Large grapevine balls are suspended above the doorway of an Eastover home, adorned with draped holly berries and greenery. The effect feels more like a striking art installation than a front door, but that’s the magic of Jay Lugibihl’s so-called “holiday doors.”
Each season, the owner of In Bloom LTD frames roughly 55 doors with a custom blend of greenery, flowers, ribbon and various decorations. His holiday decorating has become so popular that he’s often booked for the season by Halloween each year.
Lugibihl had been decorating clients’ homes for the holidays for more than 20 years. Decorating front doors was often part of his work, but they didn’t bloom into the lavish displays they are today until 2020.
“When COVID hit, and I approached my clients to ask if they were interested in decorating that year, everyone said, ‘Absolutely yes,’ because they wanted anything to brighten their day,” Lugibihl says. “That was the year I began to think a little outside the box.”
He says most of his clients give him free-range to turn their front doors into holiday masterpieces. He incorporates decorations they may already have and also brings his own supplies. A lot of his inspiration comes from roaming his clients’ yards.
“I’ll peruse their yard and start snipping some branches, and next thing you know, I'm attaching big branches around the door,” Lugibihl says. “It takes on a life of its own. A lot of times, people will come out and look at their door and ask where I got some of the material.”
If you’re interested in seeing these showstoppers, Eastover is a great place to see them. Nearly half of Lugibihl’s installations are in the historic Charlotte neighborhood. Many of the installations are lit up, so you can stroll by during the day or drive by at night to see his stunning displays.