Our final Tastemaker introduction of this holiday season is Jenny Bohannon who is recognized throughout the social media world for her penchant for all things grandmillenial and vintage. A Washington D.C. area blogger and the creative behind Instagram account @tallwoodcountryhouse, Jenny celebrates restored vintage interiors, fine country living, and style rooted in the past a là Jackie Kennedy. She is a go-to source for interiors, flowers and tablescapes, demonstrated by her many brand collaborations and features of her northern Virginia estate, Tallwood Country House, with its beautifully appointed rooms and its popular ducks, goats and kittens.
Jenny was paired with Dogwood Hill artist Shanna Masters who created the artwork for Jenny’s tastemaker collection entitled “Grisaille.” “Jenny’s Instagram feed showcases her English Country Vintage style, and that is just what she wanted for her Tastemaker suite. Jenny envisioned classic Christmas elements, but with a modern sensibility. She wanted her suite to touch on the bountiful Christmases of colonial America, as well as classic design elements from her own home. I really enjoyed working with Jenny, and bringing her vision to life,” Shanna said.
The mood board Jenny created for Shanna is below as well as an in-process artwork shot of Shanna creating the grisaille rendering of the Italian villa from a mural in Jenny’s personal dining room.
Continue scrolling for a preview of Jenny’s tastemaker collection (the entire Grisaille collection can be shopped here) and to read our Holiday Q&A with Jenny.
What do you love most about the holiday season?
So many things, but especially the nostalgia of Christmas concerts and classic Christmas movies!
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching It’s A Wonderful Live the night before Christmas Eve with my husband.
If you had to pick one holiday movie to use as inspiration to decorate your own house, what would it be?
That is a tough one, but probably either White Christmas (Classic) or The Holiday (Modern).
What is a holiday tradition that you wish you could do all year long?
Attend The Nutcracker ballet.
What is your most memorable holiday and why?
Definitely those our family spent out of town at my grandmother’s house when I was a girl. My mother didn’t allow us to watch much TV at home, but was more lenient when we were at my grandmother’s house for Christmas – a lenience my sister and I responsibly used to sneak off and watch Baywatch, lol.
Which cards will you be sending out to family and friends this holiday?
Stay tuned, but I honestly don’t know how I’ll ever choose – Literally obsessed with the entire collection!
What is your go-to holiday hostess gift?
Most often a lovely seasonal candle from Anthropologie!
What kind of holiday shopper are you – Black Friday, Christmas Eve, or year long stasher?
Somewhere in between a Black Friday and Christmas Eve shopper – in my dreams, I’m a yearlong stasher, but I’m terrible at keeping secrets (my children will tell you), and so I usually end up finding another reason to give a present, if I happen to come across one early, lol.
What keeps you inspired during the busy holiday season?
Remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season and reminding myself that getting that truth across to my children is really all that matters.
What brings you a sense of calm during the busy holiday season?
Handel’s Messiah – my favorite EVER!
Are you team real tree or faux tree?
I’m team just make sure you have a tree, lol. Seriously though, we have multiple trees each season – often at least one of each!
Are you team white lights or colored lights?
My husband will tell you….I am passionately team white lights, lol!
What is your favorite holiday dessert? Would you be open to sharing the recipe?
My mother makes the loveliest meringues!
Bake While You Sleep Meringue Cookies – makes 4 dozen
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
2/3 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup chopped nutmeats
1 cup chocolate or peanut butter chips
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat egg whites until foamy. Add sugar and beat until stuff. Add salt, nuts, chips, and vanilla. Mix well. Line large cookie sheet with foil. Drop by teaspoonful on prepared cookie sheet. Place in oven and TURN OFF HEAT IMMEDIATELY. Leave in closed oven overnight.
Is there one holiday entertaining hack or secret you can share?
Hire out the food and enjoy your guests!
Who is on your dream holiday party guest? If applicable, please share their Instagram handles.
Grace Kelly, though I would settle for the Duchess of Cambridge, lol.
What are you most thankful for this year? And what are you most looking forward to in the New Year?
I am most thankful that we have been able to live through a most difficult period in our history with joy and pray we will be equipped to do the same the in the coming year.
Styled Card Photography by Mary Margaret Smith Photography.