{From the 2023 Holiday Magazine}
Written By Megin Potter | Photos by Susan Blackburn Photography
Give Santa something to rave about this year with inspiration from a home with wildly realistic greenery, pinecones gathered on garlands, and sentimental homemade antique ornaments scattered among heirloom furniture pieces.
Michele Boiani inherited her holiday decorating traditions from her grandmother, Elsie Panza, who displayed as many as 45 themed trees – inside and out, at home and at Panza’s Restaurant - some even hung upside down from the ceiling! The gingerbread and doll houses were also dressed in their holiday best as carolers sung by the piano, and the entire family gathered for traditional Italian fare including briny stuffed artichokes, capellini with a vibrant puttanesca sauce, sweet baklava, and roasted chestnuts.
Beginning in October, Elsie collected beads, sequins, plus other bits and bobs, and crafted them into ornaments that she used to decorate her own home but also gave away as gifts. In the late 1980s, the Panzas’ 1939 house was featured on PBS and recognized by former Governor Mario Cuomo. Elsie’s handmade ornaments also graced Queen Elizabeth’s residence and hung in the White House for their Bicentennial celebrations.
In addition to being an inviting ambiance for the Panza family and friends, the property hosted numerous holiday home tours, with the proceeds used to benefit the Bernard and Millie Duker Children's Hospital at the Albany Medical Center, and other charities.
Since Elsie’s passing, Christmas has again become a production in the house, albeit a smaller one, as every room - even the bathroom, hallways, and in-between spaces, are decked out for the holiday.
“I have to pay homage to what was her legacy,” said Michele, who has renovated and reignited the holiday fanfare since moving back to the family home as an adult. “The whole experience of Christmas has changed for me.”
Timeless Sparkle
Mixing up metallics adds sophistication without losing the whimsy when embellished pillows and opulent trees are coated with gold. Statuesque lamps and Roman-inspired décor paired with pops of lime green allow each piece to shine.
Atop the flocked tree, snow-dusted ornaments, gold, and silver adorn the frosted branches where furry owls in various sizes, carved oversized acorns, wooden dowels, and glittery balls made from corrugated cardboard and twine, flatter the wintery scene.
Playful Pinks
In the hall, a fun pink tree sings, “C’mon let’s go party!” with a cohesive blend of animal prints, pearly sprigs, and the glamour of gold.
For a captivating, full-bodied entrance, iridescent whites and the weightlessness of wispy feathers fanning out from the tree are anchored by a lush fur skirt.
Let it Snow!
Keeping the home fires burning in the den, the crackling cast iron stove warms a worn leather chair draped in plaid flannel.
Softly glowing white lights and layers of blues, greens, and coppery golds create a welcoming home for décor depicting the quintessential family road trip.
Down-Home Holiday
Wrangling Western charm in our neck of the woods with touches of turquoise, burnished golds, and black baubles, this cowboy Christmas scene is highlighted with native American symbolism in heartwarming vignettes and with a tree topped in a wrought iron bull’s head decorated with dramatic arrows.
Woolen buffalo, patterned antelope, and oxen roam among the tree’s branches, while woven snowflakes and natural wood accents merry up the mantle into a beautifully repurposed headboard
Country Christmas
Horsemanship takes on a Saratoga-themed twist in another bedroom where a riding cap and dried grasses are joined by a woodsy mantle and a rustic tree. Festive on their own in their home by the fire, knitted stockings and a comfy throw create a cozy spot for a long winter’s nap.
Swapping out the standard fare for unexpected ornaments, a braided garland, and bunches of blankets, this room has a classic look that will continue to delight year after year.
Utilitarian Space Spruce Ups
Pared-down and almost minimalist by comparison, the most-used rooms in Michele’s home feel festive thanks to a limited color palette of whites and browns, tabletop evergreens, and a collection of natural finds.
In the bathroom, an ultra-slim illuminated tree is squeezed-in amid a selection of pinecones and seashells, creating a clean, but jolly look.
In the kitchen, velveteen fawns, natural fibers, and sweet floral scents cook up a deliciously cheery mood without taking up too much space.
…Oh, what an Enchanting Christmas indeed!
