When Beckley interior designer Dana Blankenship and marketing and design assistant David Trump took on the job of holiday decorating for a homeowner at The Summit in White Sulphur Springs, they found many ways to blend traditional and contemporary holiday elements.

“We really wanted to stay true to the spirit of The Greenbrier, especially on the outside portico with the green velvet tablecloth and the black and white-striped china,” Blankenship said.

The home immediately lent itself to a variety of design elements, Trump said.

“The house really has a great cozy lodge feel with the pine floors and beams. Those elements themselves provide a natural process for decorating,” he said.

Blankenship loves to work with items the homeowner has to create a personal touch to the atmosphere.

“I don’t want it to look like I’ve been there,” she said. “I want the decor to reflect the personalities and tastes of the people who live there. My biggest challenge is to get a feel for who they are and what they like and build on that.”

A deer head, for example, provided the perfect opportunity to add a “wow” effect to an entry way. Blankenship turned the trophy into a reindeer and added garland for the right touch of holiday spirit.

Ask these design pros what their biggest challenge was, and the answer comes in unison: “The tree!” Standing 16 feet tall, the artificial evergreen presented wonderful opportunities along with a mind-boggling stretch of imaginations to fill it without making it appear over- or under-decorated.

“The tree was hands-down the most challenging and the most rewarding part for me,” Trump said. “All in all, it was a ton of fun, but there were moments that got very interesting. Especially when it came to the topper, but it turned out great.”

Blankenship’s experience taught her a secret to decorating an extra large tree. “Prepare your topper first before assembling the tree.”

Some of the biggest decorating mistakes people make often begin with the tree, Trump said.

“They don’t think outside the box, especially when it comes to the tree. Don’t just think red and green. Use different colors. Ribbon is a great way to fill in a tree, especially if you get a couple of different kinds and mix them up. If you have an artificial tree, cut some fresh pine and place throughout the tree. It will give the tree and totally different look and give you that great fresh pine smell.”

Blankenship drives home one major design point that applies especially to holiday decor.

“Less is more. You don’t have to put out every decoration you own. Having a nice focal point here and there is a much better way to add interest to your home, especially during the holidays,” she said.

The pair offered some basic guidelines for making sure holiday themes aren’t overdone.

- Always incorporate fresh-cut natural elements. Bring in items like boxwood or magnolia or fresh cranberries.

- Don’t be afraid of using different colors. Mix the old with the new.

- Pick two or three of your favorite colors and incorporate them throughout your home, in your tree, in fresh garland and in your tablescape.

- Unbox heirloom ornaments and incorporate them into your tree. Pull out old quilts and drape them over your couch or chair. Light some candles for added coziness.

- Spray paint, ribbon and glitter are your friends. Use these embellishments on fruit and florals for your tablescape or on your gifts and name tags to add a splash of color under the tree.

Visitors can tour the home throughout the holiday season. To arrange a tour, call 304-256-7500.

— E-mail: bdavis@register-herald.com