My first trip to New York City was in December of 1971. I remember standing on Park Avenue looking up
at the skyscrapers and being enthralled by everything around me. It was also the holiday season, and like
anyone who has ever visited New York at this time, you might agree that no city
does Christmas decorations better than New York. One especially memorable event that weekend
was the Christmas Spectacular show at Radio City. The high-kicking Rockettes were dazzling. But when the live camels walked on stage
during the Nativity scene, my eyes about popped out of my head. That did it!
I was in love with New York!!! And the rest, as they say, is history. Many years later I finally created a
longed-for part-time life amongst those tall brightly lit buildings.
During a recent visit, many decorations were already on
view. The energy of the city always gets
my creative juices flowing. Walking
along the streets and gazing at some of my favorite Christmas traditions
in New York, I tried to imagine how you might adapt them to your home this
holiday season.
The gigantic tree at Rockefeller Center. Despite its grandeur, it starts out with lots
of bare spaces. They camouflage them
with tons of very large decorations.
There is always a spot on any tree that needs some filling. Take your largest trimmings - or make some
from clusters of ornaments or floral bouquets – and place them back amongst the
branches, close to the trunk.
The Swarovski crystal snowflake over the intersection of
Fifth Avenue and 57th Street.
To create the same lustrous effect, dangle lots of small
crystals and glittery beaded snowflakes from your dining room or foyer
chandelier. With the light of candles
from below, or a small spotlight from the top of a nearby cabinet, you will
have your own sparkling display.
The big red bow and ribbon that wraps Cartier’s store
front. Try using large bows to
accent your windows, doors and shutters outside. Inside, place a large red bow at the top of
your tree and let streamers cascade down the sides to the bottom.
The first floor at Sak’s Fifth Avenue. It is a winter wonderland - an arbor of frosted greenery, white
branches and white lights. Decorate your
mantels, mirrors and stairway with clusters of white spray-painted branches,
twined with greenery and battery-operated miniature lights.
The table settings at Tiffany’s, Bergdorf’s and Sak’s. The overwhelming trend everywhere was white,
crystal, silver and gold. Pull out all
your candlesticks, bowls and cake plates.
The more sizes, shapes and heights are all the better to create interest. Use white linens and placemats of varying
shapes, layering them on the diagonal.
Intersperse metallic gold and silver ornaments in the containers.
The store windows.
From the time I was a little
girl, when my Mother would take my sisters and I downtown to look at the
holiday displays, pressing my nose to the glass has always been a highlight of
the Christmas season. Nothing has
changed and I am awestruck every year by the windows at Bergdorf Goodman. The 13-foot high glass cases are a fantasyland. I had a chance to meet David Hoey, their head
designer, and thanked him for his ever-spectacular, over-the-top
creations. Working a year in advance,
with a seemingly limitless budget and ability to comb the world for baubles, it
would be impossible to recreate these on a home basis. An example from last year: A mannequin stood before an assortment of
spiral staircases, ranging in scale from dollhouse to penthouse, winding in and
out of tiny dioramas. Mr. Hoey
admitted, “It was the most complex window in the history of window
display.” But what inspires me – and we
should all try to emulate - is their vibrant style, scale and a definite
fearless, “right to the edge” personality.
From the sublime to the ridiculous, walk a few blocks over to Barneys,
where the theme is usually a humorous, satirical or even caustic take on
celebrities, politics or pop culture.
Last year’s windows featured the 35 years of “Saturday Night Live.” Lord and Taylor’s sequence of windows
showcase a story line set in historical times.
The animated dolls are costumed in period dress and the interiors are
beautifully decorated miniature recreations of historical homes and buildings.
The Waterford Crystal Ball in Times Square. Although it was fun to experience watching the
ball drop in this world famous crossroads one New Year’s Eve, I prefer spending
the evening with close friends and family, watching the mayhem on
television. But to add a little sparkle
to the evening, indulge in a bottle of great champagne, served in crystal
flutes. Light lots of candles and enjoy
the last moments of the holidays.
My toast is for a very blessed Christmas and a healthy,
prosperous New Year for you and all your loved ones!
