Text by Bethany Adams
It was always on Jackie Hempel’s list to restore a historic home. “That’s always been a dream,” she says. Which meant when she and her husband, Matt Kleker, came across an 1879 fixer-upper in the middle of record snowfall in Boston, Massachusetts, she was ready to go all in. “My husband walked in and then turned around and walked right back out, because he was so nervous about all of the work involved,” Jackie says.
Thankfully, Matt came around, and most of the needed updates turned out to be cosmetic. “For every wall that we’ve taken down, for every renovation we’ve taken on, the actual house is in such great shape that we’ve been really thankful,” Jackie says. Projects included restoring the original hardwood floors, replacing the windows, and expanding the primary bedroom, and the home is now an open space that welcomes the Christmas season with a particular spirit of festive beauty.
While most years, Jackie begins looking for color inspiration as early as August, this year, the holiday décor simply continued the warm browns and ambers of autumn. Velvet and satin ribbons embrace complementary accents like fresh greenery, vintage ornaments, and block-print wrapping paper from JSH Home Essentials. “I love [fresh] greenery, but I’ve learned where to put it and where not to put it,” Jackie says, noting difficulties in keeping it from drying out. To keep things lush all season, Jackie starts with lifelike faux pieces and weaves in fresh elements for a full, layered look.
The centerpiece of the family room is, without doubt, the tree that the Klekers cut down themselves at the White Mountains, set aglow with the winter sun and surrounded by taper candle wreaths from Terrain. A handful of newly bought stars and green ornaments join mercury glass garland and baubles in a palette of earth tones and coppers, and tiny ribbons affixed to the branches add subtle whimsy and visual variation.
Over the mantel, Jackie raised the garland to the ceiling, creating room for more taper candles and bells and framing the Serena & Lily mirror below. Vintage stockings pair with contemporary additions, all brought together with glittering gold letter ornaments. “We really love having our initials on our stockings,” Jackie notes.
More faux pine garland surrounds the window above the sink, contrasting with the warmth of the rose hip wreath that centers the space. The swag helps to highlight another draping above the range, which is backed by an antique painting, breadboard, and wreath.
On the backs of the caned barstools, Jackie attached clustered pine cones and ribbon for a creative, rustic touch that’s the perfect counterpoint to sophisticated gold lanterns and marble countertops.
Among the traditions Jackie and Matt enjoy sharing with their kids—Cade, Kai, and Aubrey—one of Jackie’s favorite parts of the season is coming together at the end of the day to enjoy the glow of the tree. “It’s just so magical at night,” Jackie says, adding that the intimate space invites evening gatherings. “It’s not big by any standards, but it has so many fun details that it’s a joy to be in.”
The same can be said of the house as a whole, which—both during Christmas and year-round—more than shows the love and care the Klekers put into creating a home worth dreaming about.
To see more of Jackie’s home, visit her blog at findinglovely.com.
