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The Charm of Christmas

Formal sitting room decorated with special holiday items in blue, including Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates
A formal sitting room near the front door showcases special holiday items. They refer to it as Don’t-Touch-Grandma’s-Stuff room.

An Ankeny home exudes holiday tradition in colorful and formal style.

Story by Carol McGarvey
Photography by tim Abramowitz
Featured in November/December 2020

If you’re lucky enough to know Deborah and David Adams of Ankeny, then you know they are saving you a trip to Virginia. Their home at Christmas showcases apple cones topped with welcoming pineapples, along with swags and garlands of fresh greenery, all so reminiscent of Colonial Williamsburg.

The couple, both natives of Waterloo, moved to Ankeny in 2011, when David, an engineer, retired as operations manager of the tractor division of John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works. They moved to be closer to their two children and three grandchildren.

Deborah gives a shout-out to her late father for her love of traditional holiday details. “He and I did the Christmas decorating, and he wired beautiful pine cone wreaths (no Styrofoam allowed).”

As she grew older, she relished the pages of Colonial Homes magazine. “The high point of interior design that appealed to me was the second half of the 1700s,” she explains.

In Waterloo the couple lived in a 1940s Colonial-style home. In Ankeny they opted for a 2005 transitional-style home with traditional details, such as rich dark wood and a two-way fireplace with one side opening into the kitchen. “I was so taken with the kitchen,” Deborah says. “The fireplace clinched it for me.”

Kitchen table decorated for holidays with Spode china, white lantern, red goblets, holiday ribbons
On the kitchen side of the double fireplace, the table is ready for a festive meal. It is set with Spode china that belonged to Deborah’s mother.
Lively blend

The holiday decorations are a lively blend of American, Scandinavian, and blue-and-white china and stoneware items. David has given Deborah a Royal Copenhagen Christmas plate every year of their marriage, 45 years. They are displayed around the walls of a formal sitting room near the front door. “We refer to that room as the don’t-touch-Grandma’s-stuff room,” Deborah says. Decorated in light blue and silver, the sitting room features a winter scene covered with a glass cloche; bowls with white, blue, and silver shiny balls; a small tabletop tree; and snowflake designs.

In the living room a big Christmas tree—all gold in design—sparkles with detail. Deborah earlier had an eclectic tree with ornaments collected during family travels. But now it’s primarily gold and shiny. “I try to shop sales after the holidays for the next year,” she says.

David has given Deborah a Royal Copenhagen Christmas plate every year of their marriage, 45 years.

Blue and white details herald the holidays, but the Adamses also enjoy other traditional pieces. Just as at Williamsburg, ceramic Staffordshire dogs decorate the warm and inviting room. In front of the two-way fireplace are a small cocktail table and chairs set for a holiday quiet moment. An apple cone with a pineapple on top adds an elegant and natural touch.

Large bookshelves holding Deborah’s many, many books add a comforting feel. “As a former junior high English teacher, that’s just what I do,” Deborah says. It’s not surprising that a Santa hat-sporting bust of the bard himself, William Shakespeare, guards the books.

Fireplace decorate with stockings, ribbons, greenery, and a white lantern
The fireplace is all ready for Santa’s visit.
Kitchen side

The table on the kitchen side of the double fireplace is set for a festive meal. Deborah enjoys using the Spode china that belonged to her mother. She likes to contrast a blue-and-white tablecloth with a plaid runner for the table. Red goblets make the tablescape pop with color.

Other details include botanical prints over the fireplace and a collection of Rowe Pottery pieces from Cambridge, Wisconsin. A corner cabinetry nook displays a Candy Shop, loved by the grandchildren. Vintage cookie cutters, candy canes, and Santa and snowman figures make it a grandchild magnet. Fresh greenery swags and garlands carry out the theme. Other details include a wassail bowl in the corner and a pineapple over the sliding door to the deck.

In open shelves Deborah displays her collection of blue-and-white china. The white kitchen sparkles with holiday details, including oversize white lanterns.

The couple keeps David’s Scandinavian heritage alive in the kitchen. “We make lefse, along with Norwegian meatballs, potatoes, and pickled cabbage,” Deborah says.

“It’s all just so fun. It’s a special time of the year to keep traditions alive.” •

Formal sitting room decorated with special holiday items in blue, including Royal Copenhagen Christmas plates
A formal sitting room near the front door showcases special holiday items. They refer to it as Don't-Touch-Grandma's-Stuff room.
Holiday tree decorated in gold details
A traditional tree in the living room sparkles in gold details.
Statue of William Shakespeare decorated with a Santa hat
Even the bard himself, William Shakespeare, wears a Santa hat.
Colonial Williamsburg apple cone with a pineapple on top on a decorated cocktail table in front of the two-way fireplace
On the living room side of the two-way fireplace, a small cocktail table is set for a quiet visit. A Colonial Williamsburg apple cone with a pineapple on top is a festive addition.
Blue and white pieces with greenery decorate a fireplace mantle
Throughout her home, Deborah pairs blue and white holiday pieces with greenery.
Colonial Williamsburg apple cone with a pineapple on top on a small cocktail table
On the living room side of the two-way fireplace, a small cocktail table is set for a quiet visit. A Colonial Williamsburg apple cone with a pineapple on top is a festive addition.
A corner decorated in a candy stripe theme with plenty of candy canes, a porcelain santa, pinecone wreath with cookie cutters
Whimsical details delight visiting grandchildren.
Dining table centerpiece with a white lantern, holiday ribbons, red goblets
A white lantern with holiday ribbons and trims is the perfect centerpiece.
Traditional wassail bowl next to blue and white mugs and a green wreath
The traditional wassail bowl is ready for guests.
Holiday cookies on a blue and white plate next to a decorated red and green pail
Throughout her home, Deborah pairs blue and white holiday pieces with red and green.
Holiday decorated table with blue and white pieces, red goblets, red plaid chargers, gingerbread cookies
Throughout her home, Deborah pairs blue and white holiday pieces with red and green. Note the red goblets and the red plaid chargers.
Fireplace decorate with stockings, ribbons, greenery, and a white lantern
The fireplace is all ready for Santa's visit.
Decorated kitchen table with Spode china, white lantern, holiday ribbons
On the kitchen side of the double fireplace, the table is ready for a festive meal. It is set with Spode china that belonged to Deborah's mother.
Kitchen table decorated for holidays with Spode china, white lantern, red goblets, holiday ribbons
On the kitchen side of the double fireplace, the table is ready for a festive meal. It is set with Spode china that belonged to Deborah's mother.
Blue and white plates and dishware decorated for the holidays
Throughout her home, Deborah decorates with blue and white holiday pieces.
Table decorated with blue and white holiday plates and ornaments with greenery and pinecones
Throughout her home, Deborah pairs blue and white holiday pieces with green.
Blue and white dishes decorate a writing desk
Blue and white dishes decorate a writing desk in Don't-Touch-Grandma's-Stuff room.

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