What an unbelievable moment in Cheree Berry Paper & Design history to have been part of the creative team decorating the White House for the 2024 holiday season. Under the creative direction of Bryan Rafanelli of Rafanelli Events, working in collaboration with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, and designing alongside HMR Designs, we filled the State Dining Room with peace, light, and PAPER, PAPER, PAPER! Every detail of this BIG, blank entertaining space reflected a sense of nostalgia, craftsmanship, and community.
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE
We trimmed not one but two 16’ Fraser firs by tapping into age-old decorating traditions of using humble materials one might have at home, such as paper, candy and recycled ephemera, to craft wondrous ornamentations by hand. Paper link garland and tinsel, wrapping paper poppers, tissue paper-covered bonbons, bows cut from sheet music, vintage Christmas cards – enchanting discoveries adorned every branch and exuded a nostalgia for simpler, more tactile times.
WINDOWS FRAMED WITH INTRICATE PAPER ARTISTRY
To treat the windows in the State Dining Room – a White House holiday first! – we turned once again to paper. Velvet paper valances, paper curtains and paper wreaths added dimension while carrying splashes of bright color across every square foot. We sprinkled season’s greetings into the paper streamers that cascaded into a pooling effect on the floor and even covered the wall sconces with paper shades fringed with tinsel.
MANTEL DRAPED IN MEANING
As the focal point of the room, we wanted the fireplace mantel featuring President Lincoln’s portrait and President Adams’ inscribed blessing to softly spotlight an enduring wish for peace. With a few sculptural paper doves that “flew” from the nearby trees to nestle in the garland alongside origami stars and bright bannerol, our designs around the year’s theme of “A season of peace and light” came full circle.
TEAM CBP GOES TO WASHINGTON
After months of sketching and site visiting, planning and prototyping, crafting and constructing, Team CBP set off for DC. Teaming up with friends, old and new, we brought this whimsical utopia of paperie and confectionery goodness to life.
“MAYBE CHRISTMAS DOESN’T COME FROM A STORE. MAYBE CHRISTMAS, PERHAPS, MEANS A LITTLE BIT MORE.”
Thanks a million pieces of tinsel to Bryan Rafanelli and Dr. Biden for this once-in-a-lifetime assignment and to our collaborators at HMR Designs and the White House volunteer corps for working hand in hand with us. Being a part of this joy-making was an experience we’ll forever treasure.
