Brendan Chipley Roane has a one-up on the rest of us when it comes to holiday decorating: his mom is an interior designer. “I grew up watching her rearrange rooms and experiment with color. I inherited that gene!” he says.
Okay, so actually, he has a two-up, if there is such a thing: as one of the premiere marketing/public relations/event planning execs in the state, he has under his belt 20-plus years creating unique experiences and garnering substantial attention for his clients, including local icons such as Gracie’s, Local 121, the Dean Hotel, Providence G Pub, and Sarto, as well as events such as PVD Fest and RI Pride Fest.
Now it’s November, the month where Chipley Roane takes his talents home to his circa-1955 single-family on the West Side of Providence, where he’s lived for the past decade. Every year, as his Thanksgiving leftovers disappear, he transforms the space, he shares with his Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Raina, into a holiday wonderland of sorts.
He starts with the bones. Chipley Roane’s walls and furniture are from multiple eras – especially early to mid-20th-century wood pieces – and give the rooms texture and soul. Then there are the lamps – more than 20, by his count – and a menagerie of decorative animals: monkeys, giraffes, and lizards. “I rotate them constantly,” Chipley Roane says. “It’s like having my own little safari at home.” Artwork adds another personal layer. His father, a musician and painter, and his sister, a ceramic artist, both have work displayed throughout the apartment. All these components will play a role in Chipley Roane’s strategy for holiday decorating. “It’s like setting a stage,” he explains. “Use what you have, but move things into different spaces.”
And his holiday spirit runs deep. “When I was little, I saved up my allowance to buy a Christmas tree for my sister and me to keep in the basement,” he recalls. “I wanted to decorate it my way. I even put on little Christmas shows for the family,” he adds, laughing. These early memories shaped his love for creating warmth and joy during the holidays. “Now, decorating is how I tap into that feeling every year.”
“Like clockwork, I start decorating the day after Thanksgiving,” he says. “It’s my favorite ritual of the year. I pour a glass of wine, put on the NSYNC Christmas album – yes, really – and take my time. I love decorating alone because it’s peaceful. It gives me space to be creative and just enjoy the process.” Chipley Roane goes full-on Christmas – “elegant, classic, but never overdone,” he says. “Gold accents, red and green throughout, and always white lights. Always.”
His approach to decorating is both artistic and emotional. “It’s not just about how it looks – it’s how it feels,” he explains. “I’ll hang an ornament or place a candle and then just sit with it for a minute. I pour another glass of wine, look around, and make sure the room feels right.”
Over the years, he’s produced some of Providence’s most anticipated holiday and New Year’s Eve events. “This year’s extra special,” he says. “It’s my first full holiday season running my own company, so I’m focused on helping small businesses and nonprofits host meaningful celebrations.”
Still, he finds time to savor the season for himself – from shopping on Westminster Street for gifts to strolling through the city’s glowing streets at night. “There’s something magical about Providence in December,” he says. “The lights, the small shops, the sense of community – it’s everything I love about living here.”
Decorate at night, Chipley Roane says. It’s when the lights come on and everything comes to life, plus you can really see how your decorations will look when you’re entertaining. Blank spots will make themselves known, and you can perfect the look. Plus, he says, it’s festive and relaxing.
Chipley Roane isn’t a big-box consumer when it comes to Christmas decorating. He loves to peruse roadside stands for his tree, poinsettias, and greens, and visit Lincoln Woods for pinecones. If you must buy an item in bulk – string lights, for example – go online. Don’t underestimate online sites, he says, which can offer substantial savings over big-box retail outlets.
When it comes to entertaining, Chipley Roane suggests keeping it personal and cozy. Use a real tree, real greens for scent, lots of candles, and music that sets the tone. Get out the fancy and festive serving pieces. Don’t even think about paper plates. Use cloth napkins. It will make guests feel special. Learn more about Brendan’s work at BCRCreativeRelations.com.
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