The Dubard family immigrated from England to the United States in the 1800s and became successful farmers in South Carolina. When the opportunity arose to purchase land in Mississippi in 1837, some of these members relocated to what is now Grenada County. William Mitchell Dubard built a home on First Street in Grenada for his wife and five children. The two sons inherited land halfway between Grenada and Holcomb, now known as Dubard. The acreage was separated by the community’s general store, which also served as the post office. One son farmed and lived on the land to the west of the store and the other to the east. In the early 1900s, son Lewis Adam Dubard and his wife Alma Beck Dubard built a large white Neoclassical-style house on their part of the property towards Holcomb. The stunning home was designed to feature wide porches and symmetrical windows. Through the decades, the house has been lovingly passed from each generation to an ancestor. Cindy Dubard Nobile grew up in the house previously owned by her grandparents. Cindy’s parents, a local doctor and homemaker, raised three girls and two boys in the home.
When Cindy and David Nobile married 13 years ago, they acquired a blended family of six children. The decision to purchase and renovate the family residence came with excitement and challenges. Still, the couple was prepared to create a home that met their needs and desires without destroying the historical and architectural significance. Cindy, an interior designer by education and trade, took on the renovation task with mixed emotions while completely aware of the sentiment, love, and feelings toward the spaces by family members. With careful judgment, Cindy worked her magic by lightening the original dark wood in the spaces and brightening the rooms overall. “There is so much history in the house, and I’ve tried to keep as many traditions of the past and incorporate them into our future memories,” notes Cindy. “What better traditions and memories than those that come during the holidays, especially Christmas!”
Cindy’s creative personality shines during the holiday season, and she is teased lovingly by her children over her extravagant seasonal décor. Armed with imagination and inspiration, she crafts classic yet modern holiday designs that improve year after year. She loves to create her unique seasonal style but also adores opinions and the helping hands of her equally imaginative friends. In particular, Honey Simmons of The Flower Company adds unique floral artistry to each space through garlands and wreaths filled with fresh, seasonal surprises—the two work together to fill the home with absolute beauty each Christmas.
A nod to the home’s history, Cindy tends to be more traditional with decorations, though some spaces are more playful and child-oriented since their six children are all married, and 12 grandchildren have been added to the family. The front porch is draped with classic fresh green garlands festooned with big red bows, and loads of red poinsettias are displayed on the steps. Wreaths on the front doors are filled with red, gold, and green ribbons of all patterns and textures, and the porch swing welcomes with seasonal pillows and cozy blankets. Through the front entrance, guests experience the classic elegance of the stunning center tree in the foyer. Historically, the main Christmas tree has always been displayed in the foyer—now referred to as the Piano Room—and during her childhood, it was decorated on December 16, Cindy’s birthday. One of four displayed in the house, this tree still stands tall in its place of honor, though the decorating begins much earlier in the season, allowing ample time for friends and family to enjoy its beauty. Ornaments old and new adorn the tree, some being sentimental pieces dating back over 40 years. Filled with wide ribbon and an abundance of sparkle, the crowing jewel of the tree is the gold star on top. “I look forward to evenings before Christmas when the whole house is decorated; we can sit and enjoy our surroundings and anticipate the days ahead,” Cindy smiles. “I am very thankful to call this my home.”
The dining room retains most of the house’s original features and showcases Cindy’s mother’s antique furnishings and precious holiday china. The crystal chandelier and silver serving pieces sparkle with the addition of metallic ornaments and luxurious ribbons in soft pastel hues interspersed throughout. “I love being able to mesh my new decorations with items special to my mother,” Cindy states. The living room, foyer, and front bedrooms are equally formal and designed with angels and nativity scenes to keep the real meaning of Christmas visible to all. Beautiful mixtures of fresh and faux garlands decorate each mantel, drape over the tall furniture, and frame the windows. Each is uniquely adorned with silk and velvet ribbons, delicate glass ornaments, and sprigs of texture that complement the space around.
The kitchen and keeping room are filled with bright colors and an array of Santas and holiday decor. The family’s collection of colorful stockings, now numbering 22 with the anticipation of more to come, are lined up on the bookshelves. The kitchen boasts the original sign for the old Dubard store and post office, adding a unique sentiment to the modernized space. An expansive island with numerous barstools and a welcoming lounge area helps to create the ultimate gathering area during the crisp, cool days.
Renovated from one of the old barns on the property, the outdoor living room includes a kitchen, sitting area, and dining. Cindy laughs that she “overdecorates” this area because it is a favorite spot for the family and grandchildren. By using a rainbow of bright colors, lots of ornaments, and greenery, Cindy creates a cheerful design and adds wildlife and rustic décor treasured by her boys. Cindy and David love to entertain, especially during the holiday, hosting parties for friends and family. The outdoor space is David’s territory, where he takes over the grilling and entertaining children, friends, and hunters. A tree filled with ornaments and bright ribbons is adjacent to the firepit and television area and frames a perfect spot to watch the games. With easy access to the rest of the property, the space opens to the grounds, which are ideal for hosting large crowds and grand gatherings.
Cindy celebrates establishing new traditions while honoring the old. Her grandmother created traditions and memories in the home that have lasted decades, and her mother continued the magic with the next generation. A special tradition Cindy carries with her grandchildren is baking cookies from scratch for the holidays, boxing them, and delivering them to elderly family and friends, a mission they all adore. “Now it’s my responsibility to continue to make memories my children and grandchildren will remember,” she notes. “My goal is to make every day a holiday in the Dubard home.”
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