North Bay Woman

14 NORTH BAY WOMAN | F A L L 2 0 1 6 arranged in large vases," Godsey says. She adds candles, nestled (safely) in sprigs of greenery to give the room a warm glow. "I also like to make groupings of accessories, flowers and candles to add warmth and richness during the holidays," she explains. "And I always bring out the Simon Pearce champagne flutes to toast the season with style." To dress a living room in sophistication, she adds "silvery mercury glass accents for sparkle and layer velvet pillows and cashmere throws for a lush feeling. And, if you have any silver trays that you keep tucked away all year, this is the time to bring them out and display them." For an informal style, she'd "arrange vases of paper whites and potted orchids and hang simple green wreaths, with pinecones tucked in, over mirrors." A mantel of warmth "As the winter months approach, I like to think of how I can bring a little bit of warmth inside the home," reveals Mary St. Pierre, an interior designer with Sunrise Home in San Rafael. "Candles in carefully selected places can be just enough to create that warmth and light," she says, adding that color can convey the sense of warmth, too. "It's a great solution for those who don't want to maintain candles in their homes and any of the autumn or red tones would be a good choice." Mantels tend to be a place where they celebrate moments in their lives in family photos. "So I continue in that spirit with the mantle as a focal point for many homes during the end of the year festivities. A little bit of sparkle or candles brings vitality into one's home." If she wants to achieve a complex look, she mixes natural elements such as moss covered spheres and birchwood bowls with microlights tucked into the foliage that fill the space between the spheres and bowls. "It almost looks as if the microlights are fireflies," St. Pierre says. For a simpler mantel, she might place boat shaped bowls in pewter, filled with "just a few fresh sprigs of whatever you have in the garden on it," she says. A variety of heights and texture is particularly important for mantels. "Pillar candles, foliage, spheres, candles or bowls will keep the eye interested," she says. Tabletopping When it comes to a home's horizontal surfaces such as a tabletop, countertop or shelf, Jessica Sprouls, general manager of Pottery Barn in Mill Valley, looks to the past. "I like to think about my favorite holidays and that's why I love traditional holiday trim and decorations," she says. "I love to evoke a familiar, welcoming and comfortable vibe." >> Con't on pg. 58 Above: Sunrise Home creates a mantel focal point with a variety of heights and textures, foliage and candles, bringing added vitality and warmth to a home. – Photo provided by Sunrise Home Pottery Barn's golden Christmas trees and bronze candles add that holiday glow. – Photos provided by Pottery Barn 209 Western Avenue, Petaluma • (707) 778-8277 www.PetalumaGalleryOne.com Give the Gift that Lasts Forever…. One of a Kind Gifts, handcrafted in America, for your home, office and fashion needs. Fused Glass By Chris Paulson

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