More is always (beautifully) better when it comes to sisters Kate Henry and Kelley Anderson, the duo behind the popular The Maximalist Mix Instagram account, and their signature style shines when it comes to setting the Christmas table.
What began as a creative outlet for stay-at-home moms has grown into nearly 15,000 followers on Instagram. They’re known for vibrant and elaborate tablescapes they post on social media. The tables take months to plan before coming to life, but the sisters have been maximalist decorators for years.
“Before we were doing this for Instagram, we both had always loved to entertain and loved hosting,” says Henry.
“We love the thrill of the hunt and finding random things,” Anderson chimes in.
The pair have adored all things design since they were little, and their mother was an interior designer. While they say that she doesn’t share their love of maximalism, they agree that certain elements of their style come from her.
“She's extremely creative and talented,” Anderson says, “but she’d see our table and probably say we could take one thing away.”
The sisters point to bright colors, different patterns and a bit of kitsch thrown in as staples for their decorating style, while their mom prefers a more neutral palette in her own home.
“We just like to be bright and happy,” Henry says. “We don't want to take ourselves too seriously.”
Their mom lives in Florida now, but Henry and Anderson live six houses apart in Myers Park, making it easy to share all of their finds.
Preparation for their Christmas tablescapes starts in August, when the two get together to brainstorm the table’s themes. One of last year’s tables took inspiration from their childhood memories. They used the same Spode tableware they used to eat Christmas breakfast on, as well as a ceramic Santa their great-grandmother made. Another table played on a Cowboy Christmas theme, complete with miniature cowboy boots and cactus plants.
“We put so much into sourcing and searching for the tables,” says Henry. “It's the thrill of the find and making something extra special.”
For this year, the sisters settled on a whimsical interpretation of the “12 Days of Christmas” at Anderson’s house and a “Land of Sweets” Nutcracker theme at Henry's.
No details are spared. Take, for example, Anderson’s interpretation of “9 dancing ladies” from the song. A kitschy pink and black vase from Etsy, featuring a woman who looks like she could be doing the can-can, is perched atop a dark-green glass stand holding golden rings to represent that verse in the song.
Drum ornaments she found from At Home serve as both placecard holders and the “12 drummers drumming.” Colorful ribbons and ornaments hang from the ceiling to add extra holiday flair to the table.
Henry has a similar level of detail. She used Neiman Marcus-inspired candy trees and sequined votives from House and Parties to add sparkle to the Nutcracker-themed napkins and placeholders adorning each setting.
For now, the sisters build tablescapes for their own houses, but dream of their passion project turning into something bigger one day.
If you want to try to recreate some of their looks, their favorite vintage and antique stores around town include Sleepy Poet and The Depot at Gibson Mill for knick-knacks, kitschy items and decorative bowls, Slate Interiors for glassware and Miller & Company inside Southern Lion for plates and vases.
If shopping for new items, try R. Runberg for table linens and placements, Interior Objects for all things Christmas—including great ribbons and bows—and Cotswold Marketplace for glassware and greenery.
Follow The Maximalist Mix sisters @themaximalistmix
"Their favorite vintage and antique stores around town include Sleepy Poet and The Depot at Gibson Mill for knick-knacks, kitschy items and decorative bowls, Slate Interiors for glassware and Miller & Company inside Southern Lion for plates and vases"