By Megan Venable
Photography by Ben Finch, Finch Photo
Christmas decorating at the Davis home is serious business. Homeowner Whitney Davis, along with designer Ashley Jones, owner of Ashley Elizabeth’s Interior Design, begin on November 1st annually so that the family has plenty of holiday time to enjoy the décor. Four trees need trimming in addition to all the other trappings the season brings forth, and that takes much time and thought to get everything in place and just right. The home’s beautiful backdrop, from the sofas and draperies to the curated artwork throughout, was designed by Anne Anderson of Anne Anderson Home. Anne’s timeless interiors provide the perfect canvas for Ashley’s layered holiday decor.
This holiday season is especially poignant as Whitney’s oldest son, Price, is off to college at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Price and his brother Hayes are represented in one of the four trees in the kitchen with all the family Christmas cards featured on its branches along with the brothers’ photos over the years with Santa Claus. “These images capture the boys from the time they were two months old until now,” describes Whitney. The family especially enjoys
reminiscing about past holiday memories over shared meals during the season. “We love to reflect on the season and the meaning of the season,” Whitney says. “We especially enjoy having family and friends together this time of year.”
Additionally, Whitney and husband Todd will be celebrating their silver anniversary this year. Another one of the trees pays homage to this milestone as the tree in the dining room boasts Waterford ornaments that Whitney’s mother gifts her each year as an anniversary token. The family’s two French bulldogs, Thunder and Henry, are permitted to be in the dining room with the tree, but Whitney promises that they are “good doggos” with the fragile ornaments nearby.
The living room hosts the family tree with ornaments collected over the years from travel and childhood. The addition of many acrylic birds and reindeer created by Nashville artist Lauren Dunn give this tree a “whimsical and fun” look in addition to showcasing their familial history. The nativity set used during the holiday season is also designed by Lauren Dunn.
Lastly, the sitting room tree features purchased ornaments from local boutiques such as Roost and Dandy Lions Gifts. Ashley encourages the use of lots of color, playing off the established palette of the room, designed by Anne Anderson and enhancing the tree with pops of pinks, blues, greens and reds. “We’ve been collecting ornaments from vacations and milestones such as baby’s first Christmas to graduation,” Whitney says. “We add new ornaments annually, but this tree will never be finished. I love adding to this every year - it means we continue to add special memories.” In addition to Price and Hayes’s ornaments, the tree also features ornaments given by Whitney and Todd’s parents when they were children themselves.
Whitney and Ashley work together on putting out all the holiday decoration since it takes the two of them a couple of days. Ashley says what needs to be done and oversees all the bow-tying, and she will change things up periodically as well as providing the designer’s touch. Whitney is on her own when taking it down after the New Year, however. “It’s not as fun to take it down,” she laughs. “But we always seem to accumulate a little more every year.”
Whitney says her favorite decoration of the season is the kitchen tree featuring her family. “It shows all the stages of our lives together,” she says. “Christmas is absolutely my favorite season.”