Global event designer Edward Perotti has managed over 2,000 events, including social galas, ornate weddings, corporate affairs and notable events in such places as the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, the Great Wall of China and the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul. We asked him for some ideas to help Freshome readers create the perfect winter wonderland at home this holiday season.
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With all the events Perotti designs around the globe, you would expect him to come home and just relax during the holidays. “However, it’s actually the opposite. A second wind always seems to kick in and I’m newly inspired to decorate at home.”
He’s passionate about decorating the home himself, without any help from his events team or even a florist. “It’s just me and my holiday elves – otherwise known as my family.”
Perotti brings his event design perspective to his personal decorations. “It needs to be a cohesive experience and convey an overall emotion,” he says. “Living in sunny California, our winter is far from frosty, but this year I’m creating our very own winter wonderland.”
Perotti is not a fan of decor that is overwhelming. “I don’t believe in decorations that hit you over the head with a theme. Instead, I like to create a mood and feelings with design moments,” he says. “The trick is to establish a flow from the front door to the mantel and continue it throughout the house. It all needs to tie together with a common thread and tell a story.”
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This is what Perotti’s doing this year to decorate his home’s exterior:
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Starting with the fireplace, Perotti explains the following:
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The tree is always updated on a regular basis. For the winter wonderland theme, this is what Perotti says he’ll be doing:
“Throughout the rest of the house, I’ll reinforce the theme with matching style vignettes. The entrance credenza, coffee table, and even the staircase landing will all be decked out in winter wonderland,” Perotti says. “The house will be filled with the coolness of ivory, crystal, and mercury glass along with the warmth of the faux fur and candles.”
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Perotti says the trick is to set the dining table once so it’s ready for entertaining and daily use. In this way, he says you don’t have to make any changes from the beginning of the holiday season to the end.
In keeping with the winter wonderland theme, he’s creating a runner of decor that is tonal by design.
“If you want to make the dinner a family-style, add a variety of white, metal, and clear glass cake pedestals,” Perotti says. “Put the platters of food on them and make your cuisine part of the decor.”
While he has provided tips for our readers, Perotti has this final piece of advice: “This is about your voice, your taste and your style, so use what I’m doing as your jumping-off point. Play with it, but make it your own.”
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