The Pear Tree

There was Christmas bling for her and Bing (as in Crosby) for him when Martin Lofts on 700 Martin Avenue in Kelowna opened up two decorated apartments for the Rotary Centre for the Arts’ annual Homes for the Holidays fundraising tour.

Tammy Cunningham, from Centre Stage Interior Decorating, and her design team of Vicki Merrill (Edgecombe Builders), Shelley Koehler (Distinct Expressions) and Debra Csuka (Centre Stage Interior Decorating) transformed the contemporary, upscale lofts, by Edgecombe Builders, into two retro 1930s pads.

Using furnishings and accessories from Urban Barn, Sears, Design Centre, Zellers and Pier 1, they introduced Christmas influenced glitz and glamour, old Hollywood style, into the rooms on show.

The Pear Tree took a pre-tour tour of the homes, with camera in tow, to collect some ideas for Christmas decorating this year. Here are some of our favourites, first from the home made for “Her,” and then the one styled for “Him:”

Hers

Glamour in the 1930s called for décor that was sleek and shimmery, often with simple lines and patterns – as seen in this modern take on the Art Deco age.

Oh Christmas Tree? Cunningham replaced the traditional Christmas tree on the ladies’ side with a tree-shaped stack of shiny, silver-wrapped presents, decorated with purple baubles and a white, feather boa.

A coffee table centrepiece of festive glass balls.

White-dipped pinecones take the place of candles on these ornate candleholders, set up on a kitchen counter top beside two large crystals.

Clear glass canisters line the kitchen countertop with white and silver balls instead of the standard flour, sugar and coffee, carrying the Christmas theme through into the cooking space, as well.

Silver and white balls mixed with glittery tinsel make up a wreath adorning the wall near the front door.

The master bedroom, upstairs, mixes winter white with Christmas berry tones. The headboard sports fun tree decorations.

Not just for trees anymore, decorations permeated all the rooms on show, including the bathroom. One can imagine luxuriating in the tub below the bubble-like balls.

Canisters in the bathroom could be filled with bath beads and soaps, or, in keeping with the theme of the season, colourful ornaments.

His

A more masculine side to the ‘30s theme includes dark furnishings with red accents for a jazzy look for Christmas.

The colour scheme is simple – dark green tree, white and silver accessories with just a few splashes of red.

A stocking hung by the fireplace, dressed up with beaded snowflakes.

Silver candlesticks are transformed into pedestals for these lush red Christmas balls with black velvet vines.

The dining area is set for a party of four continuing the theme of dark, white and red.

An elegant ball sits in the centre of each of three nesting tables that take the place of a traditional coffee table in the living room.

Cocktails anyone? This set has a definite retro look that fits right in to the bachelor ambiance of this loft apartment.

Faux frosty berries are entwined around the handrail leading upstairs. At the top of the stairs hangs a black and white print of Marilyn Monroe, a 1950s icon.

The master bedroom brings subtle hints of the season into play.

- Story and photos by Lori-Anne Poirier

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