The Jarosz family adds special ornaments collected from their travels to the Christmas tree in the family room.
Every year, DonnaMarie Jarosz, of Severna Park, Maryland, gives herself the same Christmas gift—the gift of relaxation and peace of mind. Ever since her teenage girls were little, the Jarosz family has left for vacation on Thanksgiving weekend and returned to a beautifully decorated home for the holidays. “It was so magical for my girls,” says Jarosz, “They thought Santa had come to decorate the house.”
For the last four years, Jarosz has teamed with interior designer Kim McCarl, ASID, of McCarl Studio in Annapolis, Maryland, to transform her suburban home into a winter wonderland. “It’s definitely worth the money,” Jarosz says. “It allows me to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, which is really about the people you love—your family and friends.”
McCarl takes her inspiration from the home’s architecture and style, which she describes as “traditional with unexpected moments and transitional accents.” “The home is filled with wonderful moldings and details that lend themselves to holiday décor,” she says. “The fireplaces are a perfect example. Each is different, and I decorate them differently.”
Together, Jarosz and McCarl develop a design plan that includes three fireplace mantels in various rooms, four trees, two staircases, the exterior front porch, three-side garages, and one large lighted tree.
To create a casual, traditional look in the family room, McCarl decorates the fireplace mantel with berry red and deep forest green accents. “To add drama and to update the room, I used bright red and apple green ornaments on the tree with a mix of size, style, and color,” she says. Sentimental ornaments, such as those from Jarosz’s childhood and her family’s travels, are also added to the trees for a personal touch.
Because of the amount of wood in the study, McCarl uses bronze and gold elements to create boldness and drama to meet the demands of the room. The decorations in the dining room, however, are more subtle and neutral.
“DonnaMarie had two wreaths of glistening fruit that were a perfect fit for flanking the fireplace in the dining room,” McCarl says. “I selected two decorative standing wreath holders to display them at a lower level. There were other fruit ornaments in her collection that worked well with the silver and translucent items for a softer, but more formal look.”
While the Jarosz family is on vacation, McCarl and at least one to two assistants take approximately three full days to completely decorate the entire home. Afterward, Jarosz and her family are ready to host their annual Christmas party. “There’s just something about the holidays,” says Jarosz. “The energy and spirit are different. I love tradition, and I love how the home feels when it’s full of family and friends.”
L’Oreal Thompson is the assistant editor for Chesapeake Home + Living.
Contact:
McCarl Studio: mccarlstudio.com or 443-994-5830
