Everyone complains about how early on they start to see Christmas advertisements and decorations, but the truth is, a chosen few of us at Neave Decor can’t get enough of it.
For Neave’s holiday décor team, this festive season can’t begin soon enough, and it’s always over too soon — and this past holiday season was our busiest and best season ever!
Decking the halls at PJ Clarkes
In addition to many wonderful residential projects, Neave’s holiday décor team also had the opportunity to lend our holiday flair to one of New York’s most successful restaurant groups.
The owner of PJ Clarke’s is an existing Neave customer, and he asked if we would give each of his restaurant’s three locations a distinct flair for the Christmas season. We were thrilled, of course!
Just like Manhattan’s many neighborhoods, each PJ Clarke’s location has a distinct feel — and a clientele to match — that we wanted to remain faithful to while designing our décor.
For instance, the 63rd Street location, across the street from the iconic Lincoln Center, got a classic, old-fashioned New York feel. We proposed a red, green and gold color palette, with vintage decorations and a little whimsy (think brightly-colored ball garlands and colorful nutcrackers) to add sparkle to its Upper West Side locale.
Downtown, steps from Ground Zero and the heart of New York’s financial district, PJ Clarke’s on the Hudson got the Mad Men treatment. (Martinis are always in season, after all!) The color scheme was all red and green, with playful touches to take the edge off after a long day on the trading floor. (Our favorite part: a topiary reindeer who stood at the entrance wearing sunglasses and a tie, taking a gander at the menu!)
And back in Midtown, the location at 55th and 3rd got Christmas with an understated, masculine spin: lights, garland and colored ribbon accenting framed photography. Sidecar, PJ Clarke’s bar next-door, got similar natural touches with an extra nod to Hanukkah, too: a tasteful menorah and whimsical dreidel ornaments hanging from some of the greenery.
Back at home
There are few greater joys for a designer than seeing your designs come to life at the height of their beauty, and this was no exception. Driving around New York at Christmastime, taking photographs of our hard work come to fruition was a wonderful gift!
Closer to home, we got another gift this holiday season: a photo on the cover of Hudson Valley Connoisseur, a magazine all about refined living in our area.
We also expanded our holiday decor services into Connecticut. We never dreamed how much we’d have to be thankful for at Thanksgiving!
So, sure — it’s January. While many already have their eyes on Cupid’s arrow, the leprechaun’s pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow, or a big Easter basket full of chocolate eggs…we’ll just be over here, dreaming of a white Christmas.