A Traditional New England Home Full of Christmas Cheer

When Erin James and Jasper Snoek moved into this Cambridge, Massachusetts, home, every room was painted gray — the polar opposite of their style. “I’ve always been drawn to sumptuous colors and interesting wallpaper. All of my adventurousness comes out in decorating,” says Erin, a public health researcher. She and Jasper, a research scientist, worked with designer Cecilia Casagrande to liven up the house. The richly colored walls and mix of modern and antique furniture are eye-catching any time of year, but especially during the holidays, when glass ornaments and twinkly lights add a sense of magic.

The house was built in the early 1900s but had been stripped down to the studs by a developer before Erin, Jasper and their 1-year-old son, Hugo, arrived. Five years later, there’s not a drab wall in sight, and the home is the perfect spot to celebrate Christmas.

Yellow walls (painted Babouche by Farrow & Ball) make this entry sunny year-round. A tabletop tree and ornaments by Bethany Lowe Designs and a red-and-white striped basket add holiday cheer.

The couple went all in on aubergine, painting the built-ins and fireplace surround the same deep hue as the walls (Brinjal by Farrow & Ball). The color is the perfect backdrop for a green velvet sofa from Arhaus and a tree trimmed in gold ribbon. “We already thought our living room was beautiful,” says Jasper, “but the first time we put up a tree, we realized the dark-purple walls were made for the holidays.” They found the love seat at an antiques store and had it reupholstered in patterned yellow velvet. The abstract art above the mantel (from Four Hands) ties the palette together.