Jeanne Oliver is a seeker of beauty. As a mixed media artist and designer of clothing and jewelry, she is constantly inspired by her surroundings, especially by the art and history of a place. This translates into a fascination for vintage pieces and the splendor of the outdoors.
With the beautiful glow of the Christmas tree filling her home with warmth, Jeanne just might keep her holiday masterpiece up all year. And who wouldn’t? The creative genius has turned her Balsam Hill Christmas tree into a timeless vintage marvel. In this interview, Jeanne talks about her approach to holiday decorating.
BH: What inspired you to start blogging?
Jeanne: I started blogging over six years ago because I had started a business, and it seemed like the next creative step to take. I started to blog as I was creating a brand, but it has become so much more. It has become a creative outlet to share not only my products and brand but a meaningful way to connect with women from all over the world and share my life. It has become more of a living journal than a place that is just about business. I never imagined the relationships I would form with women through blogging. It has been incredible for me professionally, creatively, and personally.
BH: Do you have a signature ornament you use on your tree year after year?
Jeanne: My favorite ornament to add to the tree each year is the crochet chaining that my daughter made for me. We use the cream crocheting for garland, and I love how it makes our tree look.
BH: When you decorate for the holidays, are there any guidelines you try to follow?
Jeanne: I really try to keep it simple. I like to use natural elements as much as possible and I don’t think you can ever have too much greenery. My husband may disagree with me on this one.
BH: What’s your favorite spot in the home to decorate for the holidays?
Jeanne: Definitely the living room. There is nothing better than cuddling up on the couch and having the beautiful glow of the Christmas tree. I think we would keep it up all year long if we could get away with it. Maybe we will!
BH: Where do you go for holiday decorating inspiration?
Jeanne: Most of the time you don’t have to go farther than your backyard. A long walk in the open space behind our home usually provides the branches and pine cones we need. For more inspiration, I don’t have to look farther than my favorite blogs and Pinterest.
BH: Who’s your favorite holiday designer?
Jeanne: I would have to say that I am most inspired by the beautiful decorating and styling of my friend Maria Carr of Dreamy Whites. Her work takes my breath away.
BH: Any gift-wrapping tips?
Jeanne: I really love wrapping gifts. I think the wrapping makes whatever you give even more meaningful. I am a sucker for tags, ribbons, and special papers. We also love to take craft paper and create our own wrapping paper. Let the kids get involved in the wrapping; they really love being part of the giving and decorating.
BH: What is the most memorable Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
Jeanne: The most memorable has to be the year my husband gave me a box of tissue. I didn’t know what in the world that was about, and then he played a DVD he made for me. He had taken photos of all three children from their birth to the present and put it to music. The song was ‘Let Them Be Little’ and I still can’t watch it without bawling. The time goes too quickly.
BH: What do you look forward to the most during the holiday season?
Jeanne: Celebrating family, celebrating the little things that make life amazing, and celebrating the birth of Christ.
