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Deering Estate is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Historic Holiday décor. This year’s theme, A Jazzy Holiday, honors the 100th anniversary of the Stone House, which was built during the roaring 1920s decade.
Now until Jan. 6, the Deering Estate is decked out in pieces that reflect the glitz and glamour of this beloved time in American history.
The 1920s was a decade that began with prosperous growth in the United States. World War I was over, as was the Spanish Influenza pandemic, and the economy was booming.
This joy and comfort were reflected in several holiday traditions. During Christmas, families would gather over large meals, with hens and ducks included as main dishes. Children toys reflected the spirit of the times by using push and rod mechanisms and other technological advances. Popular gifts to children during this time consisted of Ferris wheels, little red wagons, yo-yos, and pedal cars.
Entire communities also celebrated together with many towns practicing tree lighting ceremonies after President Coolidge began the country’s celebration of Christmas in 1923 by lighting the National Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.
Following on this joyous tradition, A Jazzy Holiday at the Deering Estate reflects upon the lavish elegance of the early 20th Century by taking visitors through a captivating stroll inside the main buildings — the Richmond Cottage and the Stone House.
The extraordinarily elegant décor showcases the work of Deering Estate’s Designer in Residence Alfredo Brito, who led designers Fanny Mesa, Miguel Garcia, and Rosalba Calvo as a team through a journey reimagining the Deering family as they would have celebrated on this occasion. Together, they managed to nail the 1920s holiday aesthetic. Their designs were largely based on the cultural explosion that jazz and film provided during this decade.
The dining room in the Richmond Cottage resembles a celebratory holiday dinner, similar to one the Deering family would have hosted during their time at the residence, and the library in the Stone House takes inspiration from the Golden Age of cinema with details that remind guests of the magic of vintage Hollywood.
However, the holiday spirit is not only found as A Jazzy Holiday in the main two buildings, it is also sprinkled all throughout the estate with additional thematic designs from other constituents and sponsors such as the 100 Ladies of Deering, Pottery Barn, Palmetto Bay Garden Club, and Pinecrest Garden Club. Each group took hold of a different area and transformed it into a glorious holiday stroll. A variety of Christmas trees are situated throughout the Estate, including a marvelous 17-foot tree in the Great Hall and one decorated with pink flamingos in the Richmond Cottage’s sitting room, among other classic but fantastically decorated trees and garlands in the rooms, porches, and corridors of the houses.
Following is an interview with Designer in Residence Alfredo Brito discussing his inspirations, challenges behind the designs, and favorite aspects of the project.
Q: Are there certain aspects of the design you are excited for visitors to experience?
A: Yes, as our city of Miami is so contemporary, there are a few historical places. I like when the guests come to the estate and experience a pioneer or a Deering’s 1920s feel in the historical houses.
Q: What specific elements did you add to turn Deering Estate into a 1920s holiday festival?
A: I added a collection of black and white photos of 1920s movie stars like Chaplin, Garbo, Valentino, Buster Keaton, just to mention a few. I also added other accessories and original newspaper and magazines from that era.
Q: What are some of the main inspirations behind the design?
A: My inspiration for the Richmond Cottage is the little isle in front of it and how the cottage becomes a bird sanctuary every afternoon. The only difference is that the majority of birds visiting the isle are white ibises and the ones I used in my decorations are multicolor for a more festive effect. In the library, my inspiration is the Silver Screen of the 1920s. The tree is decorated with director’s megaphones, cinema trophies, and movie scene clap boards. There are pictures of movie stars of this era on top of the bookshelves as well.
Q: Is there any main challenge behind putting this event together?
A: Not really, this is my fifth year and I have a team that knows me, which makes my job so much more fun and relaxing.
Q: What does the 1920s art deco theme mean to you?
A: I will describe it in one word: “decadent.”
During this holiday season, make sure to stop by Deering Estate to experience this year’s take on the Historic Holiday décor. It will be on display daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Christmas Day. Tickets can be purchased through the link at https://miamidadeparks.com/FL/miami-dade-county-parks-recreation/catalog/index/6.
To see more #Miaminews from #Aventura to #Coralgables to #SouthMiami, #Pinecrest, #Palmetto Bay and #Cutler Bay and all throughout #Miamidadecounty go to:
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