Kathy Kerber and her husband Ron met 38 years ago, moving from Northern Virginia to Missouri to Michigan as part of his government-related work. After about 13 years of relocation, Kathy longed to return to Virginia, while Ron was hoping to move to a farm setting similar to where he grew up in Indiana. Together, the two decided on Charlottesville, where they were able to find 260 acres close to town but with stunning mountain views.
Now, the couple is downsizing, selling the Belle Terre Estate, but building another home locally to remain in the area they love. This year, Kathy is decorating Belle Terre for the holidays for the last time, an annual tradition that she holds dear to her heart. She shared with Charlottesville City Lifestyle how her approaches and decor have evolved over the years, as well as a few tips on making your home merry and bright during the season.
Living on a farm at Christmas has a lot of advantages. I can find almost everything I need to decorate outside my front door – plenty of pine, holly, and berries! When we moved in 25 years ago, we planted a magnolia tree that I didn’t realize at the time would become essential to my centerpieces and garlands.
I never thought I had talent for creating flower arrangements, but several years ago, I learned wet foam is the key! Once I took the time to purchase the right supplies, I realized I could fool with arranging my clippings in the foam until I got it right. Then I supplement with a few flowers from the store, such as white lilies or hydrangeas and - voilà – I have a big, gorgeous (and inexpensive) centerpiece.
I think old tureens make the best containers for arrangements and are very easy to find at one of the many wonderful second-hand stores we have in Charlottesville. My favorite is an old blue and white china piece that looks great with almost anything I put on the table.
Something else I’ve learned about decorating for Christmas is where to put some lights for the best effect (although I actually believe in putting them everywhere). I used to think people decorated their houses outside so the neighbors could enjoy seeing each other’s houses lit up, but since our neighbors can’t see our house, I never thought about doing that.
A few years ago, however, I got a wild hair and decided to wrap lights around the Juliet balcony outside our family room’s French doors. I was stunned at how much that added to the feeling inside the room. It creates a beautiful, warm glow that is very festive. It was so beautiful that I decided to light up the corner pillar on the porch outside my kitchen. I would advise anyone who has a tree, shrub, or porch railing that is a prominent view from one of the rooms they mostly inhabit to light it up. You won’t be sorry!
Belle Terre is listed with Jamie Waller and Lisa Lyons with Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates.
Kathy Kerber's Take on Holiday Decorating
People ask if I’m going to scale down holiday decorating, and my answer is: not until I have to! Decorating for Christmas and listening to Christmas music really get me in the spirit, and I hope I never lose that. But the truth I’ve learned over the years is that the best holidays are because of the people around the table!