December 2008

The red walls with elegant white trim offer a picturesque backdrop for a holiday feast. Candlelight, classic Spode Christmas tree china and a glass apothecary jar full of gleaming green ornaments add the finishing touches to this elegant tablescape.

From the traditional Spode Christmas tree tablescape to the playfulness of life-size toy soldiers and a purse-adorned Christmas tree, the Tom and Trish O’Brien home is the place to spread Christmas cheer.

It’s Norman Rockwell meets the North Pole in this Whitefish Bay gem.

"I love to decorate our home inside and out," says Trish O’Brien. "We have four small children who enjoy it and look forward to it," she says. "It is fun for all of us."

The O’Brien home offers a color palette that is easily transformed to exude holiday spirit. The green and white striped walls of the foyer, the rich red of the dining room and the sunny yellow in the living room provide a colorful canvas for both traditional and whimsical decorations. Each room has a unique theme, a unique holiday twist, creating a special experience full of color, texture and ambiance.

Trish says she takes creative inspiration from her three sisters and also teams up with Vanessa Johanning of V Gardens & Holiday Design. "You can respect the traditions of a family while giving a new spin to them," Johanning says. "I mix things up a bit, adding new interesting items to make the family’s decorations fresh again." From the O’Brien family treasures, Johaning’s collection of holiday décor and a few new purchases, the space comes alive with holiday magic.

"Trish and Vanessa created stunning and well-appointed displays," Tom O’Brien says. "It’s ‘Rockwellian’ — a return to yesteryear. For us it is about bringing people back to the basics in life. It’s all about sharing and having people over, enjoying the warmth of our own home."

Bathed in a sunny yellow hue, the red and green Christmas palette comes alive in the living room. The tree full of family ornaments is wrapped in ribbon just like a large present, with the Christmas train circling the base. Surrounded by Santa-inspired displays, daughter Katie plays with a whimsical carousel that is a cherished treasure from grandma.
	Life-size toy soldiers and musical-themed garland frame an archway in the foyer, inviting visitors to explore the wonderland beyond.
A small vignette transforms this chest of drawers in the foyer. Brightly colored packages are nestled beneath a small Christmas tree and an elf perched on a nearby chair adds a whimsical touch.
	"Everybody needs a reason to show off their Louis Vuitton." says Vanessa Johanning of the whimsical Christmas tree display on the second floor landing. "The purses in your closet are so pretty, and they hardly ever see the light of day, so you might as well pull them out," she says.