Henrietta Southam’s style could easily be described as eclectic, given the mixing of several décor elements and objects within her space. Yet, upon careful inspection, it is evident that each piece is prudently curated with the greatest attention to detail.
The well-travelled designer opened her home for the 2017 Homes for the Holidays tour in support of Hospice Care Ottawa. Her home is intriguing to say the least, and visitors are sure to be impressed with collections of family heirlooms like the Polish nativity set from her father, Hamilton Southam, who was appointed as Canada’s first Ambassador to Poland in the early 1960s.
Her holiday table is set with treasured collections including dishes, linens and silverware. Influences from her Norwegian mother are evident in several details such as the table runner. Mood Moss florist, the floral designer responsible for bringing festive florals to the home for the tour, honours Henrietta’s holiday style with traditional bouquets that include red roses.
Henrietta’s ailing mother is the catalyst for her involvement with this year’s tour. Henrietta has first-hand experience with the challenges that a patient can place on family members, and she applauds the work of hospice when she states, “Hospice care alleviates the burden of caring for a loved one while allowing you the time to just be with them.”
The backdrop of her home is ideally suited to the rich jewel tones of the festive season. Wallpaper in the front hall plays into her fondness for the woodsy elements of the season. The birch tree print with golden pears works beautifully with deep red, gold and wooden Christmas trees on display. The enchanting theme is continued throughout the New Edinburgh area home.
“I like spreading the cheer to all rooms and use primarily organic colors found in nature – acorns, berries, twigs and bark are favorite go-tos,” muses Henrietta.
Nature’s influence is a common theme carried from the front hall to the magnificent ensuite bath, where a dramatic drum fixture by Nicolette Brunklaus from Amsterdam hangs theatrically over the luxurious space. The entire home is a tribute to luxury, found in the details that are a nod to a lineage of charismatic style mingled with the ability to blend a mélange of collected pieces with modern finds. A patchwork dining table from Anthropologie complements the 17th century Flemish tapestry that hangs next to it.
“My style is a loose and playful mash up of collected treasures,” states Henrietta. “It translates sometimes as busy, but if you look closely it is all carefully edited and chosen with care of detail.”
You can contact the designer at henrietta@henriettasoutham.com. For more information on Homes for the Holiday, hospicecareottawa.ca
Mary Taggart
