Basket gift holiday oregon

Nestled among the evergreens on the banks of Oregon's Lake Oswego, Bob and Robin Endres' home has become the gathering place where loved ones are most relaxed. This mood is especially evident at Christmastime, when family and friends flock to their lakeside home to visit and share traditions.

An avid gardener who once owned a flower shop, Robin delights in using unexpected seasonal materials to set a festive tone for guests. Although her resourcefulness and imagination are on view year-round, Christmas is the time of year when the creative talent that informs her decorating shines. "From the home office to the toile guest quarters, every room is touched by this holiday," she says.

Her special blend of holiday magic is rooted in elements that elicit happy memories and connect her family. Yet her approach to decorating remains simple. "Less is definitely more," she says. "One blooming amaryllis in a terra-cotta pot and a basket of pinecones are more impressive than a lot of fussy knickknacks."

Robin personalizes little trees for her two sons, now in college, with favorite ornaments from their childhood. Rather than using new planters or containers, she mms to her collection of brown-and-white transferware and white pottery to inspire tablescapes and vignettes. Candles in the windowsills appear warm and cozy inside and out. Glass bowls brimming with vintage ornaments adorn bedroom nightstands with sheer shimmer.

Underscoring the easy elegance and quiet utility by which she decorates, Robin has only to step into her backyard for materials to add texture and interest to her compositions. "Bringing the outside into my winter world gets me through the few cold months until I'm back in the garden," she says.

Sprays of incense cedar, sprigs of berried ilex, and clusters of pinecones, which Robin gathers and weaves into her holiday decor, frame the sweeping views of the lake and its lush surroundings, opened up by a recent home remodel. Originally a summer cabin built in 1927, the house had retained a dark, campy feel and the Endres family had outgrown the small, boxy rooms. The couple wanted to create more space and lighten up within the original footprint, so as to keep the lakefront structure unimposing.

Building out the basement to house their sons comfortably when they return for visits and to accommodate overnight guests was the first step. A third-floor addition, composed of a 1,200-square-foot master bedroom and bath, was designed to function as a private apartment so Robin and Bob can retreat even when the house is full. To open up the main level as a hub of activity and entertaining, and to facilitate the flow from room to room, the Endreses enlisted the help of interior designer Tina Barclay.

Barclay helped the couple create a creamy eggshell backdrop with accents of deep chocolate and crisp white, a rich but neutral foil for Robin's collections and seasonal arrangements. Smaller doses of color loosely divide the long, narrow space into separate zones.

The result, a modern twist on classic design, indulges Robin's passion for decorating and entertaining, whether she's hosting a party of 50 or an intimate dinner for four. Her focus on keeping things simple and natural translates into an easygoing ambience that puts family and friends at ease. "It's a space where my immediate and extended family can come and feel comfortable, and children can careen through with toys," Robin says.

For Robin, the joy in decorating for Christmas is almost as much fun as when the house buzzes with family and friends. She invites neighbors over to craft ornaments and decorations, and transforms her garden room into a wrapping center (off-limits until all gifts have been tucked under the tree).

"Some of my favorite time leading up to Christmas is spent in here, thinking about my family and listening to holiday CDs," Robin says. "This is my gift to my family, a place where they enjoy gathering, revisiting traditions, sharing good times, and creating new memories."