Photos by Michael Woodall At the home’s entry, velvet runners, wrapped presents and lit candles make guests feel welcome. Hanging under the canopy of a magnolia tree is a Retro Spaghetti Globe Lamp in aqua. Tucked within the foliage and lining the walkway are white globe lights.

A Property’s Mid-Century Modern Setting Gets a Holiday Makeover

When Troy Bankord was asked to enhance the outdoor living areas of a client’s residence for Hanukkah, he had no qualms. Having previously designed the landscape and hardscaped areas, he knew the homeowners well and based the underlying theme on the Mid-century Modern style of their home.

“I wanted to create something swanky and mod with an unexpectedly hip twist,” says the environmental designer. He jazzed up the patios with tassels, ribbon, apples and pillows in shades of green, then added Mid-century Modern accessories, and wrapped dinner favors and votives in varying shades of blue. A family menorah speaks to the homeowners’ Jewish heritage.

“Given the edgy vibe of the property, I took the blue-and-white color scheme often used in Hanukkah settings and gave it a twist by incorporating aqua and turquoise hues reminiscent of the ’50s and ’60s,” explains the Phoenix Home & Garden Master of the Southwest. “For organic punch, I added accessories in kiwi, lime and sour-apple greens for an electric vibe. The green is a nice tie-in with the garden and complements the blue.”

Jewish holiday decor traditionally incorporates chrome or gold, notes Bankord, and the couple’s outdoor chrome dining table fit in perfectly with the look he was after. He adorned it with white dinnerware in simple geometric shapes similar to those found in the house and garden. White orchids provide an elegant touch and allow guests to see across the table while conversing, he explains. “And I used tight pavé arrangements of white carnations on the table—a look I love because it is familiar, and reminiscent of the past.”

Walls of glass in the front and rear of the residence make an indoor/outdoor connection that draws guests to explore the gardens, and an expansive hardscape provides various destinations to sit and enjoy a drink. “The white stone patios throughout the property offer a beautiful, clean canvas for the color and chrome to pop and create a festive holiday feel,” Bankord remarks.