“I love a holiday,” laughs Tana Barlow. “I typically decorate our home for every holiday, but my favorite is Christmas.” After designing and building the house of her family’s dreams in Madison, she fully embraces the season and loves to begin decorating in early November.
It was 2013 when Tana and Dannie Barlow left their Natchez home to relocate to Madison. At the time, the couple had their four-year-old daughter, Stella, and ten-month-old son, Knox, and the young family settled in a wonderful home in the Ironwood Plantation neighborhood. As the children grew older, the Barlows needed more space and purchased a four-acre property in the same community. The couple worked with Ridgeland architect Uriel Pineda of Design Studio to create the single-story Tudor-style home that would ideally suit their family’s lifestyle. “I have always loved Tudor homes, usually found in older neighborhoods in small towns,” Tana notes. Pineda used his talents to design the classic façade with a perfect interior layout on a single-story plan. Construction began in 2016, and the family moved into their home the following February.
Months after, the family prepared for their first Christmas season in their home, and Tana was more than ready. “We are a family who likes to enjoy the holidays for as long as possible,” she adds. Her love of all things Christmas comes from her parents, who also decorate for the holiday with passion. “My mom and I really love to decorate together,” Tana notes. “I usually go to her house to help with her 12-foot flocked tree, and she will come to our home to inspire fresh ideas.” Upon arrival at the Barlow house, guests are greeted by a pair of galvanized tin soldiers flanking the arched entrance to the front doors. Reminiscent of the classic, stately soldiers her parents displayed at her childhood home in Natchez, Tana knew these were the perfect additions to their exterior decor upon discovery.
Although she loves the traditional reds and greens of the holiday, Tana is not one to shy away from bright colors, and she seamlessly blends her eclectic, whimsical style with such classics as her grandmother’s formal Christmas china and other traditional heirlooms and furnishings. Graphic wallpaper in the foyer hints at the boldness in spaces beyond, and a life-size Papa Noel by Glitterville perches on the gorgeous mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinet. “I really don’t follow a theme generally, but I do like my dining room, where the larger tree goes, a little more formal,” Tana notes. The large floor mirror is draped with fresh garland and loads of oversized ornaments hanging from multicolored ribbons at various lengths, while the neighboring flocked tree coordinates beautifully and colorfully. Her collection of Christopher Radko ornaments and other sentimental pieces from her and Dannie’s newlywed days are displayed here. An assortment of silver and white glass Christmas trees is scattered among tall candlesticks on the dining table. This adds elegance and sparkle under the modern chandelier intertwined with golden stars, garlands, and satin ribbons. In the living room, however, the tree features a much more fun vibe and shows off the children’s homemade ornaments, which Tana laughs that sometimes need to be glued back together. She also adds that while she is a maximalist in her collection of ornaments on each tree, the family has unfortunately seen a few trees tip over. “Take my advice, and ensure you have plenty of ornaments on all sides of your tree, not just the front everyone sees!” The mantel in the living room is filled with unique and whimsical glass ornaments peeking through the fresh garland of cypress and cedar. The family’s stockings hang below, and piles of brightly colored presents are stacked under the tree.
Among the various nutcrackers and bottlebrush trees, Tana has also acquired an eclectic assortment of unique and fun seasonal figures. “Some of my favorite figurines are from artist Penny McAllister,” she notes. “When she passed away several years ago, my husband scoured the internet and found a few more special pieces for our collection.” Another beloved set is handmade ceramic Santa Clauses by Madison-based Pickenpaugh Pottery. Each figure features a unique long, curly beard, glass beads, or vintage lace patterns in the robes. “They release a limited number each year, and there is always a line into the studio on Black Friday,” Tana notes. “My mom, sister, and I have met the last five years to pick ours out. It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season.” These unique pieces are displayed in the dining room and are always a conversation starter. As she usually rotates her décor around the house year after year, Tana loves to group the family’s nativity sets together, including acrylic pieces by Brentwood, Tennessee, artist Lauren Dunn, and a set that was a treasured gift from her father.
Each Christmas season, the Barlows open their home for any and all holiday entertaining opportunities, and December is packed with parties and get-togethers. “Everyone loves our home during the holidays because there is literally no room that is not decorated,” Tana laughs. Even the laundry space features fresh greenery framing the window and a playful papier mâché’ garland accenting the light fixture. The family has hosted mother/ daughter gingerbread house decorating parties, ornament swaps for their son’s class, and progressive dinners for neighborhood friends. With their children now 10 and 14, the family must plan in advance for the holidays. “The season is so busy, so we really have to carve out family time to spend together,” Tana adds. “We always host a big dinner at our house during the holidays.” Luckily, their family lives nearby, so these gatherings are convenient.
These wonderful occasions with family and friends make the decorating extravagance all worth it. The Barlow residence is a holiday wonderland filled with bright colors and whimsical designs. From top to bottom, Tana has created a home bursting with the eclectic, wonderful spirit of Christmas.
