Step inside this Birmingham, Alabama, abode decked out in holiday elegance for its close-up on the cover of our November/December 2023 issue. Lavish florals and sparkling details accentuate the home’s dreamy palette of soft blues and creamy whites for an inspiring Christmastime look.
Terri and Gary Archer’s passion for entertaining reaches a spectacular peak ahead of December’s most wondrous day. Plans for décor, menus, and tabletops layered with exquisite keepsakes come together over months as the savvy hosts prepare to offer friends and family the gift of fellowship. “Having people over motivates me to make it special,” Terri says. “Gary is a really good cook, too, so it’s a hobby for us to enjoy together.”
Crisp white walls throughout the house set the backdrop for sleek pieces alongside prominent antiques, from French and English furnishings to a treasure trove of silver tableware. In the living room, nearly six thousand twinkling lights on the Christmas tree give the space a warm and inviting glow. Fresh flowers and evergreens sweep along the mantel for a lush accompaniment.
Terri’s collection of Gorham’s ornate Versailles sterling flatware brings Old-World charm to the dining room tabletop, where a luxuriant centerpiece of blush peonies, blue and white hydrangeas, and yellow stock plays off the chinoiserie wallpaper. Terri wrapped flowers in linen napkins secured with ribbon for the petite bouquets at each place setting.
The couple’s primary bedroom suite offers a restful escape from the holiday hustle and bustle. Bedside cachepots and a silver trumpet vase overflow with winter-white blooms like roses and lisianthus with plenty of fragrant greenery. Assorted wrapped gifts on a furry bench complement the room’s airy blue-and-white scheme, which is underscored by a large animal-print rug.
Knowing their efforts prompt fond remembrances is what inspires the Archers to entertain friends time and again. “It’s the biggest compliment when everyone comes over,” says Terri. “The energy is so good, and I think it’s just love.”
Styling by Donna Nichols and Terri Archer
Photography by John O’Hagan
Find the full “Resplendent Noel” story on pages 69–78 of our November/December 2023 issue.
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