A Vancouver Home Designed With the Christmas Tree in Mind

When former NHLer David Jones and his wife Kimberly were planning their dream home in Edgemont Village in North Vancouver, one thing came up early in their discussions with the team at Kelly Deck Design.

Sure, the conversation started with the big picture: a clear, overarching directive to create a space that feels like it has always been there—warm and lived in, effortlessly elegant rather than tailored or formal. But to ensure the space was successful, one all-important question was addressed right away: Where will the Christmas tree go?

Designer Kelly Deck (left) and homeowner Kimberly Jones decorate the tree in the Joneses’ North Vancouver home. Garlands of pearls and ribbon bring an old-English note to the traditional Christmas tree, the design of which was inspired by a dress Deck saw at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. A swag on the fireplace is rich and over the top with a variety of evergreens, including magnolia leaves and giant pinecones. “Magnolia brings in that gorgeous cognac hue created by the velvety underside of the leaf,” says Deck. “Everything is a little earthy.” Photo: Ema Peter.

See, it wasn’t going to be just any tree. Kimberly, who is a former ballerina and loves the abundance and old-world charm of The Nutcracker, had a vision of an 18-foot beauty. And that meant the ceiling height had to comply.

What evolved over the next year of design process with Kimberly was a space that is just right for the family—accommodating three kids and a dog, low maintenance but elevated. And the great room was designed to be the perfect place for that showstopper of a tree, with a soaring double-height ceiling acting as the frame.

“The dining area was so fun—this is one of my favourite tables we’ve ever done,” says Deck. Boxwood wreaths on the windows with olive-coloured velvet ribbon bring a simple accent to the view. Kimberly selected all of the furnishings in the home, including this antique baker’s table, which she found at Thomas Hobbs’s Southlands Nursery in Vancouver. The chairs are from Scott Landon Antiques, which she had painted white and upholstered in a damask linen—turning formerly pubby seating into something both elegant and fun. Photo: Ema Peter.

Of course, the decorations on that tree needed to be special, too. Deck and her team took their inspiration from a dress she spotted at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. Rich in olive, burgundy, browns and warm ivory, the wintery, layered dress became the jumping-off point for the home’s holiday colour palette. That inspiration then carries throughout the home, where a wealth of detail brings the warmth of a family Christmas to every room. “There are pieces throughout that have meaning and history,” says Deck. “What brings in holiday magic is layers upon layers in this type of home.”

The outdoor living space is just off the den, next to the family room, and can be used year-round. “We wanted it to have a natural vibe,” says Deck. The tree is decorated with hand-dried oranges, along with cinnamon sticks, popcorn strings and feathers. Baby cypress trees decorate the table. “You can pop them into anything,” says Deck, “and dust them with icing sugar to look like they’re covered in snow.” A vintage fondue set and spiced warm cider make for a perfect holiday night. Photo: Ema Peter

More Photos From This Festive North Vancouver Home

The vignette at the front entry changes seasonally; for the holidays, Deck’s team decorated the Portuguese laurel with lights, paired with a couple of hurricane lamps. On the table just inside the door sits a delightful surprise for visitors: a gingerbread house that’s a replica of the home itself. Photo: Ema Peter

Even for a vignette like this, there are plenty of places for the eye to roam: a vintage lamb figurine, green and red antique books and a sprig of mistletoe—it’s holiday without screaming so. Photo: Ema Peter.

Photo: Ema Peter.

“Christmas is a time of gratitude and abundance, and decorating with food has always been done—it’s a celebration of that abundance,” says Deck. She had friends at the café Coco et Olive bake the plum puddings and cakes, while Kimberly’s parents baked bread and cookies for the holidays. Photo: Ema Peter.

On the table, mixed metals like copper chargers and gold candlesticks add a warm note; each setting also has its own individual gingerbread house. Etched glassware is less precious than crystal, but still provides the perfect sparkle. Photo: Ema Peter.

“At Christmastime, you’re trying to create that magic for children, so when they get to adulthood they still think Christmas is magic,” says Deck. In the kids’ playroom, the vintage Santa painting was discovered on one of Kimberly’s antique hunts, while the wardrobe is a family heirloom. The nesting Santa dolls and a peek-a-boo advent calendar bring play to the room. Photo: Ema Peter.

The French bulldog statue is a nod to the family’s own Frenchie, named Leonard—the former wears a toque to disguise a less-than-perfect ear. The kids’ tree is child friendly and fun, with llamas, clowns and felted mice tucked among wooden bead garlands and candy canes. Photo: Ema Peter