Date:  November 23, 2015  |   Story: Ashley Gill  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Chip Jones  |  

Designer Mona Thompson never feels more at home in her West Little Rock residence than she does during the Christmas season—she tells us why

Over the past few years, Mona Thompson’s approach to decorating her own home has changed, and it’s a change that is also reflected in her holiday décor. As an art and antiques expert, a celebrated Arkansas designer, and co-owner of Providence Design (along with her sister, Talena Ray), Thompson sees all of the latest and greatest in the world of home design, from the luxurious to the rustic; and now, more than ever, she’s inspired by using color and texture in ways that make her home more comfortable and inviting. “Lighter colors and layered textures—iron, wood, stone, fabrics—create a special warmth;” she says, “it’s a feeling you get from the moment you walk in.”

“My style is certainly traditional,” Thompson says, “but that means something slightly different than it did ten years ago. Styles have changed, and my tastes have changed; now there’s more freedom to bring together the old and new. I have collected art and antiques since I got married, and I’ll have those things around me forever, but now I’m lightening everything up, especially upholstered pieces and drapes.” In gravitating toward lighter hues, Thompson has also found more freedom in her use of color: “I think about using color differently than in the past—no more rules about what color can or can’t be used; any color can be incorporated in ways that are beautiful and fresh and light.”

Thompson’s fresh attitude toward her surroundings also translates into her choice of seasonal décor: “I’m not drawn to glitzy Christmas decorations. I love using fresh evergreens, magnolia leaves, extra-large pinecones, eucalyptus, cryptomeria that I cut from my own yard, lots of red berries, poinsettias, feathers, and other natural elements. To me, the more natural it is—in any setting—the prettier it is. Of course, I’ll add ornaments that I think are very beautiful—like the vintage mercury glass ones—and textures like velvet and burlap.” The designer also likes for her holiday additions to happily coexist with the accessories that are there in all seasons, which not only makes the transition feel more natural but also makes the holiday scheme more unique. “In each room,” she says, “I’ll go in and decide where the focal points will be [for the holiday decorations], choosing the best surfaces, but I don’t go in and clear everything off—I like to work with what’s there.”

Because the holidays are a time for gathering and celebration, Thompson notes, seasonal décor choices are also about hospitality and how you plan to use your home to entertain. “When you’ve worked hard to make your house feel special, you want to share it with loved ones,” she says. Because the hosting schedule is likely to include gatherings of various sizes, Thompson keeps her decorations adaptable, especially in her dining room. “I start with the sideboard, and then repeat the same elements on the dining room table. I keep the table decorations low and simple for dinner parties, and then I add fullness and height for large gatherings, where food will be served buffet-style. It has to be easy to transition, to go back and forth without starting all over,” she explains.

Holiday décor—like year-round home décor, according to Thompson, is all about how you experience it—how it makes you feel. “You’ll be happier with the result, almost always, if you use restraint and edit, edit, edit. Just because you have had something in your attic for years doesn’t mean you have to use it. But definitely showcase those things that do evoke special memories of years past,” Thompson says. The same approach applies, she says, to how to make the exterior decorations cohesive with the interior ones and to help one room flow into the next: “The transition shouldn’t be jarring—you should be delighted by the subtle differences, but not startled.”

Even beyond the elements of interior design, Thompson suggests that the spirit of the holiday season itself is a feeling that’s nurtured by her surroundings: “Every night I light special Christmas-scented candles and turn on Christmas music. I make a point to buy a new Christmas album each year, so I have a large collection of old favorites.” From the delicious food, to the presence of loved ones, to the beautiful packages under the tree, Thompson says, “everything about Christmas makes me feel like I’m home.”

Design Resources

Contractor Parkinson Building Group, Little Rock, (501) 954-8570, parkinsonbuildinggroup.com

Holiday design Mona Thompson and Zac Woodiel, Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com

Interior design Mona Thompson and Talena Ray, Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com

Landscape design Landscape Architecture Inc., Little Rock, (501) 374-5610, lai-ar.com

Landscape—installation The Good Earth Garden Center, Little Rock, (501) 868-4666, thegoodearthgarden.com

Appliances AIMCO Equipment Company, Little Rock, (501) 228-0808, aimcoequipment.com

Fabrics Cynthia East, Little Rock, (501) 663-0460, cynthiaeastfabrics.com; Designer Effects, Little Rock, (501) 661-4070

Flooring Aloha Hardwood Flooring, Bryant, (501) 944-1089, arkansashardwoodflooring.com

Furniture Cobblestone & Vine, Little Rock, (501) 664-4249, West Little Rock, (501) 219-3676, cobblestoneandvine.com; Marshall Clements, Little Rock, (501) 663-1828, West Little Rock, (501) 954-7900, marshallclements.com; Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com

Garage doors, fireplaces, and central vacuum Royal Overhead Door, Mabelvale, (501) 455-3667, royaldoors.com

Holiday decorations Tanarah Luxe Floral, Little Rock, (501) 372-1400, designsbytanarah.com; Tipton & Hurst, locations throughout central Arkansas, (501) 666-3333, tiptonhurst.com

Lighting Providence Design, Little Rock, (501) 372-1886, providenceltddesign.com; The Shade Above, Little Rock, (501) 902-4200, theshadeabove.com

Painting—decorative Angelfish Studios, Little Rock, (501) 960-4826, angelfishstudios.net

Tile and stonework Acme Brick, Tile & Stone, locations throughout the state, acmebricktileandstone.com; ProSource of Little Rock, North Little Rock, (501) 758-0801, prosourcewholesale.com/littlerock

Upholstery Howard’s Upholstery Shop, Little Rock, (501) 225-0476

Window treatments Mountjoy’s Custom Draperies, Mabelvale, (501) 455-2216