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Every year, the Deering Estate undergoes a magical décor renovation in order to welcome in the holiday season. This year is no different and the Deering Estate will be ushering in a new theme for the season: Holidays in the Gilded Age. Nostalgia will fill guests’ hearts as they walk through the decorations that recall this glittering era of the past. This year, the Historic Holiday Décor will last from November 26th, 2021, to January 6th, 2022.
The Gilded Age was a time of increased growth for the United States. During the late 19th century, an influx of European immigrants reached the shores of the American coastline, bringing in their cultures and customs into the US. This mix allowed for an interior design that reflected both the Old World and New World innovations. The US, as a result of this immigration, also became more prosperous, advancing in both industry and technology.
This mix of European cultures allowed for the adoption of many different Christmas and holiday traditions. One example is the Christmas tree. Many Americans first saw this custom in the homes of German-Americans. The media quickly picked this up and spread the practice to different areas nationwide. Businesses saw this growth and began to create ornaments for the trees such as wax angels and popcorn strings.
The Gilded Age also marks a special date for the Deering Estate. Charles Deering began to spend his winters in Florida in the 1890s. During these trips, his interest in South Florida grew. The Historic Holiday Décor allows guests to witness the designs Charles Deering might have seen during his first trips to Florida.
Here is an interview with Alfredo Brito, the Designer in Residence at Deering Estate and leader of the design project, and Melissa Diaz, the Museum Curator at Deering Estate. They discuss their favorite parts of the Historic Holiday Décor and the work that is put into the whole renovation:
Q: What characteristics does that Estate have that make it such an attractive place to decorate for Christmas?
A: (Alfredo) The Estate is one of a kind place in South Florida. The main characteristic that inspires are the stories held inside the walls of the Deering Estate. As a designer, it ignites my imagination to think about how Charles Deering and his family celebrated the holidays and all the romance of that era.
Q: Are there any particular items that you enjoy adding into the residences for the holiday decor?
A: (Alfredo) Each year I add different themes to the Stone House. Last year was Vintage Florida and this year will be The Gilded Age so every year is full of new items depicting that theme.
Q: How do you manage to make sure that each residence has furnishings that match their time period? Is there any research involved?
A: (Alfredo) I do a lot of research in books, websites and actually talking to the Deering Estate staff. I started looking at what was happening in that era, important news that are relevant to my decoration, and added some more personal touches from the Estate and Mr. and Mrs. Deering.
Q: How does this change in decor offer a new and unique experience for visitors?
A: (Melissa) We work with a top team of interior designers to create a new and magical space to enjoy the holidays at the Deering Estate. By changing our theme each year, we provide our visitors with something new to look forward to each and every year. The selected themes all reflect aspects of our institutional history that visitors can explore through the holiday installations and thematic period rooms.
Q: What is the most challenging part of this Christmas redesign?
A: (Melissa) Every year we like to expand and enhance our holiday décor, so there is always a challenge to surpass what you have done in the past. It is an exciting challenge, and one that our designers, led by Alfredo Brito, are very adept at taking on and creating incredible installations every year.
Q: Are there any pieces of historical information that you like to represent with the change in decor?
A: (Melissa) This year, we are highlighting the Gilded Age, a period in American history from 1865 – 1900, an era where American philanthropists, like Charles Deering, brought art and design from Europe to their homes in the United States and created a distinctive and sumptuous culture that combined Old World European aesthetics with new American technologies. This period was also an important moment in the history of interior design when designers like Louis Comfort Tiffany and Candace Wheeler were decorating many important homes and spaces. This year’s holiday décor will highlight this rich moment in American history that established many of the grand historic house museums throughout the country including the Deering Estate.
People love the holidays for the warmth and joy they have to offer. People decorate their homes will all sorts of trinkets and participate in their favorite family traditions. This holiday season, consider adding Deering Estate to your list of activities to experience the holiday customs and décor of the gilded age!
Valeria is a junior at Doral Academy Charter High School. She is currently a Junior Ambassador for Miami Waterkeeper and a Deering Estate intern.
