At holiday time, Boston-based interior designer Marc J. Langlois festoons his clients’ homes with fresh greenery, trims their trees, and even chooses gift wrap. One Wellesley family has multiple trees, including this one in the study, where they exchange presents with friends and celebrate New Year’s Eve. The starry night theme is executed in a tone-on-tone palette of gold, silver, and white. The ornaments, which Langlois collects throughout the year, sparkle against the gunmetal gray lacquer paneling. The shag rug, a year-round piece, fits perfectly into the scheme, resembling snow-dusted grass. “The room envelops you,” says Langlois. “That’s perfect at Christmas.”
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1 On the mantel, Langlois starts with an artificial garland, then weaves in live pine boughs and pine cones for an ultra-lush look. “It’s one of our favorite tricks,” he says.
2 The organic form of the hand-blown glass light fixture inspired the look and feel of the Christmas tree decorations.
3 Since the family has a live one elsewhere, Langlois chose a high-end, zero-maintenance artificial tree from Frontgate, pre-strung with white lights.
4 Langlois made the tree topper out of feathery wands from Venetian-style masquerade masks he found among the homeowners’ belongings.
5 Vintage glass pine cones and glass balls hand-painted by local artists in silver, gold, and white patterns give the tree a glistening, monochromatic look.
6 Simple bouquets of white roses and fresh greenery are scattered throughout the house. Unlike that of some seasonal botanicals, the scent is not overpowering.
7 Even the wrapping paper and ribbons, which Langlois buys for clients whose homes he decorates for the holidays, coordinate with the overall palette.
8 Brass antlers, picked up at a gift shop in Newport, top the coffee table during the holiday season, simultaneously referencing winter and warming up the black-and-white decor.