by Lydia Somerville | Photography by Karen Sachar
The houses best suited to the decorations of Christmas lie at the extremes of the design spectrum. Either they emit a warm and cozy vibe from details such as paneled walls, intricate tapestries, and roaring fireplaces, or, like this house in the Museum District of Houston, they are minimalistic, providing a blank canvas for the display of holiday trappings. The simple symmetrical windows and lofty rooms of this Mediterranean-style house offer even more decorating options both inside and out.
Houston interior designer Renea Abbott created the home as temporary quarters for a family after their permanent house burned down seven years ago, coincidentally during the holidays. “It’s nothing at all like their primary residence,” says Abbott. “That was much more formal with mohair upholstery and rich-hued rugs. This house is all linen and sisal.” The designer, who launched Shabby Slips in 1991, has been a groundbreaking force in the Houston design scene, helping shape the look of casual, comfortably dressed furniture with fine art that epitomizes Houston style. This home presents a prime example of her talents.
White walls serve as a backdrop for the family’s museum-quality artwork and Abbott’s neutral interiors. “We didn’t set out to use primarily white,” says the designer, “but as we walked through the rooms, with their large windows and beautiful views, we realized the home lent itself to an all-white treatment. We used varying textures like leather, linen, and cotton velvet to make it more interesting.” As a result, what may seem to be a strict lack of color is actually a rich play of surfaces and framed views of the landscape.
“I ENJOY WORKING WITH THE CLIENTS AND WITH RENEA TO COME UP WITH EACH YEAR’S COLOR SCHEME.”
—JOHNATHAN ANDREW SAGE
Floral designer Johnathan Andrew Sage, who has decorated the home for several holiday seasons, seeks to enhance the interior design with the same principles of texture and a subtle palette that Abbott espouses. “I enjoy working with the clients and with Renea to come up with each year’s color scheme,” says Sage. “This year we used platinum and gold.” Satin ribbons in those hues unify the floral design with the interiors, echoing metallic accents in the house, as well as the glass balls in various finishes that blanket the Christmas tree. Wreaths display the subtle textures of tallow berries and pinecones, which also appear on the tree.
In the main living area, Sage embellishes the museum-quality artwork with simple garland. He treats an elaborate gilt frame over the mantel as an ornament, using it as a centerpiece for a trio of wreaths and a lush garland. Because most of the rooms are dominated by white upholstery and pale rugs, Sage keeps his floral accents in the same palette, using miniature firs and white ranunculus, tulips, and narcissus. In the bar area, however, he changes the scheme up a bit by arranging a cluster of Gloriosa lilies. He explains that their splashy red color works well with the deeper hues of this intimate gathering space. The result is a look of festive sophistication that flows throughout the home thanks to the cooperative approach to furnishings and floral design that Abbott and Sage have taken together.
