It's essentially 6 weekends left until Christmas, but what better way to kick off the pre-holiday spirit with a new Christmas movie coming out this weekend.,
Love the Coopers starring Diane Keaton and John Goodman, Olivia Wilde, Ed Helms and more.
Given the role the Cooper home plays in the film, I wanted to showcase some of the Christmas interiors created by Oscar nominated production designer
Beth Rubino. Rubino worked with director Nancy Meyers to create the famous "Hamptons look" featured in
Something's Gotta Give and
It's Complicated, among others.
I was able to preview this movie a few weeks ago and speak with the award winning production designer Beth Rubino to get some of her insight and inspirations for the design and style of this Christmas home. Enjoy this homage to living inside this wintry snowglobe and some ideas I received from Rubino on applying some of her ideas to your own holiday decorating this year.
All of the sets were predicated on looking through glass, like you would through a snowglobe. The interiors had an abundace of windows to the wintry outdoors and gave the essence of as if were inside the snowglobe looking out. The interiors were muted embracing the beauty of winter which can be void with color, so when color is introduced it becomes that more vibrant.
Director, Jessie Nelson says her point of inspiration was the Netherland Renaissance painter Pieter Bruegel, The Elder. (Think, "
Hunters in the Snow a landscpape that's frozen and harsh but warmed by its human inhabitants.) The interior palettes being snowy blue of winter and gray blue on the walls, goes back to the snowglobe metaphor. Curious to know the gray Rubino used on the walls to embrace the beauty of winter? (Of note, she did say, slight variations had to be made for lighting purposes).
Remember, the Haus part of this blog?? I definitely thanked Rubino for showcasing some German Erzgebirge (in the window) which is from a special region in Germany known as "Christmas Country". All authorized crafts bear the official Erzgebirge handcraft symbol.
I read on the "Somethings Gotta Give" set, Rubino sprayed sunscreen to get the actors in the "Hampton's beach spirit" and so I was curious what she used to get people in the Christmas spirit on this set. There was actual food on the set since the movie is largely centered around Christmas Eve dinner. Food stylist, Melissa McSorley had amazing stuffing, pastries and other dishes out, the set naturally smelled like a Christmas dinner.
When Rubino met with director, Jessie Nelson she wanted the home to be where the family grew up in the house, having lived there 30+ years, completed some renovations to the house and had years of memories and collections. As shown above you can see the built in shelving showcasing the snowglobes.
I asked Rubino for tips for my readers on ways to showcase some of your treasured, nostalic items. I thought I would receive styling tips on how to arrage a collection, or arrangement tips, but her advice was something we all should remember not just during the holiday season, but other times in our lives. It doesn't have to be something trendy or well produced, but what you genuinely love.
"Use various pieces that you admire & adore. Make your displays where they can be seen and touched for the holidays, pull out a table for a display, use them as a centerpiece. Get back to the joy of decorating and let the experience of bringing out those items be part of the joy, taking out the items, unwrapping them from padding and displaying for all to enjoy."
Rubino went on to further say that, "Warmth comes across when create your own holiday and enjoy it and whether that comes along with a tradition (like making silly gingerbread houses or showcasing your snowgloes), or an anti-tradition. Friends and family make your physical environment."
A few great sources from Rubino for some nostalgic Christmas decor:
-Beautiful nostalgic houses and brush trees on the fireplace from
Cody Foster & Co
-German wooden centerpieces, pyramids and candleholders from
Käthe Wohlfahrt
You can't see in this photo but there are glass lamps that Rubino put pincones in. To the right you can branches with lights. I asked Rubino to give my readers some tips of ways to use some natural elements from your yard or repurpose items you may already own for a new holiday look. Rubino said, "Simple things really create a mood".
-Assorted glass vases filled with some of your favorite ornaments or vintage ornaments
-Use fresh pinecones & evergreens from outside, the scent of the pine is amazing.
-Try embracing the old days with your loved ones of making pinecone or popcorn garland
-If you are limited for space, use string lights in the shape of a tree on the wall.
Rubino said, "Diane Keaton's character was someone who took care of her home and had nice things." She chose the kitchen styling to show that while the family has probably been in this house 30+ years, the kitchen was updated about 5-7 years ago. Rubino chose the open shelving since Keaton's character loved collecting and the open shelves allowed her to showcase her beautiful items.
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