Welcome to TGP Tidbits where we round up the happenings and our musings of the design industry each week. This week we take a look at holiday cheer at Cheekwood, timeless tradition with Libby Hunt, and Emmie Ruth’s Artful Approach to the Christmas Table. Written by Natalie Aldridge.
Holiday Cheer at Cheekwood
Built in the late 1920s as the country estate of Leslie and Mabel Cheek, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens reflects a distinctly American sense of elegance, shaped by classical architecture, cultivated landscapes, and a longstanding love of the arts. Today, the Georgian-style mansion and its gardens are among Nashville’s most cherished landmarks, where history, horticulture, and design all become one. Each winter, Cheekwood leans fully into the season, transforming its interiors into a Christmas wonderland, with each room being its own festive moment.
Images courtesy of John Neitzel.
This year’s holiday presentation, Gifts of the Garden, draws inspiration directly from the landscape itself. Throughout the mansion, festive décor unfolds room by room, weaving garlands, florals, and natural elements into the historic interiors in a way that feels intentional rather than overdone. The emphasis is on craftsmanship and storytelling, with each space having its own interpretation of the season while remaining true to the spirit of the house.
Nowhere is this more beautifully realized than in the dining room, where former White House Chief Floral Designer Laura Dowling fully embraces the room’s rich pink walls and classical bones, using them as a springboard for something joyful and unexpected. Rather than tempering the color, she leans into it, layering soft pink ornaments, pale blues, and an abundance of florals that feel at once romantic and playful. Trees and arrangements spill organically across the table and into the space beyond, softening the room’s formality and amplifying the whimsical nature of the architecture. The result is celebratory and elegant, but never rigid. A dining room alive with color, movement, and the promise of a truly magical Christmas.
Timeless Tradition with Libby Hunt
Christmas at Libby Hunt’s Dallas home is rooted in tradition, but never feels stiff. Purchased from the estate of Governor Bill Clements and his wife Rita, the classically designed house was built around 2000 by architect Richard Drummond Davis and the interiors were done by Gloria Nicoud. The home’s Neo-Classical and Georgian Revival bones have been lovingly preserved, with Libby and her husband David adding their own layers over time alongside designer Perry Henderson.
One of Libby’s favorite spaces is the dining room, wrapped in the iconic Zuber War of Independence wallpaper depicting scenes from the American Revolution, the same paper famously found in the White House. Its richly detailed backdrop sets the stage beautifully for the holidays. At Christmas, the home’s traditional spirit comes to life through a classic red-and-gold palette and decorations that feel collected rather than themed. A cherished Fontanini Nativity, originally a wedding gift, anchors the season, while Reed & Barton silver ornaments gleam on the mantel and vintage glass balls gather at the center of the dining table.
But what truly brings the house to life are the traditions it holds. Each year, Libby and David’s family gathers for a buffet dinner followed by a Christmas pageant performed by the children, a tradition now joyfully carried on by a new generation. The celebration continues with a white elephant gift exchange and a pajama party. Between the timeless décor and these meaningful traditions, Libby’s home is one filled with incredible Christmas memories.
Click here to follow Libby on Instagram and here to see her Christmas shopping guide as one of TGP’s 2025 Christmas Tastemakers!
Emmie Ruth’s Artful Approach to the Christmas Table
For artist and designer Emmie Ruth, Christmas decorating is less about a formal tablescape and more about creating a living painting. Her holiday table feels like a still life brought to life, layered and painterly, with candles, seasonal fruit, greenery, and collected objects arranged with an instinctive hand. Nothing feels overly styled, yet everything comes together with the quiet harmony of a Renaissance painting.
Emmie approaches the table as an evolving composition, one that shifts as pieces are added, moved, and enjoyed throughout the season. It is a reminder that some of the most beautiful Christmas tables are deeply personal, shaped by an artist’s eye and an appreciation for the poetry of everyday objects.
View this post on Instagram
Read our favorite articles of the week!
A Floral Stylist and Writer’s Georgian Terraced House in East London written by Amy Merrick for House and Garden.
Turn Gifts Into Works of Art With These Gorgeous Wrapping Essentials written by Jill Simpson for Frederic.
Shop this week’s inspired finds!
x Natalie
Follow TGP on Instagram: @theglampad
Follow Natalie on Instagram: @natalieealdridge
