Elegant elements transform this home into a Christmas Wonderland.
Story by Judy Spaar / Photos courtesy of INSPO by KHL Design Studio
The holiday season is a favorite, one steeped in tradition for Cathy Sukaromya. “My mom absolutely loved Christmas and went all out decorating our home each year. It was the only time of year our house was fully adorned, and her creativity and joy made the season feel truly magical,” Cathy reminisced. “Those decorations, and the memories they created, are a big part of why the holiday remains so special to me.”
Wanting her home to be just as special to her family and friends, she reached out to Kelly Lankford, friend and owner of INSPO by KHL Design Studio, back in 2023. Each year since, Kelly and her team of Sydney Rickel and Liz Miller reimagine each space with storied pieces she loves and new ones to make the cheerful designs even more inviting. The team begins decorating in late October, ensuring the home is dressed in its finery by Thanksgiving, allowing the home to be enveloped in the holiday spirit for the entire season.
“Kelly’s ability to blend my collected pieces with her creative eye has made our holiday decor feel more meaningful and elevated each year. Each season now feels like a celebration of our family’s story,” Cathy reflected.
“She is a big entertainer, so we embellish and design from the entry through the dining room, living room, and kitchen,” Kelly explained. “The homeowner’s theme features silver and gold, and we are adding chocolate brown tones and a burgundy accent to complement that.”
Upon entering the home, the festively wrapped stair railings welcome one to a winter wonderland. The new white carpeting bathes the stairs in elegance, enhancing the holiday feel.
Four festive Christmas trees fill the home, each with its own personality. “We are strategic in what we put in each tree throughout the house, using a lot of texture, more velvet with the ornaments, glitter, matte, creating different layers,” Kelly shared.
The stunning focal point is the large festive Christmas tree adorned in strings of eye-catching silver and gold glass teardrops, reflecting the sparkling tree lights. The understated drama continues with oversized ornaments, creating a truly magical tree. An abundance of holiday-wrapped packages find a home on the shelves surrounding the fireplace, creating a point of contrast. Shimmering gold stars appear to tumble across the mantle, adding to the allure. “This will be visually enhancing, and more like the whole wall is decorated, not just the mantle,” Kelly noted.
“I love falling asleep to the soft, warm glow of a Christmas tree!” Cathy smiled. “I especially like the ‘family’ tree between our family room and kitchen…it is filled with ornaments our kids made! And the tree outside our sons’ bedroom.”
With an elegant, yet festive feel, the dining room offers the perfect spot to participate in a holiday feast. Plated with gold chargers, Christmas dinnerware invites guests to sit down and enjoy the holiday experience. At the center of the table, a cloche encases a small Christmas tree with miniature holiday figurines. Created by the homeowner’s mom, it holds cherished memories while creating new ones.
Not to be outdone, the kitchen table presents another winter scene. Greenery, pinecones, ornaments, and sparkling ribbon are woven about the triangular brass trees, creating a modern tabletop display. Small wreaths hang on the backs of the counter chairs, adding yet another bit of cheer.
“My favorite part of the decorations is the warm glow of the lights at night. I keep them on all day, but in the evening they’re truly mesmerizing. I also love that so many pieces carry memories, turning the decor into a walk down memory lane for our family each year. Kelly ties everything together with just the right mix of shimmer, texture, and whimsy, making the whole space feel polished, personal, and magical,” smiled Cathy.
The depth and personality of this home is a sight to behold, filled with the holiday magic for the entire family.
Resources
- Designer: INSPO by KHL Design Studio
- Main Stair Carpet: Prosource
