56 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com or Rubbermaid tubs. “Storage is extremely important. For us, planning next year’s Christmas starts in January right after the holiday ends. So, we pack it all away correctly and neatly for next year. And we label everything.” Realtor and chairman of the Architectural Review Board in historic Georgetown, Kevin Jayroe, fondly remembers growing up on Benvenue Plantation in Plantersville, South Carolina, where his family lived since 1932. There, he said, his grandmother was her own personal decorator who created magical vignettes throughout the house during the holidays. It was from her that he learned to draw holiday design inspiration from nature. “I love decorating with fresh greens from magnolias and cedar trees, as well as sticks and branches to create a restrained elegance,” Jayroe said. “And after the holidays, these are easy to dispose of and don’t require storage.” Jayroe, who now lives in a historic home built in 1739, also suggested that to make rooms glow like a jewel box, “Pull out all the good stuff — the crystal, silver, China and linens — and use them!” For extra festive flair, he recommends creating layers with surprise elements such as adding red tapers to a pair of polished bronze candlesticks; taking a friend’s old wedding dress and bunching it up around the base of his Christmas tree as the skirt; or draping garland over an antique grandfather clock to enhance an entry hall. For Jayroe, the holidays are about more than decorating, they’re all about entertaining with a joyous mood of comfortable elegance, incorporating the sounds of Christmas with subtle music or a classic movie like “White Christmas” playing in the background, as well as the smells of the season. This holiday season, borrow these tips and tricks to free up time, space and energy, while creating all the memories that will last a lifetime. holiday spirit
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1