REAL Exclusive Magazine

Jason Champion

Christmas Decorating, Coldwell Banker Style

By Ed Bertha

A special Coldwell Banker gathering held at Barbara Ackerman’s “Johnson Estate” listing on Longboat Key afforded me the opportunity to meet Jason Champion.

For those of you who don’t know Jason Champion he was one of the top five finalists on HGTV’s hit show, Design Star. He’s been featured on Trading Spaces as well as in The New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Home, Sarasota, Elle Décor, House Beautiful and on SIRIUS satellite.

The event was a collaborative showcase between Coldwell Banker’s Luxury Division, Previews® and Champion to stage a dining room. This wasn’t your normal dining room staging. This was deck the dining room out for Christmas while keeping a modern and scaled look. The result was an elegant holiday staged dining room made over by Champion with a classy and elegant feel that can last through the holiday season.

Jason says “I recommend using multiples of the same color, as long as it’s within the same family and hue to get the ultimate luxury look. Christmas is a fun time of year, so don’t limit your décor to the traditional red and green. The winter holidays are becoming more modern — with the trend this year definitely steering away from the traditional look and moving toward a more neutral color palette that can easily transition and last into the New Year’s holiday.”

To create a dramatic look, Jason recommends taking a lot of one item and repeating it everywhere, as he has done with the crystal branches, flowers and ornaments used throughout the room. Layering items like mirrors, glass and fabrics also helps to achieve a warm luxury look.

Jason’s five must-have holiday items:

• Decorative balls
• Fresh flowers
• Candles
• Fabrics
• Classic plates and flat wear

Jason says, “If your home is on the market decorating is a must!” It gives prospective homeowners an idea of the exciting possibilities.

Tips From Jason Champion:
 
Be sure to limit your traditional Christmas elements, a few go a long way.

Use multiples of the same color to create a more dramatic effect.

Shiny, lightweight fabrics make a huge impact. Drape it, scrunch it, use it as place settings, have fun with it.

Fabrics on the table give a soft, romantic touch by adding texture, color and patterns.

“I love mirrors on the table, it makes everything pop!”

Using clear glasses allows you to add another pop of color to the table, like the red wine featured above.

When it comes to ornaments, bigger is always better. Mixing high-end with low-end is always a great way to create a more dynamic and over-the-top look. 

Red and green are more traditional, but using gold and silver is a great way to bring a more modern, elegant touch to your home.

Always incorporate real flowers for a different level of energy in the room.

Candle lighting lends a more relaxed dining atmosphere. Replace your lighting with dimmers for ultimate control over the whole mood.

Jason may be reached at (941) 957-3200 or via email at jason@jasonchampionoutdoor.com.

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