I like to extend holiday decor beyond the tree and living room,” she says. Here, layers of snowy white create a subtle wintry effect, while wrapped gifts and snow-covered faux greens are an overt nod to the season. The chandelier and carved wood settee are from Peridot.

While many make great efforts to hide the TV, Rashell keeps it front and centre in her elegant living room. “This is our main room for entertaining and we love watching old Christmas movies here during the holidays.” The tactile wool rug layers in luxurious warmth and depth.

This angle highlights the rug’s finish, which happens to speak to Rashell’s design aesthetic. “I love layers of different sand tones, creams and neutrals and I’m big on texture!” For the holidays, she augments these elements with metallic accessories and the whimsical snowflake trees under glass, all finds from Peridot. The abstract painting is from local artist Miriam Aroeste.

“This heart artwork wrapped in linen and framed in Lucite is one of my favourites,” says Rashell. From Peridot, these pics hang here year-round, but their sparkly gold hearts take on a magical holiday resonance when combined with the non-traditional Christmas tree.

The non-traditional tree is flocked for a snowy effect that’s both faux and festive. Mostly white and metallic ornaments keep the look seamless. The chair (one of a pair) has interesting provenance. “The frames are from Italy,” says Rashell. “I painted them Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore and added linen upholstery. These new elements give the vintage chairs a fresh, youthful vibe.”

Rashell believes holiday decor shouldn’t be a departure from the style of a home. While these cushions from Peridot are in place year-round, their bejeweled finish was part of the inspiration for her metallic holiday theme. “The cushions are all handmade and add such an impactful layer to the room, plus they’re unique and fun.”

Rashell’s tree is embellished with ornaments that are both beautiful and meaningful. She says, “I have collected them over time – I would never go out and buy boxes all at once. Most of them are passed down by family, and I’ve also added some in over the years from our travels.”

Rashell’s dining area proves that a cool white palette can be inviting and warm. The elemental flame effect of the sleek fireplace is continued in the organic wood tones of the table and bench, while flowers and greenery introduce a soft, natural element. More importantly, wouldn’t you love to take a seat and have holiday brunch here?

The bold gesture of the Muriel chandelier (from brand Oly Studio at Peridot) and its unexpected silhouette play nicely against the straight lines of the room and furniture. At this time of year, the bulbs recall festive elements like tree ornaments and snowballs.

Clear candlesticks feel sophisticated and, when accented with glittery leaves and golden placemats, give the neutral tablescape a dramatic ambiance. Rashell assures us the effect is even more beguiling when the candles are lit and lights are low.

“I adorned each place setting with inexpensive jewels I found at a vintage store,” says Rashell. “They make the table look special, and I like that guests can take something home with them as a gift.”

This is not prop styling! “I actually love to add a sprig of rosemary to champagne,” says Rashell. “It tastes good and it looks cute.” She also gives the bottle itself a holiday makeover with this fun fur embellishment from Pottery Barn.

“I love greenery and lots of it!” says Rashell. “I feel it brings the country lifestyle inside and makes the space smell so good. My husband and I scour our property for pretty greens that we can arrange inside.” The rustic appeal of this arrangement is sleekly countered by the sparkling silver and chrome accents.

Because Rashell adds a bit of holiday decor to each area of her open floor plan, the overall effect is cohesive and inviting. The furry throw on the dining bench references the hide rug in the adjacent kitchen space, where metallic accents and greens continue the holiday visuals.

The island is a holiday home base. “I do all of my food prepping here,” says Rashell. It’s also a powerhouse of design. “The grey striped Schumacher fabric on the stools is one of my favourites. I like mixing classic with edgy. For example, these oversized pendants paired with traditional preppy stools and a modern marble backsplash.”

The backsplash is on full display behind the Wolf range. “This is a slab of Calacatta marble. I love that it gives the kitchen a clean look because there is so much drama in my pendant lights.”

Christmas is all about food, and the kitchen island is ready to welcome hungry guests. “I love to serve a cheese board like this, along with oysters, truffle anything and a big beautiful charcuterie board. As well as wine, I serve Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon on ice.”

“I love this Christmas sign hanging over the mirror,” says Rashell. “I found it in a market in Kentucky where I have horses, so it is special to me.”

This mostly white space is enlivened with a bold mix of materials. “I’m all about mixing metals and creating layers,” says Rashell. “Pairing stainless-steel appliances with brass hardware softens the room and also gives it character.” Fresh flowers, a holiday essential in this house, await Rashell’s expert arranging skills.

At Christmas, Rashell places candles in these perforated white vessels. They softly illuminate the single white tree and framed photograph. “This is my horse and her first baby. My dear friend and photographer Avis Girdler took this when the baby was first born, just minutes old. I love surrounding myself with art that means something to me and my family.”

“I like to add holiday decor to the bedroom – it’s especially fun when you wake up to see it on Christmas morning,” says Rashell. Here, the festive golden accents are enhanced by a wintry blanket. “It’s king-size and I had it custom ordered through Peridot. I love the layer of warmth it gives the room.” The mirrored chandelier is from Made Goods.

“These bedside lamps are 50″ tall,” says Rashell. “Oversized lighting is my favourite thing to put in a home.” During the holidays, she complements their brass bases with similar-toned Christmas accents like this reindeer and tree. Cookies in bed are not reserved solely for the holidays.

“Our bedroom has an unobstructed view of mountains and forest so the large windows are dreamy. Up here, it feels like we live in a treehouse and I love laying in bed and looking out in the morning.” Every morning that is except Christmas morning, when Rashell and her husband can’t wait to head downstairs and let the festive celebrations begin.