Handmade holidays

“Watch your step!” isn’t the most typical holiday greeting, but at this house – home to Sandra and Brandon Raines and their two young daughters, Olivia and Sienna – the phrase has become synonymous with Christmas. “It all began two years ago, with this idea of using natural and handmade elements to celebrate the holidays,” says Angela Robinson, the designer who decorated the home in collaboration with her colleague, Jamie Deck. “Instead of a tree skirt, we use beautiful glossy chestnuts and walnuts to surround the trunk of the Christmas tree. It looks great, but we never quite remember what happens,” she says.

Meaningful seal
“Personalize your holiday in any way you can,” says Angela of the wax seal that was used for homeowners Sandra and Brandon Raines’ wedding invitations – now used to seal gift tags and embellish Christmas card envelopes.