Podcast Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode: Holiday Decorating | Our Unfiltered Opinions
Release Date: November 7, 2024
Hosts: Alice Lane, Corey Bennett, Susan Hall
Recorded: November 7, 2024

Introduction to the Holiday Episode

In this special holiday edition of Dear Alice, hosts Alice Lane, Corey Bennett, and Susan Hall dive into the festive season with enthusiasm and expert insights. They kick off the episode by announcing their annual holiday party held at the Alice Lane showroom, where they unveil their first holiday decor looks. Corey shares her excitement about unveiling new holiday themes that have been in development since the previous holiday season.

[00:22] Corey: "We have a really fun episode for you today. We like to do this about once a year."

Holiday Decorating Themes

The hosts elaborate on the different themes they will showcase during their holiday party:

1. Christmas Morning: A bright and joyful setup reminiscent of a traditional Christmas breakfast, featuring a happy tree adorned with party brights to create a lively atmosphere.

2. Night Before Christmas: A dreamy bedroom setting inspired by the classic holiday poem, evoking a serene and magical evening ambiance.

3. Winter House Look: Drawing inspiration from Aaron Lauder's Aspen home, this theme presents a chic winter aesthetic with elegant, understated decorations.

[01:01] Corey: "We've been brewing on these looks since I think we first saw a holiday in. It's always Q1 where you have to make these decisions of what you're going to bring to market."

Identifying the First Signs of the Holiday Season

The conversation shifts to identifying the initial indicators that the holiday season has arrived. Susan highlights the impact of Christmas music as her first cue, initiating from November 1st. Alice adds that for them in Utah, the onset of snowfall and dropping temperatures also signals the beginning of the festive season.

[02:11] Alice: "I would say the music for me... it invokes feelings and... I love that."

[05:13] Alice: "We usually get a live tree. I've left my tree with lights on it out. Just taken off the ornaments or left on the icicles or just kept it really, really lightweight just because I miss the glow."

Listener Questions: Holiday Decorating Tips

The core of the episode revolves around answering listener-submitted questions about holiday decorating. The hosts address various topics, offering practical advice and creative ideas to elevate holiday decor.

1. How Do You Feel About Naked Trees?

Naked trees, which feature only lights for a minimalist look, receive a positive response. The hosts appreciate the elegance of warm white LED lights and share their experiences incorporating live trees with unique decorative elements like glass icicles and silver pinecones.

[08:38] Susan: "How do you feel about naked trees? As in lights, only for a simple but elegant look."

[08:45] Corey: "I think it's just so classic, especially when they don't use those LED bulbs that are just, like, blue and look like an alien lives there, but, like, really getting the warm white bulb."

2. What Are Your Tree Toppers This Year?

Alice expresses her ongoing search for the perfect tree topper, emphasizing the importance of quality and aesthetic harmony with the tree. Corey introduces their own line of origami-inspired, folded white paper star toppers available in their showroom.

[12:57] Susan: "What's going on the top of your trees this year?"

[14:04] Corey: "One of the things we got is a tree topper, and it looks like origami, and it's just white and folded paper."

3. Exterior Lighting: Standard White or Themed?

The hosts advocate for traditional white lights over novelty shapes like jellyfish, citing timeless elegance and versatility. They share anecdotes about unique lighting choices seen in celebrity homes, such as Kim Kardashian's Scandinavian-inspired forest of fresh trees with white lights.

[15:26] Susan: "Is that like the bright white?"

[15:35] Corey: "Yes to white lights on the exterior now."

4. Styling a Tree with Eclectic Ornaments

Susan seeks advice on balancing eclectic ornaments without creating a mismatched appearance. The hosts recommend establishing a foundational layer of coordinated ornaments before layering in eclectic pieces. They emphasize the importance of mixing vintage and antique ornaments to add depth and character to the tree.

[20:21] Susan: "How to style a tree with eclectic ornaments and not be so matchy matchy. So what? Yeah. Is there a formula behind this?"

[21:17] Corey: "We did pearls last year for the tree, which when I think of elegant, I'm just like, oh, classic, right? Just like Audrey Hepburn black dress, straight astrana pearls."

5. Incorporating Family Mementos into Christmas Decor

Alice and Susan discuss integrating personal and family memorabilia into holiday decor to enhance sentimental value. They suggest placing family-made ornaments, photos, and handcrafted items as the final decorative layer to maintain a cohesive yet personal aesthetic.

[26:45] Susan: "How to incorporate family mementos into Christmas decor."

[27:10] Alice: "We have ornaments that Tom made that his mom gave me. And it's just like pictures of Tom, like when he was little with a paper mache like wreath around it or something."

6. Best Ideas to Stock the Gift Drawer for Surprise Needed Gifts (Ranges: $5-$15 and $30-$50)

The hosts offer gift stocking ideas suitable for various budgets:

• $5-$15 Range:
  • Candles: High-quality candles like Lola James Harper, renowned for their luxurious scents.
  • Crystal Candle Dishes: Elegant trays paired with candles add a sophisticated touch.
  • Amber Oil Perfumes: Affordable and universally appreciated fragrances available at stores like Ulta or Amazon.

[32:43] Alice: "I love this idea and I love that she's prepared enough to, like, have a stock drawer."

• $30-$50 Range:
  • Cozy Blankets and Pajama Sets: While the hosts initially promoted Cozy Earth products, they emphasized the importance of comfort and luxury in holiday gifting.

Note: Product promotions were present in the transcript but are omitted here to maintain focus on content as per user instructions.

7. Toddler-Proof Whimsy in Kids' Bedrooms

Addressing Susan’s question, the hosts recommend subtle and interactive decorations for children's bedrooms. Ideas include small faux trees with lights, Elf on the Shelf activities, and displaying kids' artwork to foster excitement and engagement without overwhelming the space.

[35:26] Susan: "Any idea ideas for toddler proof whimsy in kids bedrooms?"

[35:40] Alice: "It's a little faux tree to put on like their dresser... It's really fun to, like, have them, like, draw Christmas trees or color an ornament or they come always come home with, like, stuff from school."

8. Tips on Keeping Decor Elegant and Not Kitschy

The final listener question focuses on maintaining elegance in holiday decorating. The hosts advise:

• Embrace Classic Elements: Incorporate timeless decorations like pearls, metallics, and mercury glass to add sophistication.
• Avoid Over-themes: Steer clear of overly themed decorations that can appear kitschy and trend-dependent.
• Less is More: Select a few key decorative elements and repeat them to create a cohesive and mature look.

[36:59] Corey: "How to keep it elegant and not kitschy."

[38:00] Alice: "Don't be too themy."

[38:45] Corey: "Those repetition, it makes it so that it doesn't feel random. You know what I mean? It just is continuous around the tree."

Creating a Harmonious Holiday Space

Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize the balance between personal expression and timeless elegance in holiday decor. They encourage listeners to blend their unique styles with classic elements to create inviting and aesthetically pleasing environments.

[40:29] Alice: "Less is more in that, but just by more of the less."

Conclusion and Invitation

Wrapping up the episode, Corey invites listeners to join their holiday party at the Draper showroom and explore their curated holiday collections available online. The hosts express their gratitude to the listeners and eagerly anticipate sharing their festive creations.

[40:43] Corey: "If you're local, you're invited and we'd love to see you at our holiday party tonight in our Draper showroom. And if you aren't local,... come browse the holiday collection online."

Notable Quotes:

• Corey: "It just is fun. Just the whole retail side of things. Just even going in the grocery store and seeing the holiday candy and you start Seeing it pop up here and there." [04:05]

• Susan: "How do you feel about naked trees? As in lights, only for a simple but elegant look." [08:38]

• Alice: "Don't be too themy." [39:52]

This episode of Dear Alice serves as an invaluable guide for homeowners looking to enhance their holiday decor with a blend of classic charm and personal flair. Whether you're a minimalist or a maximalist, the hosts provide thoughtful insights to help you create a festive and elegant holiday environment.