We caught up with our 2014 Home cover woman Mary McDonald, internationally acclaimed interior designer and tastemaker, to chat about the upcoming holidays.
M&V: What’s been your most memorable holiday and where was it?
MCDONALD: I honestly have had so many and in retrospect my most memorable have been in my childhood because I could not get over the magic of Santa and Christmas. We would go to my grandmother’s every Christmas eve and she would serve everyone these glamorous shrimp cocktails in crystal cups with little forks, which I thought were so cute just for me not realizing they were cocktail forks. The fire would roar and all my relatives would be dressed up and I would sit in amazement at her huge tree with presents which we would open after dinner. She and my grandfather were so elegant and from another time. It really felt like magic to me and I still got to be surprised by Santa the next day.
M&V: In what city/country would love you to celebrate New Year’s Eve?
Paris
M&V: Do you normally host holidays yourself or enjoy yourself at someone else’s party?
MCDONALD: I used to always host a big Christmas party since I was 17 but I have taken a break lately enjoyed going to others. I really do love holiday entertaining though. I am getting revved up for it again this year.
M&V: What is the most staple item for holiday decorating?
MCDONALD: Greenery, garlands, branches
M&V: What does your dream holiday party look like?
MCDONALD: A plaid explosion
M&V: Does any particular designer come to mind when you think of holiday and the holiday festivities?
MCDONALD: Carolyne Roehm. I love what Carolyn has done over all the years. She achieves a great sense of well thought out visual balance that is so pleasing to the eye while also is playful, colorful and glamorous.
M&V: What is a great gift for a hostess?
MCDONALD: You know people always want to get tricky and unless you know someone very well, I always think chic small guest soaps or simple elegant white linen hand towels for a powder room are usable and appreciated. They come in handy and for entertainers and you can never really have enough.
M&V: It’s clear that your impeccable style doesn’t fall short when it comes to your personal fashion sense; do you have a go-to holiday soiree outfit?
MCDONALD: Well thank you for the compliment! I honestly have so many party clothes, I never have just one I rely on and it truly depends on my mood. Having said that, I have lots of classic little black dresses that range from the whimsical with feather trimmed skirts, to the more elegant with collar and white cuffs that I love to throw on with one of my vintage jeweled pins with a little group of feathers behind it for flair. I find that a high quality paste vintage pin with some sort of feather bouquet enlivens the most severe of conservative cocktail dresses. I actually have an entrée drawer of all sorts of feathers and jeweled pins that could be arranged for the hair, lapels, sides of skirts for almost any occasion, even Thanksgiving. There is nothing chicer than an unexpected group of pheasant feathers and tweed floor length dinner skirt.
M&V: What gets you in the mood or gives you inspiration for holidays?
MCDONALD: Nat King Cole, Mulled Cider and The 1951 movie A Christmas Carol
M&V: What are three things that every house should have for the holidays?
MCDONALD: 1. Some form of greenery, a tree or a mantle or a door surround. 2. The smell of Christmas Pine and candles. 3. Champagne or spirits on hand for the stop by guest.
M&V: What’s a major faux pas in holiday décor?
MCDONALD: As if there is just one? Hard to choose there are so many…Let’s say life size Santa’s that wave, for a start.
More or Less Decor? MORE
Red or Green? RED
White or colorful lights? WHITE
Real or synthetic Christmas tree? REAL
Wine or Champagne? CHAMPAGNE, but I am kind of a wino too
Chic gown or whimsical cocktail dress? WHIMSICAL COCKTAIL DRESS
Large holiday party or intimate gathering? BOTH ARE GREAT. I CANT CHOOSE
Stay home or venture somewhere new for the holidays? STAY HOME
Gold or silver? GOLD
Velvet sexy heels or sleek knee-high boots? VELVET SEXY HEELS
