When preparing their Mountain Brook, Alabama, home for the holidays, Rob and Mary Beth Howland let their everyday home décor guide them. Tree ornaments complement the blue hues of the living room rug and play up the airy Mediterranean feel, while bright bouquets of white flowers top off the scene.
The breakfast nook is a hub of activity during the family’s holiday gatherings—from the Howlands’ annual Christmas party to fundraisers like the Independent Presbyterian Church Holiday House Tour. Brimming with blooms, three silver vases reflect the flickering flames of a roaring fire and the natural light that streams in from French doors.
Garland laced in silvery gray ribbon drapes across the kitchen’s pecky cypress hood and complements the painted cabinets. Hints of gold—from a gilded angel near the sink to bud vases lined along the counter—warm the space as notes of evergreen nod to the season at hand.
For the Howlands, the season peaks with two elegant dinners held in the formal dining room, where a silver-plated nativity perches amid magnolia leaves on the buffet and gold-trimmed accents punctuate the grand affairs. Each year, Rob’s extended family visits for a holiday dinner; on Christmas Eve, Rob and Mary Beth mark the occasion with their children and a special meal. The couple’s wedding china makes an annual appearance at their holiday dinner and treasured custom stemware from their tenth anniversary trip to Venice sparks cherished memories.
The master suite’s trimmings echo its elegant décor, including a bevy of lilies, a wreath at each window, and packages wrapped in coordinating cream and silver. Amid twinkling lights and shimmering bows, the garland on the mantel weaves together fresh pine and magnolia leaves.
Alabama’s mild winter climate draws the family outdoors for much of the season, where the pool house loggia is decked in lively lime. “We wanted an alternative to the typical Christmas reds,” Mary Beth says. The verdant scheme harmonizes with the natural surrounds, creating a cozy retreat for gathered loved ones.
Text by Mona Moore
Photography by Marcy Black Simpson
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