Date:  December 1, 2023  |   Story: Tiffany Adams  |   Photography: Rett Peek  |   Styling: Lauren Cerrato  |  

Silks A Bloom adds a layer of bright holiday décor to a cheerful Little Rock residence

Pink is a way of life for Wendy and Ray Parker. Walk into their traditional-style home and you’ll find whimsical touches of the accent color on everything from the kitchen barstools to the art glass in the living room—and the holidays are no different. “Christmas does not have to match your home, but it should be something that brings you joy,” says the couple’s longtime floral designer, Dale Aldridge of Silks A Bloom. “Pink is her joy; it’s what she loves.”

For Dale, creating this sense of joy has been a lifelong passion, even as far back as his childhood days in Magnolia. “When I was less than 10 years old, I remember sneaking out to the shed in the night while my parents and sister were sleeping. I got all of our Christmas decorations out, put them up, and simply could not wait to see the looks on their faces when they came into the room,” he recalls. Now the company’s co-owner and managing partner, Dale has worked with Silks A Bloom for more than two decades—a role that has allowed him to fill area homes with holiday cheer and even watch many of his clients’ children grow up through the years.

For the Parkers’ home, he played up the everyday palette with the addition of whimsical ornaments, glittering life-size Nutcracker dolls, and even a jolly old fellow who is normally dressed in red. Having designed and installed their Christmas décor for years, Dale has seen the couple through different design iterations, including a move to a lighter palette, which complements a recent refresh of the interiors. “As she redesigned her home she brightened the Christmas décor, moving into pastels that still sparkle,” he says. Leaving no room untouched, Dale deftly wove the seasonal touches into the rooms where the family celebrates and as well as those where they spend quiet time. “It’s special to me that clients let me in and trust me to make an imprint on such a memorable time of the year,” he says.

Bold Botanicals
The dining area’s light palette with pops of pink adheres to the aesthetic of the nearby kitchen. “The colors on the chair back fabric just happened to flow with the Christmas scheme,” Dale says. Wendy found the Barry Thomas painting at his gallery and asked him to customize the piece with a layer of pink to better match the space. Holiday greenery placed in the table’s everyday bowl is mixed with faux peonies.

Living in Color
In the living room, a neutral backdrop provides a serene setting for the holiday décor. In moving to a pastel Christmas palette, Wendy also opted for smaller, more classic ornaments, building the collection over the past couple of years. These adorn the tree as well as a mix of real and Natural Touch greenery along the mantel and play off the colors in the Barry Thomas painting of a nun seen over the mantel. “My main thing about our home is I want people to feel comfortable when they are here,” Wendy says. “I don’t want it to be a museum. I want you to feel happy here.”

A Visit from Santa
Having wanted a Santa for years, Wendy was delighted to find one dressed in pink. “I remember when I was a little girl there was a house that had a Santa coming out of the chimney, and I thought it was so neat,” Wendy says. “Now, our neighborhood kids love this one and come to get their picture made with him.”

Front and Center
Dale complemented the fuchsia cut-velvet leopard fabric on the barstools with cool-colored seasonal pieces displayed in a nest of greenery on the spacious island. Shimmering ice crystals on the nutcrackers mimic the crystal accents on the chandeliers. A preserved boxwood wreath adorned with a large velvet bow brings a hint of the season to the kitchen window.

“It all makes me so happy. It goes up before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy it for longer.”
—Wendy Parker, homeowner

All is Calm
Peace and tranquility were top of mind when considering the primary bedroom’s classic, white and gold design. Boxwood wreaths on the mirrors mimic the look seen over the kitchen sink, bringing a subtle hint of holiday flair to the room. Designer Debi Davis helped Wendy update this room and her office (below) during the pandemic. “I was stuck in a dark, gloomy office and it was depressing,” she recalls. “The whole desire to go with a lighter palette stemmed from this update.”

Sunny Spot
In the family room (below), the artwork over the mantel set the tone for the addition of yellow to the holiday décor. Ray’s uncle painted the special piece for his mother, and it was handed down to the couple. Pink accents, from the trim on the ottoman to the pillows, carry the signature color into the room’s everyday scheme.

Design Resources
Architect (original) Rodney Parham Contractor (kitchen renovation) Chris DeBin, Chris DeBin Construction Christmas design Dale Aldridge, Silks A Bloom Interior design (office and bedroom) Debi Davis, Debi Davis Interior Design Accessories Cobblestone & Vine, Providence Design, and Urban Pad Appliances Metro Appliances & More Art Jill Rosenwald, Barry Thomas, and Steve Zieman Cabinetry Moody Cabinets Countertops Triton Stone Group Hardware PC Hardware Millwork Greenfield Millworks Painting Barger Painting Lighting and wallpaper Urban Pad Window coverings Cobblestone & Vine