Interior designer and founding editor of Milieu, Pamela Pierce simply has a way with white. Her French country holiday décor sensibilities provide much needed calm in these hectic times! In her own elegant Houston home, the Christmas color story is fresh green and white in harmony with natural European antiques and accessories. LEARN FROM THE LOOK: Understated, Natural & White Holiday Home spotlights timeless design elements shared within MILIEU. Ready to learn from the look, class?
![Pamela Pierce's holiday decorated Houston home with modern French style and white!](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/pamela-pierce-white-christmas-urns-dining-room-french-country-brie-williams.jpg)
Primary photography: Peter Vitale for Milieu magazine
Pamela Pierce’s Understated, Natural & White Holiday Home
Let’s dispel any notion straight away that I’m a credentialed Christmas decorating expert poised to demonstrate how to master it. Nope. I’m a student too and need all the help I can get from seasoned design professionals who strike the right balance and create spaces that evoke wonder.
![White Christmas decor in a modern French dining room with white roses and fresh greenery - Pamela Pierce for Milieu magazine. #christmasdecor #frenchcountry #elegantchristmasdecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-milieu-001.jpg)
What I can offer? Sensitivity to beauty with a keenly creative eye for details.
Learn from the Look: DARE TO BE SPARE
It’s probably a more natural inclination to add MORE of everything around the holidays: more pillows, more color, more stimulation.
![Modern French white living room of Pamela Pierce (Houston) decorated for Christmas in Milieu magazine. #pamelapierce #livingroom #christmasdecor #milieumag](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-milieu-005.jpg)
But there are tranquil possibilities if you are after a calm look with less. Notice in the living space above, there aren’t colorful plaid pillows with reindeer or festive sayings upon the sofa. The tables are not cluttered with sparkly ornaments or candlesticks. A pared down look exudes a sense of spaciousness and order–qualities I am ever seeking to elevate at home.
Learn from the Look: GARLAND ON STAIRCASE
One glance at the decked stairs, and I bet you’ll guess what I’m about to suggest!
![Pamela Pierce designed home at Christmas. #frenchcountry #christmasdecor #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pamela-pierce-christmas-antiques-urns-rustic-modern-french-dining-room-briewilliams.jpg)
Decorate at the base of the railings rather than on top of the handrail! And what could be more French than embellishing your fresh greenery with pears or green apples!
Not that there’s anything wrong with swagging your garland gracefully…Pierce shows us how to keep the look airy:
![Pamela Pierce designed home at Christmas. #frenchcountry #christmasdecor #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pamela-pierce-christmas-staircase-garland-lanterns-santos-nativity-white-roses.jpg)
![Ann Voskamp faith, Christianity, hope, and inspirational quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquote #faithquote #hopequote #annvoskamp #christianity](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/christmas-quotes-on-hello-lovely-studio-faith-as-long-as-you-still-are-hope-quote-ann-voskamp.jpg)
Learn from the Look: CUSTOMIZE CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTS
Sometimes you can find the proper scaled ornaments, and sometimes you can find them in a color that is just right. If you can’t, customize them with paint. For the tree below, Pierce spray painted mercury glass ornaments white.
![Pamela Pierce designed home at Christmas. #frenchcountry #christmasdecor #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pamela-pierce-christmas-tree-white-modern-french-rustic-santos-holiday.jpg)
Is there anything so understated and charming as white lights strung in deep green boughs?
![Antiques, white, and fresh greenery decorate the elegant modern French home of Pamela Pierce for Christmas - Milieu magazine.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-milieu-004.jpg)
Colorful lights often feel more at home in modern style rooms.
LEARN FROM THE LOOK: White Roses at Christmas
The designer’s fondness for white roses is apparent the whole year through, but don’t underestimate the power of them during the holidays.
![Modern French white living room of Pamela Pierce (Houston) decorated for Christmas in Milieu magazine. #pamelapierce #livingroom #christmasdecor #milieumag](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-milieu-005-1.jpg)
Hunt for vintage or antique earthenware to hold the roses. The bonus is you can live with the look all winter!
![Ann Voskamp Christmas quote about faith and spirituality - on Hello Lovely Studio. #christmasquote #annvoskamp #quotes #christianity #faithquote](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/christmas-quotes-on-hello-lovely-studio-faith-holds-me-revives-remakes-ann-voskamp.jpg)
LEARN FROM THE LOOK: White Silk Ribbon
What a layer of luxury white silk adds to a variety of decorations!
![Pamela Pierce designed home at Christmas. #frenchcountry #christmasdecor #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/pamela-pierce-christmas-white-gifts-french-country-milieu-1.jpg)
Gifts wrapped in silk, ribbon, and cellophane qualify as part of the lovely decor as well!
![Lovely white Christmas gifts wrapped in silk and cellophane - Pamela Pierce for Milieu magazine. #whitechristmasdecor #giftwrapping #elegantholiday #milieumag #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-cellphane-gifts-milieu-002.jpg)
LEARN FROM THE LOOK: Floating Evergreens
This is a look that feels as fresh and timeless as ever. What I love about this idea of suspending fresh evergreens with ribbon is that you need not have a chandelier!
![White Christmas decor in a modern French dining room with white roses and fresh greenery - Pamela Pierce for Milieu magazine. #christmasdecor #frenchcountry #elegantchristmasdecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-milieu-001-1.jpg)
Isn’t it a magical effect!?!
Psst. If you are new to Milieu magazine…ooh lala…indeed you will want to subscribe! (Also, it makes a perfect gift!)
LEARN FROM THE LOOK: Create a Nest on the Mantel
Just look at how evergreen branches form a snug nest for antique jars and pears on the fireplace. The fullness of the greenery softens the whole composition almost like a cloud!
![Breathtaking with natural greenery, antique French pots, and pears, a stone fireplace is decorated for the holidays in Pamela Pierce's Houston home. #christmasfireplace #christmasmantel #frenchcountry #whitechristmas #christmasdecor #pamelapierce #milieumag](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-fireplace-milieu-006.jpg)
LEARN FROM THE LOOK: Angel Cookies
Is it truly as simple as baking or buying simply iced angel cookies and placing them on a white pedestal?
![Angel cookies with white icing in Pamela Pierce's Houston home decorated for Christmas - Milieu magazine. #whitechristmas #christmascookies #frenchcountry #whitechristmas #pamelapierce](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/pamela-pierce-white-modern-French-christmas-decor-cookies-milieu-002.jpg)
Give it a whirl and see for yourself! I found this cookie cutter collection in case you need it.
Also, for a beautiful scalloped bowl that I use for salads, baked goods, and everything under the sun…
![](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/image-6.png)
![Country French Holiday Home Decor on Hello Lovely Studio. #countryfrenchchristmsa #frenchchristmas #holidaydecor](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/country-french-holiday-home-decor-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
If you have been following along, you may know my inner sugar plum fairy delights in pinning holiday decor you can peek at HERE.
![Minted Holiday Favorites](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/hello-lovely-loves-minted-banner.jpg)
Thanks so much for re-pinning to spread the magic…you truly know how to make this bloggerina twirl...oh, and she is still dancing a happy dance about making the short list for Amara’s Interior Blog Awards! Please vote Hello Lovely RIGHT HERE.
![Wooly ivory handmade pom pom wreaths with pale pink ballet slippers and candlelight for Christmas - Hello Lovely Studio. #christmasdecor #serenechristmas #pompomwreath #hellolovelystudio](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/000045-hello-lovely-studio-pom-pom-wreath-ballet-slippers-candlelight-2.jpg)
ABOVE: Hello Lovely’s pom pom wreaths…in case you enjoy retro cozy.
![Ann Voskamp Christmas quote professing faith and Christianity - on Hello Lovely Studio. #christmasquote #christianityquote #annvoskamp #spiritualquote](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/christmas-quotes-on-hello-lovely-studio-faith-presence-as-the-gift-ann-voskamp.jpg)
It seems this bloggerina must be reminded repeatedly with messages like the one above that productivity and performance are never the point.
Thank you, Pam. For sharing your personal home to bless our hearts, so very hungry for beauty.
![Decorate the Christmas Tree With These Lovely Finds - Hello Lovely Studio](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/decorate-the-christmas-tree-hello-lovely-studio-banner-ornaments.jpg)
Pin this post to save for future reference, and if you enjoy wisdom from author Ann Voskamp, find this and also other titles RIGHT HERE.
Have an extra moment for a timeless house tour?
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Love Pam Pierce decorating. Her fireplace, decorated for Christmas, is the most appealing I have seen and I find myself just staring at it. It is simple, yet elegant. She has a way of combining articles that turn rustic elements into sheer beauty.
Author
I love it so much too. And I am so inspired by how she is able to decorate with greenery and it looks soft and lush rather than spiky and rustic. Can’t get enough of her home!
Love all of her big pots. Looking forward to seeing more photos of Pam’s home for this year.
Author
Me too. I hope she shares this year’s scheme! Are you planning on visiting the Giannetti’s new shop when it opens? I may be in Franklin later this month.