Promptly starting the day after Thanksgiving, we begin transforming the Village Center into, well, a holiday oasis. Decorations include two dozen Christmas trees, scattered throughout - in buildings, in gardens, and in the Village green. Garlands go on the road signs and pillars of the Fearrington House Restaurant, the Garden House, and Dovecote. Greenery wreaths go up on doors around the Village, and mantles are decorated.
Guiding the overall design is Mary Stevens, Fearrington’s floral designer. She says, “We really keep things very traditional: evergreen wreaths, long needle pine garlands, and the like. Most of the trees are decorated with very understated and classic ornaments - mostly crystal and silver. Mantles have mixed evergreen garlands, mercury glass lanterns, ornaments, and so on. “
Not to miss is the Christmas tree at The Fearrington Granary, which Mary notes “has fun vintage style ornaments and a garland that we made of red grosgrain ribbon that we hand-stitched vintage buttons onto.”
Five Christmas trees in the center island serve as a backdrop to the three topiary belties harnessed to the green cartful of gifts and little trees. Just like live belties, our topiary belties suffer the effects of aging too, as they must be restuffed and replanted each year.
Decorating for the holidays is one of those activities that brings out employees from across the company. Construction workers collect the trees from an expert grower in the mountains; the gardeners install and put white lights on them; and the floral designers decorate them. It’s a true team effort.
The decorating is complete; please come out and take a look. They’ll come down right after the New Year. The elegant, timeless look of the holiday decorations here is sure to rekindle your enthusiasm for this special time of year!