Ever since her earliest childhood memories, Sherrie Brant has loved Christmas. In fact, Brant relishes the season so much that wall colors and permanent furnishings are selected to complement her Christmas décor. Even her college and work experience helped hone her holiday decorating skills.
“Through the years, I have celebrated Christmas by gathering together with now five generations of family and friends. There is such beauty and enthusiasm generated during this special time of year. Our grown children and grandchildren come home, and we never miss this time together. Children love all of the pomp and circumstance here. We are all about Christmas in this house.” – Sherrie Brant
“I started out as an art major and then decided to go into architecture,” Brant says. “My first job out of college was with Lobel, Schulman & Bennett architectural firm, and then I was hired by the Furniture Mart in Chicago. When my husband and I moved to Jefferson City, I started freelancing architectural design, and it was then that I started going to market. At market I learned how to improvise and make things that are not expensive or hard to create. I use a lot of those skills today in my own home and especially when putting up Christmas. Additionally, all of my wall colors and fabrics are chosen so that they, too, enhance the holiday decorations.”
Every corner of Brant’s home is filled with holiday cheer, and her motivation for creating this spectacular display is to have a festive surrounding where family and friends can gather together, enjoy their time and be thankful.
“Through the years, I have celebrated Christmas by gathering together with now five generations of family and friends,” Brant says. “There is such beauty and enthusiasm generated during this special time of year. Our grown children and grandchildren come home, and we never miss this time together. Children love all of the pomp and circumstance here. We are all about Christmas in this house.”
Besides hosting family, Brant does her yearly entertaining during this season, which includes hosting at least five events at her home. Starting in November, her husband, Tom, begins bringing down decorations from the attic so that Brandt can sort through them to see what needs replacement. By the end of November, their home is fully decorated, and the beginning of December kicks off a month of entertaining.
“We had an elevator installed so that bringing the boxes up and down is easier,” Brant says. “This past year, Tom mentioned that we may not be able to keep this up in a few more years. I have already decided to hire someone once we need more help. Cutting down on decorating is not an option. I have our home fully decorated some time in November so we can enjoy it longer, and the first of December is when the parties begin.”
“Cutting down on decorating is not an option. I have our home fully decorated some time in November so they we can enjoy it longer, and the first of December is when the parties begin.” — Sherrie Brant
Because of her extensive travels throughout the United States and abroad, Brant has acquired several different collections.
“My husband and I enjoy traveling,” Brant says, “so I take inspiration from beautiful things and customs that can be found in all parts of the world. I love all kinds of colored glass. I collect Christopher Radko ornaments, nesting eggs and hand-painted wooden boxes. I adore the Kurt S. Adler Polonaise collection for both ornaments and the spectacular Santa collection. These Santas have the most magnificent outfits and hand-painted faces. I finally had to tell people not to give me any more. There just wasn’t room for one more Santa.”
