Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles is one of my favorite shelter magazines, and each year they unveil an inspiring showhouse decorated for the holidays to raise funds for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. This year’s 2017 Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse and Marketplace is now open for tours until December 10th, but today we’ll glance back at the 2016 Home for the Holidays house for the best Christmas decor ideas from this charming and professionally designed house.
![Best elegant exterior Christmas decor on Atlanta showhouse 2016 French Country white brick home](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Boxwoods-2.jpg)
Let’s start with this magnificent white brick home and its grand porch! The gorgeous containers? The design is from Atlanta designers Randy Korando and Dan Belman (Boxwoods Gardens and Gifts), who incorporated magnolia leaves, evergreens, and reindeer moss.
Photography: Dan Christensen, Southern Hospitality, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles
![Enormous rustic zinc olive planters filled with Christmas greenery on French Country showhouse porch](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/porch.jpg)
1. Combine the Rustic with the Elegant.
On the porch, enormous rustic Mediterranean olive containers (are they zinc?) overflow with fresh evergreens, neutral toned ribbon, and quiet pinecones and grapevine spheres.
![White brick French Country Atlanta showhouse 2016 decorated for Christmas with garland and zinc pots](https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/12/4/CI_David-Christensen-Boxwoods-door-swag.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.suffix/1480901752226.jpeg)
2. Let Evergreen Garlands Pool to the Ground.
Notice how the length of the fresh garland around the front doorway does not simply end at the base of the door? It hugs the big zinc pots and softens the whole vignette.
![Winter Container with fresh greenery and trellis on grand porch of French Country home](https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/12/4/CI_David-ChristensenBoxwoods-large-planters.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.suffix/1480901757212.jpeg)
Loving the addition of that trellis!
3. Prevent Greenery from Drying Out.
In an article on DIY Network, Boxwood Gardens and Gifts recommend a product called Wilt Pruf to keep natural elements fresh and prevent them from drying out in harsh winter weather.
![Large Magnolia Wreaths on wood gates of French Country white brick home](https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/12/4/CI_David-ChristensenBoxwoods-doors.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.suffix/1480901758805.jpeg)
4. Sometimes Two Wreaths Trump One.
Isn’t the symmetry created with these oversized magnolia wreaths hung on the beautiful driveway gates beyond charming? You just KNOW there is magic on the other side!
![White brick French Country Atlanta showhouse 2016 decorated for Christmas with garland and zinc pots](https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/12/4/CI_David-Christensen-Boxwoods-door-swag.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.suffix/1480901752226.jpeg)
5. Skip the Red in Favor of Neutral Ribbon.
What makes this whole exterior holiday decor scheme so elegant and pleasing to my eye is the absence of bold colors. Everything is toned down to allow the greenery and the home to be the stars. The pinecones are quiet, the ribbon is neutral, and there are no typical swaths of red. This is the subtle palette that makes my heart swell because it leaves so much breathing room and creates an understated, divine moment of awe.
![Atlanta 2016 showhouse home for the holidays white brick French Country home](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016108.jpg)
6. Keep it Natural.
You can’t go wrong with your exterior Christmas decorating when you stick to naturally occurring elements such as greenery, pinecones, wood, and stone.
![Breathtaking white brick French Country home decorated for Christmas](https://stevemckenzies.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/atl-homes-lifestyles-2016-home-for-the-holidays.jpg?w=760&h=571)
7. Limit the Number of Different Decor Elements.
Even though this exterior holiday decor scheme feels rich and festive, it’s still a pared-down formula of boxwood, magnolia, and fresh greenery. You’ll note from the landscape, that it is almost limited strictly to boxwood, and this is an elegant look that enhances the beautiful white brick home rather and doesn’t compete. The same philosophy has been applied to the exterior Christmas decorations.
![Zinc planter with boxwood and fresh evergreens decorated for Christmas on French Country home porch](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016003.jpg)
8. Scale Matters.
This gorgeous exterior holiday decor design gloriously celebrates scale and each design element is proportional to the grand size of the porch and home. For your own home, you can also be mindful of scale and in many cases beef up greenery or pots so they pack more of a punch from the street. It may help to take a photo early on in the decorating and then analyze it to troubleshoot and nail down the proper scale.
![Christmas presents on shelves in elegant Atlanta showhouse 2016](https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/12/4/CI_David-Christensen-JessicaBradley-presents-wall.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.suffix/1480901759676.jpeg)
9. Elegantly Wrapped Gifts as Decor.
Jessica Bradley Interiors came up with the wrapped gifts design for these built-in shelves under the stairs, and it’s so simple and straightforward! It reads as elegant because of the understated beauty of the giftwrap chosen. You’ll just not get the same effect if you reach for the Santa and Elves wrapping paper!
![Charming bunk room decorated for Christmas in Atlanta's home for the holidays 2016 showhouse](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/d5/fc/75/d5fc755587729b1bf324f5c057d5fd4f.jpg)
10. Christmas Bells & Greenery.
The marriage of festive gold-toned Christmas bells with evergreen garlands and wreaths (and maybe nothing else!) is a happy one that could be left in place beyond December!
![Pastels and teepee in beautiful pink and white corner of kids room](https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/12/4/CI_David-Christensen-JessicaBradley-kids-room.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.suffix/1480901755075.jpeg)
11. Cozy Quiet Corners.
Jessica Bradley created a charming tranquil teepee getaway for children that feels like a dreamy sanctuary for dreaming of sugarplums. While there may not be time to construct a DIY teepee, consider pulling out that little child’s table and chairs you may have stored away. The addition of a simple candle, some books, and a cozy throw may be all it needs to welcome wonder during the holidays.
![Dining room with upholstered bench and chairs in Atlanta Home for the Holidays 2016](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5388a87ae4b09549eb61646d/5975348f59cc6804bf00379c/597534d603596e0d29a39e40/1500853464162/WomackJowers2_Azima.jpg?format=2500w)
This pretty dining room is so gorgeous on its own with its spare beauty, and yet…
![Dining room decorated for Christmas with blue in Atlanta showhouse 2016](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/atlanta-show-house-2016.jpg)
12. Adorn the Table.
The dining room comes to life when you set the table simply and add a touch of color. Alison Womack Jowers and Cheryl Womack designed this tablescape, and all of us can follow suit: candles, a beautiful bowl of glass ornaments, accent pillows, and elegantly wrapped gifts with neutral ribbon.
![Dramatic bowl of gold and aqua ornaments in Christmas decorated Atlanta showhouse 2016](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016018.jpg)
![Elegant soft red and white decor in room with white rattan swing - Atlanta show house 2016](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5388a87ae4b09549eb61646d/5975348f59cc6804bf00379c/597534d220099e96a39949eb/1500853459070/Bradley2_Followill.jpg?format=2500w)
13. Softer Shades of Red.
Isn’t this a happy chic and lovely combination of softened pinky red and white in the spaces above and below?
![Bedroom decorated for Christmas in Atlanta ShowHouse 2016](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4zSe2cZFK4/WDISLLM__zI/AAAAAAAAfWg/Hcv5oewnrXIMR6OQDJDvvthvYilqMvtigCLcB/s1600/2016-11-17%2B09.46.31.jpg)
Again, in this lovely room with the wood beams below, we see a quieter shade of that pinky red repeated in accessories, a books, a throw, and fresh flowers.
![Atlanta holiday home showhouse 2016](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016007.jpg)
![Elegant Christmas decor on stone fireplace mantel in Atlanta showhouse 2016](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016013.jpg)
14. Tone on Tone.
Festive holiday decor does not always have to shout to the heavens; for corners of the home where relaxing will occur, think whispers of shimmering champagne and hushed tone on tone.
![Christmas tree with white, gold, and black wrapped gifts in Atlanta showhouse 2016](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016006.jpg)
15. Simple White and Gold on the Tree.
Isn’t the interest and movement on this simply decorated Christmas tree enchanting? The black wrap on the gifts feels unexpected and modern.
![Elegant kitchen with Christmas wreath decoration on range hood in Atlanta showhouse 2016](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016104.jpg)
16. Wreath & Dramatic Bowl of Pomegranates.
When you wish to stay on the subtle side of Christmas decorating at home, why not make it easy on yourself and simply opt for two or three festive moments in the kitchen? Bowls of apples or limes work equally well.
![Atlanta showhouse 2016 kitchen with two tone cabinetry and exquisite design](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5388a87ae4b09549eb61646d/5975348f59cc6804bf00379c/597534d6cd0f689adba1fee6/1500853464379/Woodbery_Followill.jpg?format=2500w)
17. Black & White Photos in Gold Frames.
It’s tricky to display family photos in an elegant fashion, and even more challenging to successfully hang them on the wall without getting too granny or busy. By limiting the color to black and white and keeping the frame color consistent, this grouping in a powder room below feels festive, nostalgic, personal, and wondrous all at once.
![Powder room in Atlanta showhouse 2016 with grasscloth wall covering, marble sink, and gilded frames](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/atlanta-holiday-home-2016020.jpg)
18. Venture Beyond Tomato Red & Lime Green.
There, I said it. What colors will read sophisticated and designer-inspired? Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles has us covered in this MUST PIN:
![Paint colors for Atlanta showhouse 2016 Home for the Holidays](https://southernhospitalityblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/IMG.jpg)
Isn’t this a breathtaking home? Wouldn’t you love to see what the designers have in store and visit the 2017 Atlanta Home for the Holidays?
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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What a wonderful post! Thanks for all the ideas and for sharing these gorgeous images!
Author
Thanks for reading, Betsy! 🙂
Can you comment on the exterior colors?
Author
You might contact Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine since I don’t have the info. 🙂
How you effortlessly blend imagination, wisdom, and positivity is remarkable. Your unique writing style can uplift our spirits and ignite our creativity. Each visit to your blog feels like embarking on a transformative journey, where we discover new avenues for personal growth and explore uncharted innovation territories. Regards Party Greetings Store
Author
Thanks for the kind words and for visiting. 🙂