Tour a Colorful, Christmas-Ready Home In Atlanta

When your home’s colors are a mix of reds, pinks, blues and greens, decking the halls for the holidays is as merry as it is easy. “Our palette goes with pretty much everything except Halloween,” says Meg Monteith, who moved into husband Scott’s 1960s ranch-style house in Atlanta, Georgia, soon after they wed. Although he had replaced the white carpeting with wide-plank hardwood, rooms were half-empty and the overall vibe was outdated bachelor pad. Once the couple were having a baby, says Meg, “we wanted it to look like a family lived here.” And they knew just who to tap for help: Meg’s big brother, a.k.a. HGTV designer Brian Patrick Flynn. The friendly-with-flair scheme sprang from a knockout wallpaper by Thibaut that Scott found for the entry (totally impressing Brian). Now that they’re finished, those exuberant colors and personal touches have raised the joy factor through the roof.

Layers of blue — navy walls, a Chesterfield sofa from Anthropologie and hits of teal in the art — give the space personality. Lit up, the tree’s lights are even more golden next to the inky wall. A wide Pottery Barn bench turned coffee table is practically made for Christmas morning giftpalooza. (Wall paint color: Naval by Sherwin-Williams)

Pep plan: Paint the wood paneling white and do a combo of patterns. It worked! A paisley print on the back of the built-in (every wallpaper in the home is by Thibaut) and a geometric one on the drapes play off each other. Along with stockings and garland, holiday movies on loop dress up the fireplace during the season.

“The goal was to avoid stuffy — and plain!” says Meg. Cherry blossom wallpaper is cheery 365 days a year. Add poinsettias and mini faux-boxwood wreaths hanging from ribbon on the chairs and it’s full-on festive.