A Country Christmas
One Millbrook Family Pulls Out all the Stops
By Jamie Marshall
Photographs by Rana Faure
Millbrook residents Joyann and Jeremy Michael share a love for country life, entertaining their friends and family, hanging out with their kids, Sienna, age 7, and Whit, age 2, and—at this time of year—decorating for the holidays.
“We call him the Clark Griswold of Millbrook,” says Joyann about her husband of nine years. “He wants as many lights as electricity will allow on the house.”
And not just the house. The day after Thanksgiving marks the stringing of lights on all the outbuildings and the trees lining the long driveway. The festive display has become a holiday landmark for friends and neighbors. “If they don’t see the lights they start calling us,” she says.
The magic continues inside the couple’s gracious white Colonial (dubbed Whiskey Ridge), where each of the downstairs rooms is adorned with holiday finery.
As a former fashion editor in New York City and co-founder of the shapewear swimwear brand, Stylest, Joyann has a great eye. She says her mom is a “fabulous entertainer,” who taught her how to set a beautiful table and make everything feel special. “She showed me how to enjoy the process,” says Joyann, a concept she takes to heart as she unpacks boxes and boxes of ornaments and trimmings. “I don’t overthink it.”
Last year’s blue theme in the dining room was inspired by Bunny Williams’ Blue Forest wall covering. The beautiful tablescape featured a set of 12 Christmas plates designed by the couple’s good friend, fashion designer Lela Rose. Each plate depicts a line from the song The 12 Days of Christmas. Rose originally hand painted a set of plates for her brother, and then decided to reproduce them to sell. “They are very special,” says Joyann. “They are beautiful and chic—but also magical and kid friendly.”
The tree takes center stage in the family room (the heart of the house), and trimming it is a day-long affair. The living room, on the other hand, has a more sophisticated vibe. Here Joyann combines a mix of textures—metallics, glitter, glass. “This is the place for glamorous cocktails, and a holiday playlist,” she says.
When it comes to the overall feel, the couple strives for a balance. “I love a beautifully decorated home for Christmas,” says Joyann. “But we do want a little bit of kitsch.”
Consider the front entry hall, which last year featured a life-size reindeer and baby deer, a gift from Joyann’s mother. When they arrived, the Michaels were somewhat flummoxed. “We laughed and said what are we going to do with this? So, we put jingle bells on them.” They were joined by a jolly Santa dressed in plaid and a neon red Merry sign. “That sign is the ultimate kitsch,” says Joyann. “Jeremy found it, and I was like I don’t know about the Merry sign; and he said, ‘I believe in the Merry sign.’ Honestly, he would put up The Christmas Story leg lamp in the windows if he could.”
