Text by Elizabeth Czapski
When Courtney and Nathan Davey discovered their charming 1979 Cape Cod-style cottage in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Courtney, the designer and blogger behind Tuft & Trim, immediately saw its potential for their family. Though the home was dark and dated, she knew its traditional floor plan and classic architectural elements, such as dentil molding, wood beams, and a double brick fireplace, were a strong foundation to build her distinctive vision upon.
“My goal for this home was to do all I could to help it reach its full potential,” Courtney says. “I love the traditional design and wanted to come alongside it and highlight its character while also making it our own. My personal taste tends to lean toward French and European antiques, so the interior style became a romantic blend of French and traditional characteristics.”
As soon as they got the keys, the Daveys set to work on updates, and at the top of the list was brightening everything up. The results of this process begin with a limewashed exterior and a front door and shutters painted in the home’s signature sage green with Evergreen Fog by Sherwin-Williams—both of which harmonize effortlessly with garland draped around the entrance, lit wreaths hung in every window, and icicle lights strung along the roofline this wonderful time of year.
The aesthetic in the entryway is a natural continuation of the exterior, with the upper portion of two-tone walls cloaked in Contented by Sherwin-Williams, a slightly more subdued companion to the shade on the front door—a color thread that Courtney wove throughout the home. “When it comes to color schemes, I like to keep them somewhat consistent, so it flows room to room,” she explains.
And she uses this same approach for her Christmas décor. “Each year, I start by finding a source of inspiration,” Courtney says. “I often use mixed holiday greenery for the color contrast in a neutral space, and in other rooms, I may introduce another soft tone on top of that. The past few years, I’ve picked a color scheme to implement through decorative ribbon, gift wrap, and throw pillows,” she says of themes like the informal living room’s French blue Christmas motif. “Gold seems to be the ribbon that ties it all together.”
Courtney has several special seasonal embellishments she looks forward to pulling out every December and displaying in new ways. This year, she chose to give a sentimental Nativity scene—a gift for her wedding held a few days before Christmas—pride of place in the foyer. “The home wouldn’t be ready for Christmas without a Nativity scene,” she says. “In our entry, I love that it is the first thing people see when they walk in.”
Just beyond, the formal living room is awash in creamy hues and, of course, sage green. Elegantly enduring furnishings and fixtures are balanced with whimsical accents. “I try to find unique and timeless pieces that make a statement and pair them with subtle touches to soften the look,” Courtney says. “I may have a vibrant floral pillow taking center stage, but alongside it, I’ll use textures or a classic plaid to complement it. Creating a cozy environment is a priority to me, so soft textures, warm lighting, and a space plan that flows are important.”
Seasonal trimmings are a natural extension of the elevated ambience with a tree decked in a beaded sage silk ribbon and gold baubles, as well as details like a wavy bowl on the coffee table brimming with Lenox ornaments passed down from Courtney’s grandmother.
Across the way, the informal living room hosts the family’s favorite Fraser fir, where Courtney diverged from her go-to green and decorated the space with a coordinating French blue seen in bows of velvet ribbon on the tree and mantel, Wedgwood jasperware ornaments gathered in dishes atop the ottoman, and botanical accent pillows. “This was a bit outside my color comfort zone, but I really love how it turned out,” she says.
The dining room and kitchen are light and airy with neutral aesthetics that Courtney keeps simple and organic during the holidays, using greenery, flowers, and a few classic accompaniments such as tabletop trees and Christmas china. Inspired by the floral Schumacher fabric on the bed’s throw pillows, the primary bedroom resumes the scheme of the main living spaces with a beautiful flocked tree swathed in the same ribbon used on the formal living room’s and more subtle champagne gold accessories. “The silk embroidered ribbon was the inspiration behind the holiday look and blends perfectly with the dupioni silk sage drapes behind the tree,” Courtney says.
“While our home tends to lean toward traditional style, it has a unique color palette, which makes it stand apart from most,” she continues. “I love that when you walk through each room, the soft colors play off each other but have slight differences to keep every room interesting.” And it’s no surprise that this palette lends itself impeccably to Christmas flourishes, given Courtney’s longtime enchantment with the magical season. “Since I was a little girl, I was fascinated with decorating for Christmas,” she says, “and it’s been such a gift to be able to share my passion with others.”
For more information, visit @tuftandtrim on Instagram.
