Light Up The Season

Pamela Harvey

December 12, 2017

This year I had the honor of participating in the 2017 'Light Up The Season' benefit hosted at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown. The event and generosity of its' Christmas tree bidders support children's cancer programs at the Children's National Hospital. I teamed up with my friend and talented designer, Christopher Nutter, for such a vital cause.

Each designer was paired with a child from the hospital to bring their Christmas dreams to fruition. We were blessed to meet the sweetest 9-year-old girl. After spending time with her, we found out she wished Christmas to feel like a winter wonderland, which is why we chose a flocked tree. Her favorite colors are pink and turquoise and she was partial to a traditional tree.

Christopher and I gathered ornaments from multiple stores to give our tree a curated look as though it had evolved over time. Keeping the color palette and design aesthetic in mind we collected ornaments and ribbon from Merrifield Garden Center, online, CB2, and World market. We filled in with simple solid glass ornaments from Walmart. A faux fur white tree skirt and pretty but simple wrapped boxes glistened at the bottom. Designing an entire tree from scratch is very much like decorating an empty room. You need a great color palette, a mix of old and new, and a cross between higher-end pieces filled in with a few bargains. And who doesn’t love a tree topped with a crown!? 

The hottest trends in Christmas tree decor adorned the hotel. In addition to our flocked tree below are a few of my favorites...

On the scene were brilliant shades of blue and silver, especially with a coastal vibe. It's no surprise blue prevailed in the tree decor space given that every shade of blue was so relevant in home decor this past year.

A chic and neutral tree spruced up with burlap and natural ornaments keep things classic and timeless this holiday season -not to mention kid and family friendly.

A pastel palette is not what typically comes to mind with seasonal decor, but this wreath would have you doing a double take. Pale pinks make for an enchanting and sophisticated backdrop.

Whatever dashing trend you and yours take on this season it's sure to be spectacular. For added inspiration visit the Four Seasons Georgetown through December 20th to see all of the designers' holiday charm on display.

If you wish to make a donation to the Children's National Hospital, click here.

photo credit: Jessica Yurinko